Many Twin Peaks fans know that the majority Twin Peaks: Fire Walk With Me was shot on location around Snoqualmie and North Bend in Washington State. Shooting began on September 4-5, 1991 and continued through the end of October. There are, however, a handful of scenes that were shot in Southern California, including a scene from The Missing Pieces with Laura Palmer and a Truck Driver. The film location for this deleted scene took place in a popular spot used extensively in Seasons 1 and 2.
WHERE IS THE LAURA PALMER AND THE TRUCK DRIVER SCENE LOCATED?
We return to Franklin Canyon Park for this brief deleted scene. It’s near the spot where they shot Glastonberry Grove and Windom Earle’s Cabin in southern California. Approximate coordinates are 34.121492, -118.410321.
WAS THE LAURA PALMER AND THE TRUCKER DRIVER SCENE SHOT IN WASHINGTON?
From my understanding, there was once a thought that this scene was shot near Olallie State Park outside of North Bend, Washington. It makes sense as so much was shot in Washington for Lynch’s 1992 film.
The spot once thought to be the location of this scene is found near the parking entrance to Weeks Falls Trail (coordinates are 47°26’07.7″N 121°39’16.2″W).
The challenge with this idea is the landscape does not match the location shown in The Missing Pieces.
When I’m researching locations, I like matching things that may not dramatically change with the passage of time. Trees may grow, but they will remain in the same place. Roads and features along side roads (barriers, signs, etc) don’t change that much. As you’ll see below, the details at the Franklin Canyon Park location provide a better match for this scene.
SHOOTING THE LAURA PALMER AND THE TRUCKER SCENE IN FRANKLIN CANYON PARK
Additionally, we also know that the Glastonbury Grove scene from the feature film was shot in Franklin Canyon Park in California.
It stands to reason they could have shot the Truck Driver scene on the same night.
LAURA PALMER MEETING THE TRUCK DRIVER
In the August 8, 1991 draft, there is a short scene that take place prior to the trucker scene.
INT. LAURA’S ROOM – LATE NIGHT
The clock reads: 11:30. Laura’s hands open the window and release
the screen. Laura silently sneaks out the window and down the side
of her house.
While we don’t see that shot in the film, there is a similar shot of Laura sneaking out of the house when she meets James Hurley. I imagine it could have looked the same.
THE TRUCKER ARRIVES IN THE WOODS
In The Missing Pieces, the scene begins with a Kenworth W900A truck traveling along a darkened, tree-lined road.
You can see the same road along Franklin Canyon Drive. The crew hid lights near the truck in the trees to provide some illumination to the scene.
LAURA PALMER IN THE WOODS
The script continues:
EXT. SIDE OF THE HIGHWAY – LATER
A big semi comes to a stop at a wide spot in the road. Laura climbs into the truck.
The truck continues along the road until it reaches a can found on the right side of the image. I’m guessing that was deliberately placed there as a mark.
After the truck stops, we get a good look at the license plate – Washington 47295D.
LAURA PALMER APPEARS FROM THE TREES
Laura enters the scene from the woods. Just over the hill from this spot is where Glastonberry Grove and Windom Earle’s cabin were located.
Laura cross to the truck. Notice the trees and wood barrier behind her. The trees have since been cut back.
Here’s a panoramic shot of the same location which captures both the trees and road.
LAURA ENTERS THE TRUCK
As Laura climbs into the cabin, we can see the logo for Weaver Trucking. I’ve been unable to find a match for the truck. There were multiple Weaver Trucking entries on the internets, but I hope I can find the actual truck one day.
The truck would have stopped along this road as seen in the panoramic image above.
The script describes this scene:
INT. TRUCK – SAME
The TRUCKER smiles. Eager.
TRUCKER
Friend of Leo’s, right? Partyland?
“Partyland” however was changed to “The Power and the Glory” which is what the Trucker says on screen.
The Trucker offers Laura cocaine which she snorts twice. The script describes the action (except Laura doesn’t unbutton her blouse).
Laura begins to unbutton her blouse. Turns and sneaks a toot of cocaine.
TRUCKER (continued)
(catching her)
Wait a minute. Leo says this is my party.
Laura puts her hand between his legs.
LAURA
If you can fuck and drive the party starts right now.
Momentarily taken aback, the trucker stares at her. Laura takes his hand and puts it on the gear shift.
LAURA (continued)
You shift that one. This one’s mine.
She climbs over on top of him.
THE TRUCK DRIVER IN THE MISSING PIECES
The Trucker is played by Brian T. Finney who has stared in numerous television shows including Northern Exposure, Modern Family, and TURN: Washington’s Spies.
You may also recognize him from Twin Peaks Season 3 on Showtime.
Brian plays a Security Guard at the Silver Mustang Casino in Part 3. He helps Dougie Jones find the Cashier.
DOUGIE JONES
[Holding up $5 bill]
Call for help.
SECURITY GUARD
In the back, Jack
Dougie slowly stumbles away from the Guard
SECURITY GUARD
Hey! You’re gonna need some change (points to Cashier).
Brian gets screen credit at the end of the episode because he had spoken dialogue.
THE TRUCK DRIVER LEAVES
EXT. THE TRUCK – SAME
The stack blows. The truck rolls away onto the road. We watch it as it moans into the distance – the sound slowly diminishing and fading.
The truck continues along Franklin Canyon Drive until the scene fades. The shot was most likely captured using a jib or a crane.
The driver is headed toward the location from Episode 2009 where the law enforcement team walks after Maddy Ferguson’s death.
Lights were again added by the crew to provide some distant illumination. Here’s another shot of that same road.
The scripted scene ends with an owl hooting; something we don’t hear in the scene.
Natures’ nighttime sounds take over. Finally, we hear the _hooting_of_an_owl_.
It’s a world of truck drivers.
