I just poured myself a cup of Good Morning America and decided to return to the Fat Trout Trailer Park in David Lynch’s 1992 masterpiece Twin Peaks: Fire Walk With Me. I’ve mentioned too many times how much I enjoy the first 30 minutes of the film, especially scenes with the late Harry Dean Stanton. I’m taking a closer look at his character Carl Rodd’s trailer door. It’s after 9:00 a.m. so I think I can now bother him.
CARL RODD’S DOOR AT THE FAT TROUT
The scene opens with Special Agents Chet Desmond and Sam Stanley approaching Carl Rodd’s Trailer. These scenes were some of the first shot around September 4-5, 1991. I discuss the scenes in this article thanks to first-hand accounts by Greg Olson for “Film Comment.” Notice there are some additional notes not seen on camera including one written on a round white paper plate.
According to the Twin Peaks: Fire Walk With Me script from August 8, 1991, there was supposed to be a white picket fence around Rodd’s trailer that was located at the Canyon Trailer Court (the original name of the Fat Trout). The action described, however, mostly remains the same.
As Agent Desmond approaches the door, he sees several hand-written notes along with a note from Rodd written in black across his door.
The script includes Rodd’s warning. The action remains the same.
The camera cuts to the two FBI Agents who are taking a moment to read the warning. In the background is the Snoqualmie River and Meadowbrook Bridge. Neither of these can be seen today from this spot as trees now line the river.
The camera cuts to “9 AM …… EVER” to emphasize they are bothering Mr. Rodd before his preferred start to his day.
As Rodd leaves, there is some cut dialogue from the script and he says, “More popular than Uncle’s Day at a whorehouse.” Rodd steps outside and yells, “GOD DAMN, THAT MORNING SUN IS BRIGHT! BLUE BRIGHT.”
The reference to “blue bright” could have been a nod to Gordon Cole’s “Blue Rose” case or that there are many “Questions in a World of Blue,” Julee Cruise’s song we’ll hear later in the film.
We get one final look at the door as Desmond and Rodd leave the scene.
CLOSER LOOK AT THE NOTES ON CARL RODD’S DOOR AT THE FAT TROUT
Years later on April 26, 2011, DavidLynch (dot) com would share this publicity image from this scene. It was helpful as I took a closer look at the notes on the front door.
It appears the door was installed for the shoot in September 1991. By the time I visited the location on August 10, 1996, a wooden door was attached to the trailer.
In the upper right corner, there is a note from Millie saying “Rod [sic], My cat is gone.” It’s interesting the note is addressed to “Rod” and not “Carl” or that “Rod” is spelled with only one “d.” The August 8, 1991 script lists the character’s name as “Carl Rodd.” This could have been from a mix-up in communication or perhaps folks living at the Fat Trout really did refer to him as “Rod.”
Just below Millie’s note, we see a yellow “Post-It” note from Larry in #6: “Rod, My fridge does not stay cold.”
The note below appears to be torn from a magazine advertisement. The resident wrote, “Rod, Something is wrong with my trailer.” The torn advertisement is originally from L.A. Weekly.
Here is the advertisement for a performance of Carreras, Domingo and Pavarotti in concert being broadcast on Saturday, August 17 at 8:00 p.m. on KCET 28, the public broadcasting station in Los Angeles, California.
The “Three Tenors” concert was the closing concert from the 1990 World Cup. Beverly Sills hosted the two-hour broadcast which KCET used as a fundraiser for the nonprofit station.
This means the door was likely constructed somewhere after August 16 since the crew would have needed the L.A. Weekly to tear out the page.
Another note from Kaz reads, “Rod, My trailer has a leak fix it by tomorrow.” The white note below only contains “Rod” but I assume there is more we don’t see.
“Kaz” is most likely Jon “Kaz” Kazunaga who served as Construction Foreman for Lynch’s 1992 film. He’s still working in the film industry and has recent credits for construction and prop work on The Fablemans, Top Gun: Maverick, Spider Man: No Way Home and more.
Another cluster of notes reads:
- “Rod, My dog…”
- “Mr. Manager, Why Don’t my water heat up. Bill” (foreshadowing for the Hot Water lady seen later when Desmond returns to the Fat Trout)
- “Rod, Something wrong with your trailer.”
We get a better look at the notes from earlier in the scene.
- “Rod, I’m moving out. Sam”
- “The hole in my roof is getting bigger. Let me know. Ruth #17”
- “Back Door … look … and … when” (sadly the note is covered so we don’t get the whole picture)
This scene may be brief but I love the little details on the door which adds to the richness of the overall film. Thirty years later, I’m still discovering these little treasures.
