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).
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.
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.'”
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.
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?
Interestingly, there are a few images throughout the book that weren’t a part of the film.
Page 3 continues with an explanation of the film and includes a shot from the Pilot episode.
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 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.
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.
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!
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 10-11 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 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:
Some nice full color images from locations circa early 1990s!
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.
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.”
I wish I could credit the artist who drew the sketches throughout the book.
Page 14 contains another map – the Forest Map – and a sketch of diary pages being ripped out of the book.
The cave painting from Owl Cave is found on Page 15.
Key Word 6 is found on Page 16 below: “Ring … ring … Don’t take the ring … Laura.”
I’m still unclear why this chapter is titled “Welcome to Rynch World,” but it appears it is about David Lynch.
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).
The “Rynch World” chapter continues on Page 19 and includes an owl sketch.
“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.”
The “Wet at Heart” chapter continues on Page 21 and includes an image of a mounted 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.
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.
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.
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.”
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 highlights David Lynch, Robert Engels and Angelo Badalamenti. It also contains Key Word 9 – “The owls are not what they seem.”
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.
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.
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.”
