The Palmer House plays an important role in David Lynch’s 1992 film Twin Peaks: Fire Walk With Me. For the Pilot Episode, Lynch and team used the interiors for this home. For Seasons 1 and 2, a home in Monroe, Washington served as the home in the exterior establishing shots. For this article, I examine all of the exteriors seen from that 1990s cult classic film.
WHERE IS THE PALMER HOUSE LOCATED IN TWIN PEAKS?
The Palmers lived at at corner of Frost Avenue and Northwestern Street in Twin Peaks (number 6 on the map above) according to the “Twin Peaks Access Guide to the Town.”
In reality, the home is located at 708 33rd Street in Everett, Washington. The approximate coordinates are 47°58’25.3″N 122°13’14.4″W.
See this article for a more detailed history of this beautiful Dutch Colonial home. It was built in 1925 for a top Washington state insurance agent.
If you’d like to tour this house, the owner Mary Reber (who played Mrs. Tremond in Twin Peaks – Part 18) has created a variety of tour packages found on VisitPalmerHouse.com. Please remember this is a private residence, so please be respectful if you are in the area. This reminder includes anyone who wants to scream at the house while standing on the street … yes, it happens. Don’t be that person.
ESTABLISHING SHOTS
The first time we see the Palmer House in the film is just after “Girl Talk” scene in Donna Hayward’s living room.
I incorporated the The Missing Pieces in my analysis since they offer even more looks of this gorgeous home.
Another establishing shot of the Everett home appears after Laura Palmer speaks with Mrs. Tremond and her grandson outside the Double R Diner.
AFTER FINDING BOB
Laura is seen fleeing from the house after finding Bob in her room.
Laura hides in bushes just down the street from her house and watches as her father exits the front door.
Laura watches as Leland Palmer leaves her house and drives away in his 1975 Chevrolet Caprice Classic.
Note that the vehicle has a different license plate (759 EAK) than what we saw in Season 2 (710 YEP). The same make and model is used in both the series and the film.
Stunned by what she just saw, she inadvertently leaves the picture Mrs. Tremond gave her by the bushes.
There is a missing Missing Piece from this scene which I detail in this article.
JAMES HURLEY STOPS BY
Later in the film, James Hurley is seen approaching the Palmer House riding his Harley Davidson motorcycle. This view gives a great look down 33rd Street.
James waits outside on his bike for Laura to meet him on the street. I love this shot!
James looking cool sitting on his bike on 33rd Street.
You can see several additional homes across the street from the Palmer House. Funny that this street will play such an important part in Season 3 on Showtime.
During the exchange between James and Laura, a disapproving and concerned Leland Palmer stands on the front porch. Yet another awesome shot of the home!
NIGHTTIME IS MY TIME
The first nighttime establishing shot of the Everett home is seen just before Laura Palmer is shown fixing herself a drink.
The scene concludes with Laura Palmer walking away from Donna Hayward who is left standing on the steps to the Palmer House.
THE MISSING PIECES
ESTABLISHING SHOTS
This establishing shot is from The Missing Pieces in a scene just before Laura and Sarah Palmer are shown eating breakfast.
A nighttime establishing shot is used just before Laura speaks with Dr. Jacoby on the telephone. This shot is similar to the one used before Laura makes a drink earlier in the film.
BIRDS IN HELL
After confronting her father, Laura is seen walking down the street from her house. I detailed this film location in this article – Birds in Hell.
LELAND COMES HOME
Another sequence from The Missing Pieces gives a great look at 33rd Street just outside the Palmer House. I loved this scene and wish it was in the final cut of the film.
I love how Ray Wise plays this scene. The way he looks at Laura Palmer are terrifying!
The scene ends with Leland entering the front door.
ESCAPE WITH JAMES
The last scene from outside the Palmer House in Twin Peaks: Fire Walk With Me has Laura and James riding off together down 33rd Street.
