If you have followed Twin Peaks Blog for awhile, you’ll know that my fellow authors Vinnie Guidera and Jason Mattson love discussing, identifying and even recreating props from the series. That is one reason I loved chatting with Jeff Moore, who served as the Prop Master for the second season, during the Real Twin Peaks 2024 event. We held a free panel discussion on February 23 at Friends & Co. Ice Cream in North Bend, Washington. Between the ice cream and Jeff’s stories, it was a sweet time for all.
NOTE – Due to technical difficulties, the last 10 minutes of Jeff’s conversation were not captured. There is no one more bummed than me about this fact.
FRIENDS & CO. ICE CREAM IN NORTH BEND
Fans from all around the world gathered inside the ice cream shop located at 111 W North Bend Way, North Bend. The shop is a sister location to the Snoqualmie Ice Cream store in the adjacent town of Snoqualmie.
During the event weekend, Friends & Co. offered a Twin Peaks special – Cherry Pie ice cream infused with real cherries and pie crust pieces baked by Chickadee Bakeshop, paired with a scoop of Cup of Joe espresso flavored ice cream.
The sundae was topped with whipped cream, ribbons of chocolate and caramel sauce and a cherry on top! I bet Little Nicky would have loved this treat.
CONVERSATION WITH JEFF MOORE
The panel discussion was held on 3:00 p.m. on Friday. Originally, it was schedule for Saturday but was moved to Friday due to the Conversation with Kyle MacLachlan held around 12 Noon on Saturday for VIP Ticket Holders.
Jason and Vinnie set up a table in the back of Friends & Co. Ice Cream.
There were an assortment of either props that Jason meticulously recreated from the series or actual props that Vinnie had acquired from Jeff. Individual images are included later in this article.
HIGHLIGHTS FROM JEFF MOORE’S CONVERSATION ABOUT TWIN PEAKS PROPS
Jeff’s first episode was the second season opener. Â Along with Richard Robinson, they would serve as the props team for all 22 episodes.
He sourced six different microphones from Little Jimmy Scott’s scene in the Red Room from episode 2.022. Lynch didn’t like the choices at first until he started picking them up. The microphone seen in the series was something Jeff found.
The box of Fleshworld magazines were created by The Earl Hayes Press who has operated in Hollywood since 1915. They carry more than 25,000 stock printed items available for rent to the movie industry. They also specialize in both modern and period items, including license plates, newspapers, books, driver’s licenses, passports, credit cards, product packaging. Incredibly talented individuals! Jeff gave them a copy of the season 1 issue of Fleshworld and they created two more versions.
Something that was cut out of our conversation was a story about the hospital food trays in episode 2.001. It was one of Jeff’s first props and he quickly learned that David Lynch liked having options.
He found several cafeteria food trays at the now-closed Ellis Mercantile prop house. On a whim, he also included prison food trays.
When Lynch reviewed his original tray choices, nothing caught his eye. Then Jeff brought out the prison tray. “Aces, Jeff,” Lynch exclaimed! That is what appears in the episode – a running gag all through the Calhoun Memorial scenes.
It always bothered Jeff that the letter from Windom Earle didn’t have the images of Donna Hayward, Shelly Johnson and Audrey Horne at the top.
You can see the images missing when the Angels gather in the Roadhouse.
Jeff’s uncredited assistant Steven Camp drew on Albert Rosenfield’s map tracing Windom Earle.
The puzzle box was an actual working box. Three of the symbols could be pressed with the final one (seen above) that would release the second box. Created in about a week, Jeff treated that prop like gold.
One of the most difficult props to find was the San Francisco postcard from James Hurley. It was not easy to find one at the prop houses in Los Angeles.
The tick was from a prop house called Tri-S which specialized in bugs and animals. Jeff hammered the end of a bullet and attached the tick using corn syrup blood.
Jerry Horne had four cheese pigs which he used during this scene.
Jeff also gave a shout out to 1400 River Road’s blog as it has helped him remember a few of these stories.
PROPS ON DISPLAY
Here are some of the individual items on display during the conversation.
The evidence tag from Windom Earl which Jeff wrote the letters and numbers on the tag.
Jason’s recreated license plate from Leland Palmer’s car.
Recreated prop by Jason Mattson of the “Ask About Our Specials” sign from the Double R Diner. You can see one today inside Twede’s Cafe that Jason made.
Windom Earle’s playing cards recreated by Jason.
The handheld microphone prop used by Deputy Hawk.
The screen-used name tag from season 1 for Deputy Tommy “Hawk” Hill.
Jason’s recreated Flesh World magazines.
Jason’s recreated diary of Laura Palmer.
Jason also recreated the Metropolitan cigarettes seen in the series. The Earl Hayes Press created Morley cigarettes are also found on the table.
The recreated crown worn by Gersten Hayward and Annie Blackburn.
A small box of chocolate bunnies from season 3 recreated by Jason.
Jason’s amazing cat mask from episode 2.001 that Audrey Horne uses in One Eyed Jacks.
The prop balls that Jeff sourced for episode 2.007 and discussed with Vinnie at the Real Twin Peaks 2023 event.
Bobby Briggs’ handheld tape recorder prop that Vinnie discussed in this article.
The metal bowl Windom Earle uses to feed Leo Johnson.
Thank you to Jeff Moore for his time. His releasing a book titled “Who Propped Laura Palmer?” hopefully in 2025. Jeff read a page from that book to attendees (part of the “Missing Pieces” from this panel since my video camera didn’t record it. Drat!).
Long time fan here since the Pilot and attended the earliest fan organized festival in 1993 and many thereafter.
As I remember being advised, the chocolate Easter bunnies used were BRACH’S CHOCOLATE COVERED MARSHMALLOW RABBITS. By the time I was told this, the packaging had changed from what you see in the pilot- but I purchased several boxes in the mid-1990’s that I have still in storage.
This really takes me back in time; I worked on both seasons in the set decorating department; the first season as a set dresser and the second as the leadman. I was just twenty-two years old when I started ; One of my big regrets in my career was when the casting director asked if I would be interested in auditioning for a part; she knew David liked me and I was the same age as many of the cast members; Sheryl Lee and I are practically the same age, just a few months apart. I said no. I was really shy back then. Oh well; it was an amazing experience, nonetheless