When I set out to document every film location in Twin Peaks, I really meant EVERY location no matter how brief the scene. For this article, I examine a brief interaction between Gene and Lorraine in Part 5 on Showtime. Thanks to incredible Behind the Curtain videos on the Twin Peaks – From Z to A collection we know exactly where this scene was shot.
WHERE IS THE SCENE WHERE GENE CALLS LORRAINE LOCATED?
According the Behind the Curtain video for part 5, the brief scene was shot on January 14, 2016. It’s the same day that several scenes for Part 3 were shot including Jade driving Dougie out of the neighborhood and the 119 House boy watching Gene plant a bomb on Dougie’s car.
The scene was shot on Little Rock Lane in Palmdale, California. The approximate coordinates are 34°34’12.6″N 118°00’32.3″W.
RANCHO ROSA ESTATES
After a brief nighttime establishing shot of downtown Las Vegas, Nevada, the camera cuts to a “nighttime” shot of the Rancho Rosa Estates sign. The sign, which was digitally inserted, wasn’t really illuminated at night.
The sign spot was location just down the way on Campbell Street.
GENE CALLS LORRAINE
Hitmen Gene (played by Greg Vrotsos) and Jake (played by Bill Tangradi) are seen sitting inside Greg’s car.
GENE
We just drove by. His car’s still there.
[LORRAINE]
What the hell, Gene? Is he still inside?
The car is parked in front of this brick wall behind a home on Little Rock Lane.
During production, no houses existed along this street. By the time I visited in September 2020, houses were everywhere.
This fantastic behind-the-scenes shot shows where the car was located.
Gene continues his call which cuts to Lorraine in an office (another article for another time).
GENE
Can’t tell, but the lights are on in there.
CUT TO LORRAINE
LORRAINE
Fuck, Gene! This job was supposed to be done yesterday. Are you trying to get me killed?
CUT TO GENE
GENE
What do you want us to do? We’re all over it.
CUT TO LORRAINE
LORRAINE
Fuck!
[Hangs up phone]
[Line beeping]
JAKE
She’s a worrier.
GENE
Yeah.
The scene ends by cutting back to Lorraine who sends a message (“2”) via a Blackberry to her contact “ARGENT” causing a device in Buenos Aires to ring and flash two red lights.
BEHIND THE CURTAIN OF GENE CALLS LORRAINE
We get all sorts of cool details in the Behind the Curtain video. This shot of director David Lynch speaking with Greg and Bill was how I located the spot.
Using the widows in the background, I searched Street View on Google Maps until I found a match.
Here is how the area looked in September 2020.
GENE’S CAR
Another great production shot of Gene’s 1971 Chevrolet Chevelle with a production semi-truck parked across the street.
The house behind the truck is actually the 119 House which is across the street from Dougie Jones’ love nest.
The Nevada license plate is 458-3NP.
Here is another shot of the area from September 20, 2020. The car was parked in this spot.
TWIN PEAKS CREW
The other thing I love about the Behind the Curtain videos is seeing the talented crew in action. This scene above shows Script Supervisor Cori Glazer reviewing the script with Greg. What would I give to see the complete script for Season 3!
Eric Amundsen, “A” Camera Second Assistant, and I believe David Eubank, “A” Camera First Assistant, are seen setting up the shot. I love there are two unidentified stand-ins sitting in the car while the shot is being set. I wonder who they were.
I believe Gaffer Michael LaViolette is standing next to the camera.
Difficult to see but I think Peter Deming is operating the camera in this shot that slowly moves forward toward Gene’s car.
This could be Gunnar T. Walter who was the boom operator during Season 3 production.
Finally we have David Lynch directing via his signature megaphone with Cori Glazer standing beside him on the the phone.
An amazing team that produced an even more outstanding show!
