I love the James Hurley and Evelyn Marsh story arc. I didn’t at first but after my first 29 1/2 hour Twin Peaks marathon in 1994, the story grew on me. Perhaps it was the nod to 1950s cinema or the dialogue between James, Evelyn and Malcolm Sloan. From Episodes 2011 to 2015, the action takes places at the Marsh Mansion. This Setting the Stage article takes a look at the exteriors from this film location.
The mansion where many of the exterior scenes were shot is a private residence located at 4825 Louise Avenue in Encino, California. I searched everywhere for location photos but all I could find were these aerial views courtesy of Google Maps.
This location was used in a couple of other television shows. This incredible ImNotAStalker.com website provided a detailed look at television shows that used this home including Beverly Hills, 90210 (sadly they are missing Twin Peaks). The screen caps above are from “April is the Cruelest Month” (Episode 19 from Season 1), which featured a pre-Friends Matthew Perry playing Roger Azarian.
Here’s a look at where some of the action took place outside the home in season 2.
Most of the scenes were shot either on the front, side or driveway of the Encino home. Let’s take a closer look at these scenes.
EPISODE 2011
The first time we see the exterior of Marsh Mansion is in Episode 2011. This establishing shot cuts to James working on a car in the garage.
Evelyn speaks with James as he repairs Jeffrey Marsh’s 1948 Jaguar 2 1/2 Litre Drophead Coupe Mark IV in the garage. This scene appears to be shot in the three car garage located behind the house.
EPISODE 2012
Another establishing shot of the Marsh Mansion is used in Episode 2012. This one is a slightly wider angle than the shot used in the previous episode (notice the moon in the upper right corner). The scene cuts to Malcolm Sloan and James Hurley speaking in the guest bedroom.
Later in the episode, we return to the garage.
While enjoying beer, James and Evelyn share their first kiss until interrupted by Jeffrey Marsh’s return.
We see Jeffrey exit his car from the garage (which confirms the scenes were shot on location versus a set). You can see the Jaguar hood ornament in the foreground.
Evelyn fixes her make up and excuses herself to meet Jeffrey. James is seen in the passenger seat while he watches their reunion.
Evelyn meets Jeffrey on the sidewalk by the house where they share a kiss.
James watches the kiss from the driver seat of the Jaguar as the scene ends.
The first nighttime exterior shot is also found in Episode 2012. A lightening storm wakes James who is sleeping the guest bedroom that is supposedly above the garage. The back of the house is shown through hatched glass.
Yet I believe these shots were captured by using a bucket truck and placing hatched glass in front of the lens. Why? As we’ll see later in the episode, there is no second floor above the garage.
Additionally, it looks like the guest bedroom may be found on the second floor of the house. Granted I’m still leaning toward this being a set. The lighting, however, reveals a corner detail of the home (bottom photo) which means James could be staring out the window of the bedroom onto the driveway (top photo). Without interior reference photos, I’ve been unable to confirm.
EPISODE 2013
We return to the garage in Episode 2013 where James speaks with Evelyn about the Jeffrey situation. This is the same garage where James was seen fixing the Jaguar.
Later in Episode 2013, James escorts a blindfolded Evelyn from the front of the house to the driveway.
He leaves blindfolded Evelyn with Champagne flutes standing in the middle of the driveway.
James stands on the Jaguar with Champagne bottle in hand. The three-car garage is seen behind him. Notice how there is no second floor and no hatched window in which to capture that earlier angle seen in Episode 2012.
They share a toast which turns into a romantic tryst on the front fender of the Jaguar. The camera pulls back (probably on a wheeled dolly) to reveal Malcolm Sloan watching the dangerous liaison.
EPISODE 2014
Episode 2014 returns again to the three-car garage with a pan of a 1974 Rolls Royce Shadow I, a 1959 Chevrolet Corvette C1 (first seen parked outside Wallies Hideout) and the Jaguar that James is repairing.
You can also see James’ motorcycle parked next to the Jaguar in this scene.
We are then introduced to Nike jogging suit-wearing Jeffrey Marsh who is carrying a familiar looking silver briefcase. Wait a second…
Is Jeffrey Marsh actually a FBI Agent? His briefcase appears to match cases seen in Episodes 1002 and 2015. Nah … the case was probably just an easy-to-use prop hanging around.
James and Jeffrey speak for a few moments as repairs to the Jaguar are being completed.
Jeffrey climbs into the Jaguar after saying goodbye to Evelyn.
Jeffrey Marsh drives away down the driveway past the spot where the car was parked in Episode 2013 for the romantic rendezvous.
Evelyn watches her husband leave the house for the last time.
The same exterior establishing shot first seen in Episode 2011 is used again. The action cuts to the guest bedroom where James and Evelyn speak. James suddenly feels the urge to check on his bike.
Later in the episode after Donna meets Evelyn at Wallies Hideout, an anguished James Hurley is seen in the Marsh’s three-car garage while “Just You and I” plays in the background.
Evelyn speaks with James in the guest bedroom. He realizes he’s been set up to take the fall for Jeffrey’s murder. Evelyn encourages him to run. There are scenes of police cars arriving at the Marsh Mansion. Interestingly, the view is the same as Episode 2012 during the rainstorm. Most likely these scenes were probably shot at the same time as that rainstorm scene between Malcolm and James. Why else would the ground be wet?
James sneaks out of the house and is surprised to find Donna Hayward. Together they run off into the darkness as Evelyn Marsh speaks with the police officers.
EPISODE 2015
Another nighttime establishing shot of the side of the Marsh Mansion is seen in Episode 2015. Notice the ground is still wet so they probably shot this at the same time as the aerial shots seen in Episodes 2011 and 2014.
The final exterior shot has Donna Hayward peeking through a window as Malcolm and Evelyn plot to kill James.
Most likely, she was looking to a bay window on the front of the house. Notice the same curved window and carpet found in that aforementioned Beverly Hills, 90210 episode.
My dream one day is to visit this actual film location. Until then, I will just have to settle for Music to Frame James Hurley By.
