I loved seeing the legendary Don Murray play Bushnell Mullins, Dougie Jones’ boss at Lucky 7 Insurance, in Season 3 of Twin Peaks. Thanks to a giant framed poster behind Mullins’ desk at Lucky 7, we get some insight into his character. Now that some time has passed since Season 3 ended (and those Non-Disclosure Agreements are expiring), we now know who designed this poster.
WHO DESIGNED THE BUSHNELL “BATTLING BUD” MULLINS POSTER FOR TWIN PEAKS?
Eric Scott Rosenberg recently revamped his personal website which includes an extensive look at the many films and television shows where his work appears. Rosenberg, who describes his role as “Graphic Designer and Photoshop Artist for movie and series television projects” creates a variety of designs for “Art Departments, Set Decoration, Props, Costumes, and Video Playback.”
His resume is impressive! I loved seeing the many notable graphics and designs, which also included his work in Twin Peaks.
Rosenberg is member of IATSE Local 800, the Art Directors Guild for projects in Los Angeles and other U.S. locations, as well as United Scenic Artist Local 829 for the New York City region which includes northern New Jersey. He served from July 2017-July 2020 as a Board member of The Art Directors Guild and a member of their Scenic, Title, and Graphic Artists Council.
CREATING THE BUSHNELL “BATTLING BUD” MULLINS POSTER
On his website, Rosenberg explained how he created the poster: “The “Battling” Bud Mullins poster photo was a composite of actor Don Murray and boxing great Rocky Marciano.”
He recalls he wasn’t sure how the poster would be used. Most likely Production Designer Ruth DeJong hired Rosenberg to create the prop. He is not officially credited with working on the show.
“When I worked on the project I wasn’t told anything about the context of the graphics or what episodes they would appear in, it was all very secret. It was a nice surprise seeing the boxing poster nicely featured over the course of several episodes.”
With that said, let’s take a look at the photos he used for the composite.
ROCKY MARCIANO ON THE POSTER
The photograph of boxer Rocky Marciano was taken on November 1, 1951 (at least that is the date I found).
Titled “Boxer Rocky Marciano in a boxing stance,” I found both a black-and-white version (use for the poster design) and a full-color version.
I’m guessing the photo may have been taken in October 1951 as a publicity shot for the now classic match between Joe Louis and Rocky. He appears to be dressed in the same attire as the publicity photographs.
The fight was the end of an era for the Brown Bomber Joe Louise. Boxing.com published this analysis in 2014 which included some highlights:
“The fight took place at Madison Square Garden on October 26, 1951. Louis was guaranteed $300,000 for the fight. He badly needed that money for Uncle Sam. So twenty-seven-year-old Rocky Marciano would take on thirty-seven-year-old Joe Louis. The winner would get a shot at champion Ezzard Charles.
It was brutal to watch. Louis turned into an old man overnight. It was not a pretty sight. In the eighth round, Marciano caught Louis twice for two knockdowns. The fight was finally stopped without a count by referee Ruby Goldstein. It was a TKO8 for Marciano.
The next morning sports columnist Red Smith described the action this way: ‘Rocky hit Joe a left hook and knocked him down. Then Rocky hit him another hook and knocked him out. A right to the neck followed that knocked him out of the ring. And out of the fight business. The last wasn’t necessary, but it was neat. It wrapped the package neat and tidy.’
DON MURRAY’S HEADSHOT ON THE POSTER
Don Murray’s headshot (still number – G216-S-43) was most likely taken in 1956 around the time of the Marilyn Monroe classic Bus Stop was released. I found several similar shots around that time of Murray with him sporting the same suit jacket and tie.
Released on August 31, 1956, Murray’s role of Beauregard “Beau” Decker was his film debut. His outstanding performance garnered both an Academy Award nomination for Best Supporting Actor and a BAFTA nomination for Most Promising Newcomer.
APPEARANCES OF BUSHNELL “BATTLING BUD” MULLINS POSTER IN TWIN PEAKS
The Lucky 7 Insurance office poster appears in four episodes from Season 3.
The poster is seen in two different publicity shots from Season 3. The first being from Part 5.
The second is from Part 6. Both shots were taken by on-set photographer Suzanne Tenner.
TWIN PEAKS – PART 5
The poster first appears on screen in Part 5 when Mullins addresses Dougie Jones after the morning meeting.
TWIN PEAKS – PART 6
The bottom of the poster is seen in Part 6 as Bushnell reviews Dougie’s case files.
A medium shot of Dougie and Bushnell reveal most of the poster squarely positioned behind the desk.
Dougie looks up to the poster, which I combined the panning shots to create this larger version of the image.
The poster reads:
“Tougher than the rest”
Bushnell
“Battling Bud”
Mullins
In four furious rounds!
Tuesday
18th June
7:30PM
Civic Auditorium
General Adm: $150
Reserved seatings: $250-$350
Ringside: $500
Interestingly, June 18 falls on a Tuesday in 1946, 1957 and 1963. So it’s from one of those years based on the poster’s design.
Another closer shot of the poster in Part 6.
After realizing what Dougie discovered, Bushnell offers his hand in thanks.
Dougie doesn’t quite understand handshakes yet in Part 6.
TWIN PEAKS – PART 11
In Part 11, we get an alternate angle view of Mullins’ office.
Dougie enjoys coffee (again) as Bushnell has a another one-sided conversation.
A close-up shot of Mullins show the bottom of the poster.
Another close up of the poster which appears similar to the one used in Part 6 (probably recycled footage).
TWIN PEAKS – PART 13
Bushnell is seen standing behind his desk as the Mitchum Brothers’ dance party enters his office.
He reacts to the gifts left by Candie, Mandie and Sandie – Montecristo No. 2 Cuban cigars, diamond cuff links, and a BMW convertible.
Later in Part 13, we see Bushnell seated on his desk as Anthony Sinclair confesses. This is the final time we’ll see the poster in the third season.
BUSHNELL “BATTLING BUD” MULLINS POSTER MERCHANDISE
There are some officially licensed merchandise released featuring the poster. I recall seeing an actual poster replica on the Showtime Store back in 2017 (but now I think it was a dream).
BoxLunch.com has t-shirts with the poster design. There were once multiple colors available but as of February 2, 2024, most of those colors are gone.
There were five women’s tees in various colors.
And were five men’s cut tees available.
The Rittenhouse Archives trading card series from 2018 featured a Bushnell Mullins card (CC36). The poster is seen behind a seated Mullins.
Here is the back of the card.
I’m glad to finally know who created this iconic poster design and can’t wait to spot Mr. Rosenberg’s work is other productions.
Such rich detail! Fantastic research and write up.