Barbara Briggs-Anderson

On September 2, 1941, Salvador and Gala Dali were photographed as the honored guests and creative force behind the party of the century, “A Surrealistic Night in an Enchanted Forest” at Hotel Del Monte in Monterey, California. The book chronicles the behind the scenes planning and photographs not seen since the early 1940’s by capturing the essences of the iconic party designed by Dali highlighted by newspaper and magazine quotes. Included in the photographs are the elaborate preparations of the Bali Room with Dali assisting with the decorations for the party. There are photographs of Gala and Salvador getting dress in their costumes with Dali’s explanation of his costume’s conception. During the party, Gala (Princess of the Forest) is seen in a huge bed, where she lays in repose on top of a very long dining table with a six month old lion cub in her lap. Bob Hope, 17 year old Gloria Vanderbilt, California Poet Robinsons Jeffers and the other guests were literally and figuratively to dine and feast in bed with Gala. The photographs reveal the party guests’ outlandish outfits, the scandalous wrecked car with the nude sleeping woman, and the “Dance of Death” which Dali also choreographed. Dali’s creative genius at his finest!