'Stepford Wives' Party

Throw a fest for 4 to 6 guests

If you're a fan of camp-horror film, you've probably seen the 1975 classic "The Stepford Wives." The frilly-apron-clad, girdle-cinched title characters were uberhausfraus -- creepy, robotic paragons of domesticity -- whose presence signaled recently arrived feminist neighbors to beware: Something was very, very wrong in suburban New York.

Later this week, a Frank Oz-directed remake -- set in the present day and billed as a comedy -- arrives in theaters, starring Nicole Kidman and Bette Midler. What better time, I thought, to host a "Stepford" screening. It was the perfect excuse for a party, and my friends and I needed to bone up before catching the new version.

My celebration of suburban servitude centered on that '70s-era dinnertime staple: the no-fuss casserole. It makes so many appearances in the film, it nearly warrants a credit. I selected a ritzy crab and artichoke number, ideally suited to the upscale denizens of Stepford, featuring a variant of crab imperial sauce. Don't be shy about adding extra cayenne and paprika; their intensity dissipates once the sauce is drizzled over layers of crab and sauteed mushrooms. A liberal dose of grated parmesan on top adds a salty zing.

Early on the day of the party, I made the casserole and a side of wild rice (to help cut the main dish's creaminess) and popped them in the fridge for reheating later. I also prepared a spread of other party staples, including shrimp cocktail and Toll House cookies. As for drinks, I went with Riesling and, of course, whiskey -- when the movie's heroines, Joanna and Bobbie, powwow about "consciousness raising," they do it over bourbon, neat.

Since outfits figure so prominently in the film, I entreated guests to dress up. To go over the ladies' frocks we ordered frilly aprons off eBay, and the gents arrived in sport coats, turtlenecks and jumbo-wingspan collars. Entranced by the film and overwhelmed by the tastiness of my dish, my friends chanted alongside robowife Carol Van Sant when her wiring went awry at a garden party. Again and again, the women and men begged, "I'll die if I don't get this recipe." What more could a hostess want? Jessica Dawson

Crabmeat Casserole

Ingredients

1 tablespoon vegetable oil

1/2 pound fresh crimini mushrooms, quartered, stems on

14-ounce can artichoke hearts in water, drained

1 pound lump crabmeat

4 tablespoons ( 1/2 stick) butter

2 1/2 tablespoons flour

1 cup table cream

1/2 teaspoon salt