Norma Jennings, played by the late Peggy Lipton, looked radiant in every episode of Twin Peaks. Today, I’m turning the costume spotlight on the queen of the Double R Diner by taking a closer look at her costumes from the pilot episode through episode 1.007 from season 1.
COSTUMING TEAM FOR NORMA JENNINGS IN TWIN PEAKS
The late Patricia Norris, who served as the Costume Designer for the pilot episode, helped craft Norma’s look that would echoed throughout all three seasons of Twin Peaks. Norris was was joined by Earl Lewis as Key Costumer and Ron Leamon as Wardrobe Supervisor. Sarah Markowitz assumed costuming duties for first two seasons along with Laurie L. Hudson as Costume Supervisor.
NORMA JENNINGS IN SEASON 1
PILOT EPISODE
Naturally, the first time we see Norma Jennings is behind the counter at the Double R Diner. These scenes were part of the first day of shooting in Snoqualmie Valley on February 21, 1989.
She is wearing her classic blue and white waitress uniform inspired by classic diners from the 1950s.
Publicity shots from that first day give an even better look at the uniform.
Later in the pilot, we see Norma in the Double R Diner kitchen speaking with Big Ed Hurley on the telephone.
Additional publicity shots were captured from the other side of the counter.
It’s great seeing these images as they were captured in the former kitchen of Twede’s Cafe in North Bend before it caught fire years later. Notice Norma’s watch and gold bracelet.
After the phone call to Ed, we see the couple at The Roadhouse drinking what appears to be a “Beer Light.” The label was modified to hide the word “Coors.” Norma is also drinking beer (perhaps St. Paulie Girl beer).
During a closer shot, we see her beautiful flower sweater.
Her full outfit, complete with heels, is seen as Ed stands up to address Mike Nelson and Bobby Briggs.
FIRST SEASON PUBLICITY IMAGE
Leading up to the pilot debut on April 8, 1990, a series of publicity shots were captured during filming of the first seven episodes in summer to fall 1989. This image is one of several taken on the Double R Diner set at City Studios in Van Nuys, California.
Behind Norma is the “Today’s StockPot Soup” sign which features something “Cream” soup. The description doesn’t match any soup shown in the first seven episodes which means this set up was created especially for the publicity shot.
Look closer at her watch which appears to be different than the watch seen in the pilot episode.
EPISODE 1.001
In episode 1.001, we see Norma carrying food outside the Twin Peaks General Store. She is wearing a long overcoat and a scarf.
The blue jacket covers her Double R Diner waitress uniform. She must have been delivering RR 2 GO to the General Store.
After Nadine Hurley discusses her “COTTON BALLS,” we catch a closer look at Norma’s scarf.
Upon returning to the Double R Diner, Norma puts on a 1950s-like cardigan complete with decorative diamond patterns. This sweater will return in later episodes in season 1.
We catch a glimpse of Norma’s hands and arms as she delivers pie to Agent Cooper. The cardigan sleeves have been pushed up.
Interestingly, we see a shot from this episode in episode 1.002 when Agent Dale Cooper is throwing rocks at a glass bottle. When Lucy Moran reads out Norma’s name, there is a brief flashback of Cooper shaking hands with Norma. In episode 1.001, we the reverse angle of this shot.
EPISODE 1.002
Norma is wearing a dark cardigan in episode 1.002.
As she surveys Ed’s bandage, we catch a glimpse of her pushed up sleeves.
The same green cardigan is found in this publicity shot captured by Paula K. Shimatsu-U.
When Audrey Horne, sits at the Double R Diner counter, we catch another look at her green cardigan.
As Norma pours a cup of black coffee for Audrey, we see her watch and bracelet.
Another look at Norma pouring coffee. The pushed up sleeve look is something she embraces.
EPISODE 1.003
It’s back to the Double R Diner waitress uniform sans sweater when Norma is speaking with Mr. Mooney in episode 1.003. I noticed something interesting about this exchange. Notice Norma’s hands fidgeting with a pen.
She eventually puts down the pen when Mooney is speaking with her.
But when the camera cuts to Mooney, Norma is seen holding her pen again.
Cut back to Norma, no pen. This means there were multiple takes for this scene. The editor used the best takes from Mr. Mooney which just happened to have Norma holding the pen.
In the broadcast version, we get a brief look at Norma Jennings’ outfit for Laura Palmer’s funeral. This wide group shot contains the main characters surrounded by several extras.
There is, however, a publicity shot that shows Norma’s entire black mourning dress complete with black over coat. We sadly don’t see this shot in the episode as director Tina Rathborne opted for a series of close-up shots.
At night, Norma is back in her blue waitress uniform as she approaches the booth with Sheriff Truman, Deputy Hawk, Big Ed and Agent Cooper.
We get a rare look at the back of the waitress uniform as she leaves their table.
We also get a rare look at Norma’s wrist when she brings pie and coffee to Cooper.
EPISODE 1.004
In episode 1.004, Norma sheds the blue and white uniform and dons a purple two piece outfit for her husband Hank Jennings’ parole hearing.
I just love this color on her.
As she speaks with Hank before the hearing, we catch a glimpse of her gold ball stud earring.
In the hearing room, we seen Norma sitting along the back wall. She is wearing black heels again.
A closer shot with an out-of-focus Hank Jennings.
And an even closer shot of Norma against the wood paneled-wall.
It’s back to the uniform after the hearing.
We get another back of the uniform shot that shows off the hand tied bow.
This is another favorite shot of Norma Jennings from season 1.
When she hugs Shelly Johnson, we get a closer look at the gold ring on her right hand.
Norma is back behind the counter taking Madeline Ferguson’s order.
Later, as she receives a dreaded phone call relaying the hearing outcome, we see some details on her waitress uniform.
EPISODE 1.005
In the following episode, Norma visits Big Ed’s Gas Farm while wearing a long overcoat and a scarf that’s different from episode 1.001.
As she speaks with Ed, we can see some pattern details of the scarf.
The coat and scarf blow in the wind as she walks back to her car.
Norma treats Shelly Johnson to a day of beauty. As they return to the diner, we see the duo wearing their overcoats.
This publicity shot captured around the time the episode was shot gives an even better look. Shelly first wore her coat in episode 1.001.
Hank stops Norma as they pass by his booth.
As Hank speaks with Norma, we get a great look at her “day of beauty” look.
EPISODE 1.006
She appears very briefly in episode 1.006 as she watches Hank and Shelly converse behind the counter. She is wearing the same sweater first seen in episode 1.001.
A publicity shot from around the time the episode was shot gives a better look at that mid-century inspired maroon cardigan.
EPISODE 1.007
She is still wearing the maroon cardigan in the season one finale episode.
Another look at her costume as she sits in a booth negotiating receipts of the day.
An even closer look at Norma Jennings closes out this article and her first season appearances.
More episodes with her wearing the Double R Diner uniform along with a handful of other looks will continue in season 2.
