Japanese Souvenir Program for Twin Peaks – Fire Walk With Me

Twin Peaks: Fire Walk With Me continues to be one of my favorite David Lynch films. I’m what you would call an “obsessive super-fan” of this film, and I’ve made it a goal to document as much as possible about the film on this blog. That’s why I’m particularly excited to share a 1992 souvenir program from the film’s release in Japan. This 30-page book is filled with lots of treasures Twin Peaks fans will love.

TWIN PEAKS: FIRE WALK WITH ME – JAPANESE SOUVENIR PROGRAM

Thanks to a tweet from Twin Peaks Archive, I picked up a copy of this program via eBay for $12.50 (with shipping). It arrived directly from Japan in excellent condition (only minor wear on the cover and spine).

Japanese Souvenir Program
Cover

The cover of the book lists the original script / film title: Twin Peaks: Fire Walk With Me / Teresa Banks and the Last Seven Days of Laura Palmer. It also has cutout letters above the photo that spell, “Answers to the Mystery of the World’s Most Beautiful Corpse.” Um … okay.

Reinig Road in Snoqualmie, Washington
Reinig Road in Snoqualmie, Washington

Before discussing this book, it’s important to understand just how much fans in Japan loved Twin Peaks. According to a Los Angeles Times article from June 1992, the film (and series) was wildly popular:

“Since its premiere in Japan on May 16, ticket sales for the movie have reached 450,000; it is expected to run through the summer.

‘We’re booked into more than 100 theaters around Japan,’ says Taku Ushiyama of Nippon Herald Films Inc., the movie’s Japanese distributor. ‘That’s the equivalent of a 2,000-theater release in the U.S. This is going to be one of the top 10 films of the year.'”

White Tail Falls - Snoqualmie Falls
Inside Cover – Snoqualmie Falls (White Tail Falls in the series)

It’s been a challenge to trace the history of this souvenir program. I attempted using the camera feature in Google Translate to decipher the text. Sadly, it wasn’t much help. Most likely, the program was available during the film’s initial release and served as a wonderful companion for fans of the series. The image above is found on the inside cover. I combined the two separate pages  to get the gorgeous shot of Snoqualmie Falls.

Page 2 - Laura Palmer
Page 2

The book begins with an “Explanation,” probably providing background about the world of Twin Peaks. I love the “Key Word 1” in the blue box – “It was a dream. We live inside a dream.” Who knew back then that the phrase would be an important part of Season 3 on Showtime?

Laura Palmer wrapped in plastic.
She’s dead. Wrapped in plastic.

Interestingly, there are a few images throughout the book that weren’t a part of the film.

Page 3
Page 3
Truman and Dr. Hayward discover Laura Palmer
Page 3 – Discovering Laura’s body

Page 3 continues with an explanation of the film and includes a shot from the Pilot episode.

Page 4 from Japanese Program
Page 4
Page 4 - Killer BOB and Laura Palmer
Page 4 – Killer BOB and Laura Palmer

Page 4 continues with what could be the film’s plot. Take note that “Key Word 2” in the blue box uses dialogue from a deleted scene – “Going up and down. Intercourse between the two world.” We eventually see The Little Man from Another Place saying something similar in The Missing Pieces.

Page 5 from Japanese Program
Page 5

Page 5 contains more official press / publicity images from the film including the now famous deleted scenes with Ed and Norma in a truck and Chet Desmond fighting Sheriff Cable in Deer Meadow. For the longest time, these images were the only clues that deleted scenes existed. Two of the images are reversed including Chet and Sam at the Fat Trout Trailer Park and Lil’ The Dancer at the private Portland Airport.

Here are individual images from this page.

I love how these images are tinted blue … must be because there are so many questions in the world to answer.

Pages 6-7 - Correlation Map in Twin Peaks
Pages 6-7

The Twin Peaks Correlation Map on Pages 6-7 give a unique look at the many relationships found in the town. Laura Palmer is center, of course, as she is the “one.” The Map also contains Key Word 3 – “Is it future? Or is it past?” – which will echo throughout Season 3 on Showtime.

Page 9 - Innocent Smile
Page 9

Key Word 4 is found on Page 9 for the chapter on “Innocent Smile” – “The good Dale is in the Lodge and he can’t leave.” That phrase uttered by Annie Blackburn in Laura Palmer’s bed gave Lynch the foundation for Season 3 according to an interview at the Twin Peaks FYC Emmys 2018 Event hosted by Showtime.

David Lynch on bringing Twin Peaks back: For a long time, no itch. But, at the same time, there’s a thing in Fire Walk With Me where Laura is in her bed and she’s visited by Annie. Annie says, ‘I’m in the Black Lodge with the good Dale. Write that in your diary.’ That little bit right there held a string of dreams.”

Oh, the drawing of coffee cups and doughnuts along the bottom of the pages is outstanding!

Laura Palmer and Special Agent Dale Cooper
Laura Palmer and Special Agent Dale Cooper
Red Room
Red Room

The bottom image of Killer Bob and Leland Palmer in the Red Room with Mike, the One-Armed Man and the Little Man from Another Place has a fantastic behind-the-scenes detail. Look at the upper left corner and you’ll see how they mounted the red drapes on the soundstage. The image was probably supposed to be cropped but that didn’t happen for the book. What a treat!

Page 10 - The Mill
Page 10
The Snoqualmie Mill
The Snoqualmie Mill

Page 10-11 has location images from Washington state including this fantastic shot of the now defunct Snoqualmie Mill. I’m guessing these images could have been taken at some point in 1991 for use in the souvenir program. Key Word 5 on Page 10 come from The Log Lady, “The tender bows of innocence burn first and the wind rises – then all goodness is in jeopardy.”

Page 11 - Twin Peaks Locations
Page 11

Page 11 continues the Twin Peaks location tour with images from The Double R Diner, the Bridge that Ronette Pulaski crosses, and more. Below are individual images from this page:

Reinig Road - Welcome to Twin Peaks Sign Spot

Double R Diner - Mar-T Cafe

White Tail Falls - Snoqualmie Falls

Bridge Ronette Pulaski crosses

Native carving detail

Some nice full color images from locations circa early 1990s!

Page 12 - Train Car
Page 12

The double spread image of the abandoned train car on Page 12 was totally worth buying this book. The image is spectacular! I combined the two images into to get the best look at this now demolished film location in Washington state. I would have LOVED to visit that spot.

Page 13 - Road Map
Page 13

The train car images open up to reveal additional pages that each contain a type of Twin Peaks map. Page 13 has the Road Map which is reprinted from the “Twin Peaks Access Guide to the Town.”

Circle of Candles
Candles
Footsteps
Footsteps

I wish I could credit the artist who drew the sketches throughout the book.

Page 14 - The Forest Map
Page 14
Page 14 - Diary Pages Being Torn Out
Page 14 – Diary Pages Being Torn Out

Page 14 contains another map – the Forest Map – and a sketch of diary pages being ripped out of the book.

Page 15 - Owl Cave
Page 15 – Owl Cave

The cave painting from Owl Cave is found on Page 15.

Page 15 - Body wrapped in plastic with the letter "T"
Page 15 – Body wrapped in plastic with the letter “T”
Page 15 - Guns and drugs
Page 15 – Guns and drugs

Key Word 6 is found on Page 16 below: “Ring … ring … Don’t take the ring … Laura.”

Page 16 - Welcome to Rynch World
Page 16 – Welcome to Rynch World

I’m still unclear why this chapter is titled “Welcome to Rynch World,” but it appears it is about David Lynch.

Smoking Shapes #1 by David Lynch. Circa 1987.
Smoking Shapes #1 by David Lynch. Circa 1987

The chapter includes Lynch’s artwork – Smoking Shapes #1 which was created in 1987. This Chalk on paper drawing measured 143×98 cm, There were two other paintings in the Smoking Shapes series that Lynch made in 1987. You can see them on the City of Absurdity website (which I can’t believe is still around).

Page 19
Page 19
Page 19 - Owl sketch
Page 19 – Owl sketch

The “Rynch World” chapter continues on Page 19 and includes an owl sketch.

Page 20 - Wet at Heart
Page 20

“Wet at Heart” is the chapter that begins on Page 20. Key Word 7 on this page is “Fire Walk With Me.” I’m really unsure what this chapter is about other than perhaps a nod to Lynch’s feature film “Wild At Heart.”

Page 21 - Wet at Heart
Page 21

The “Wet at Heart” chapter continues on Page 21 and includes an image of a mounted deer head.

Page 21 - Deer Head
Page 21 – Deer Head

David Lynch certainly loves to use deer heads in his work but I don’t believe this one is seen in Twin Peaks: Fire Walk With Me.

Page 22 - Interview with Kyle MacLachlan
Page 22
Page 22 - Carl Rodd and Special Agent Cooper
Page 22 – Carl Rodd and Special Agent Cooper

Kyle MacLachlan was interviewed on Page 22 and it includes a photo of Carl Rodd and Special Agent Dale Cooper at the Fat Trout Trailer Park.

Page 23 - Sheryl Lee interview
Page 23
Page 23 - James Hurley and Laura Palmer
Page 23 – James Hurley and Laura Palmer

It’s Sheryl Lee’s turn to be interviewed for Page 23. The page also contains an image of James Hurley and Laura Palmer outside the Palmer residence.

Page 24 - Cast Profile
Page 24

A profile of key Cast members from the film begins on Page 24. Another Key Word from Mike, the One-Armed Man, is printed, “You stole the corn. I had it canned above the store.”

Page 25
Page 25

It’s interesting who they chose to profile as Ray Wise (Leland Palmer) is not found anywhere. He plays a crucial part and gives one hell of a performance along with Sheryl Lee. They probably chose to feature Kyle MacLachlan as most of Japan was still enjoying Seasons 1 and 2 which debuted on May 31, 1991. His character, despite minimal screen time in the film, would have been easily recognizable to Japanese fans.

Page 26 - Staff Profile
Page 26
Page 26 - Sheryl Lee and David Lynch
Page 26 – Sheryl Lee and David Lynch

Page 26 highlights David Lynch, Robert Engels and Angelo Badalamenti. It also contains Key Word 9 – “The owls are not what they seem.”

Page 27 - Cast and Staff Credits
Page 27
Page 27 - Laura Palmer and Special Agent Cooper
Page 27 – Laura Palmer and Special Agent Cooper

Page 27 lists additional Cast and Staff from the film. It also includes what appears to be an image from the Pilot Episode where Cooper removes a letter from under Laura Palmer’s fingernail. I also believe the price of the program is listed – 500 yen – which could be around $4.60-$5 US.

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The final two pages contain advertisements for Twin Peaks merchandise. The bottom image contains a date of May 22, which could mean this program was available before that particular date. Does anyone have that floppy disk and bag pictured on the far left side of the bottom image? I wonder what was on it.

Back Cover
Back Cover
Back Cover - Welcome Sign
Back Cover – Welcome Sign

The back cover contains a variation on the Welcome to Twin Peaks sign. This time, the population is 51,200, not 51,201. I’m guessing the lack of the “1” is because Laura Palmer was killed.

For those playing along at home, here are all nine Key Words from the program:

  • Key Word 1 – “It was a dream. We live inside a dream.”
  • Key Word 2 – “Going up and down. Intercourse between the two world.”
  • Key Word 3 – “Is it future? Or is it past?”
  • Key Word 4 – “The good Dale is in the Lodge and he can’t leave.”
  • Key Word 5 – “The tender bows of innocence burn first and the wind rises – then all goodness is in jeopardy.”
  • Key Word 6 – “Ring … ring … Don’t take the ring … Laura.”
  • Key Word 7 – “Fire Walk With Me.”
  • Key Word 8 – “You stole the corn. I had it canned above the store.”
  • Key Word 9 – “The owls are not what they seem.”

Author

  • Steven Miller at Twede's Cafe enjoying cherry pie and coffee

    A "Twin Peaks" fan since October 1993, Steven Miller launched Twin Peaks Blog in February 2018 to document his decades-long fascination with David Lynch and Mark Frost's wonderful and strange show. With his Canon camera in hand, he's visited numerous film locations, attended Twin Peaks events and conducted extensive historical research about this groundbreaking series. Along with fellow Bookhouse Boys, he dreams of creating a complete Twin Peaks Archive of the series and feature film. Steven currently resides in Central Florida.

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