Let’s set the way back machine to 2014. The excellent Welcome to Twin Peaks website published an article about a missing scene that took place outside the Palmer House in Twin Peaks: Fire Walk With Me. The article contained images by Everett, Washington resident Anthony P. Anderson who witnessed several scenes being shot on September 24, 1991. During my recent visit to North Bend, Washington, I spotted prints from Anthony in the hallway at Twede’s Cafe (a.k.a. the Double R Diner). In the spirit of my recent article about shooting that took place on November 1, 1991, here’s a deeper dive into one of two scenes shot on that Tuesday many years ago.
ANTHONY ANDERSON’S PHOTOS FROM TWEDE’S CAFE
In the back hallway at Twede’s Cafe, you will spot a frame containing several 4×6 images mounted on yellow construction paper.
The photos included “filming in the Rucker Hill area in Everett, Washington on September 24, 1991.”
Anthony shared a slide show with many of these images on February 18, 2014 via YouTube:
This video gives a great look at many of these images. But let’s place them into context of the script.
CASE OF THE CURIOUS NEIGHBOR
EXT. PALMER HOUSE – SAME
Laura races out of the house still holding Tremond’s picture.
95. EXT. PALMER’S NEIGHBOR’S HOUSE
Laura runs across two yards to a large tree and falls to her knees, crying.
She looks up and sees her father come out the front door of her house.
She watches him cross to his car and drive away.
LAURA
(frantic whisper)
What? It can’t be… It can’t be him… no…no…
The action pretty much appears on screen as scripted. Anthony offered some wonderful behind the scenes images of David Lynch speaking with Sheryl Lee on that spot in the grass.
Then … a true “missing piece.” I was hopeful that we would have seen it included in the 2014 Blu-ray release.
Laura is coming apart, sobbing. Behind her, on the sidewalk, a NEIGHBOR has noticed her.
WOMAN
Laura…
A closer look reveals how upset Laura is.
WOMAN
What… Laura are you all right?
Anthony took this image of David Lynch speaking with the uncredited Neighbor as she approached Laura. At this point, I’m wondering if the neighbor is supposed to be Janice Hogan.
You may recall I discussed the deleted scenes featuring Janice as played by the late Marjorie Nelson.
David Lynch has a way of bringing back characters in the episodes he directs (just think of Heidi the waitress or Ronette Pulaski in Episode 2022 – both hadn’t been seen in many episodes but Lynch brought them back). Including Janice Hogan could have been a nod to the Pilot Episode (and better explain why Janice was briefly seen consoling Sarah).
The script continues…
Laura turns away so the woman can’t see her crying. The woman takes a couple of steps off the sidewalk onto the grass.
LAURA
(trying to hold it together)
I… lost my necklace… it must have fallen.
Laura mimes that she has found her gold half-heart necklace. She pretends to be clasping her gold half-heart necklace which was already around her neck.
LAURA
(clumsily)
Oh, here it is.
Woman moves back to the sidewalk.
WOMAN
Well, I’m glad you found it, darling.
Slowly, Laura stands and moves away – leaving Mrs. Tremond’s picture
on the grass under the tree.
Here are some additional shots from Anthony of filming taking place in that spot.
I grabbed a photo of that spot when I visited the Palmer House in August 1996.
As of 2018, the spot looks very little like it did in the film. You can find it at these coordinates in Everett, Washington – 47°58’25.5″N 122°13’15.8″W
LAURA RETURNS HOME
After the Neighbor leaves Laura, she stands and returns to her home. The script contains missing scenes. I used some images from the film to fill in the gaps.
96. EXT. PALMER HOUSE
Laura stands in front of her house. Terrified.
97. INT. PALMER HOUSE – SAME
No Bob. Listens to the house… stands in the entrance way.
98. LIVING ROOM – SAME
Laura listens. Hears nothing.
99. STAIRS AND HALLWAY
She stops and stares at the fan then slowly makes her way up the
stairs towards her room.
100. INT. LAURA’S ROOM – SAME
No Bob in her room. The dresser is back in its place. Laura races out.
101. EXT. PALMER NEIGHBORHOOD STREETS – DAY
Laura runs down the sidewalk.
Laura then ends up at Donna Hayward’s house, sobbing and wanting Donna to confirm their friendship status.
I’m assuming the part with Laura returning to the house was edited as the reveal of Leland exiting the house was more impactful than having Laura return. It basically would have been a similar scene to when Laura finds Bob in her bedroom. While it would have been tense, it also would have felt repetitive.
The other scene shot on September 24, 1991 included James and Laura’s exchange outside the Palmer house. I’ll save that story for a different article.
