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 Noir cinema or the dialogue between James, Evelyn and Malcolm Sloan. From episodes 2.011 to 2.015, the action takes places at the Marsh Mansion. This Setting the Stage article takes a look at the exteriors from this film location.
WHERE IS THE MARSH MANSION LOCATED?
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 the site is 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.
MARSH MANSION IN TWIN PEAKS EPISODE 2.011
The first time we see the exterior of Marsh Mansion is in episode 2.011. 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.
In the script written by Barry Pullman, the Jeffrey Marsh’s car is a Dusenberg, not a Jaguar.
INT. OPEN GARAGE – DAY
James and Evelyn stand beside her husband’s Dusenberg up on blocks.
EVELYN
I got a garage man to come out yesterday. Not that I understood a single word he said. Something vague about the front axle? He said he’ll have to order it from God knows where.
JAMES
(looking under the car)
Germany. Your garage man’s playing it safe. I can put this right. God, it’s really beautiful.
The scene picks up with James saying “I can put this right.” I assume the filmed the other part as the edit seems abrupt.
The scripted dialogue mirrors the onscreen action except Evelyn calls out that the Jaguar was manufactured in 1948. If they had used a Dusenberg as scripted, she would have said the car was manufactured in 1923.
Evelyn asks James if he cares for his bike like her husband Jeffrey who wants to have the most unique and beautiful things. James responds with an iconic line from season two.
JAMES
(grins)
It’s not a place. It’s a feeling.
(coming up from the car, looking out at the road)
Sometimes riding at night, I punch off my headlight, turn up the throttle and just go for it.
Instead of saying “just go for it,” James uses the phrase, “…and just rocket blind into the dark.”
The scene ends like the scripted action with James staring out from the garage after Evelyn leaves.
James glances at her, feeling this fresh allure. She turns and starts away. James wonders a little at her tone, and what he might be getting himself into.
MARSH MANSION IN TWIN PEAKS EPISODE 2.012
Another establishing shot of the Marsh Mansion is used in episode 2.012. 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 where there is an entire scripted exchange that is missing. The Jaguar was still listed as a Dusenberg and Evelyn brought a six-pack of beer with limes.
INT. EVELYN’S GARAGE – DAY
James works below the Dusenberg on a sled. EVELYN MARSH moves into the room. James sneaks a look as she walks towards the car; she wears an opened blouse and cut off jeans. She carries a six pack of beer and limes. James slides the sled out.
EVELYN
Coffee break?
JAMES
Sounds great. Give me just a second.
James slides back under for a moment. Evelyn drifts to the window, stands in the sunlight.
EVELYN
It’s so hot today. Feels like Indian summer. Can you have Indian summer in the spring?
JAMES
I don’t know why not.
She turns back, as James comes out from under the car.
EVELYN
I love the sun. Feels like it could just burn away all your troubles. Wouldn’t that be nice?
JAMES
(takes a pull on the beer)
I guess.
EVELYN
You’ve got troubles, don’t you? Maybe someday we should tell each other all our sad stories.
JAMES
That could take a while.
EVELYN
(pause)
You must be absolutely fried working under there.
JAMES
Not so bad. Here, look.
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 2.012.
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.
MARSH MANSION IN TWIN PEAKS EPISODE 2.013
We return to the garage in episode 2.013 where James speaks with Evelyn about the Jeffrey situation. This is the same garage where James was seen fixing the Jaguar.
Later in episode 2.013, 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 2.012.
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.
MARSH MANSION IN TWIN PEAKS EPISODE 2.014
Episode 2.014 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 1.002 and 2.015. 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 2.011 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 2.012 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.
MARSH MANSION IN TWIN PEAKS EPISODE 2.015
Another nighttime establishing shot of the side of the Marsh Mansion is seen in episode 2.015. Notice the ground is still wet so they probably shot this at the same time as the aerial shots seen in episodes 2.011 and 2.014.
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.
