While researching stories for Twin Peaks Blog, one thing that has continually surprised me is the number of times the Twin Peaks pilot was shown before debuting on the ABC Television Network in April 1990. From Telluride to Vancouver to Miami, here is a summary of the places throughout North America and the United Kingdom where audiences had their first taste of David Lynch and Mark Frost’s wonderful and strange town.
Between September 1989 through March 1989, audiences were introduced to the mysteries of Twin Peaks at a variety of film festivals, home video releases and special screenings. This list is a work in progress as I continue finding details about additional screenings.
SEPTEMBER 3, 1989 – TELLURIDE FILM FESTIVAL
The 16th Telluride Film Festival was held from September 1-4, 1989. One of the more unique aspects of this festival is the schedule is kept secret until just before Opening Day. This could explain how Twin Peaks appeared on the schedule that year. Thanks to long time Twin Peaks fan Pete Vilmur, the pilot was shown on Sept. 3 at 4:00 p.m. in the Sheridan Opera House, at 8:15 p.m. at the Community Center, and at 11:00 p.m. at Nugget Theatre. The event was attended by Mark Frost and Michael Ontkean.
SEPTEMBER 28, 1989 – VANCOUVER INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL
The Vancouver International Film Festival kicked off their 1989 event on September 28 with an opening night gala and Canadian premiere of Twin Peaks. The movie was shown at 7:30 p.m. in the 1,200-seat Vogue Theater. Kyle MacLachlan, Michael Ontkean, and Mark Frost were scheduled to attend. The second screening of Twin Peaks was held on Saturday, September 30 at 2:00 p.m. at The Ridge Theater.
DECEMBER 8, 1989 – TWIN PEAKS RELEASED ON HOME VIDEO IN THE UNITED KINGDOM
Audiences in Europe saw the Twin Peaks pilot thanks to a VHS release that most likely happened on December 8, 1989. There are multiple reports that the video might have been released in November that year. I’ve also heard from residents who said they rented the pilot episode in possibly September or October.
However, this newspaper article from The Guardian on December 5, 1989 states “Twin Peaks is released by Warner Home Video and is available for rental from this Friday (which was December 8).”
In a sidebar with an image of the United Kingdom VHS, Entertainment Weekly (Issue #8, April 6, 1990) shared: “If you live in Belgium, Bolivia, Switzerland, or any of the 10 other countries where a cassette of Twin Peaks is available.” So other countries outside North America saw the pilot on home video before it aired in the United States. I’m still tracking down specifics about the dates and countries.
JANUARY 6, 1990 – TELEVISION CRITICS ASSOCIATION – WINTER PRESS TOUR
The Miami Herald’s Hal Boedeker provided a detailed play-by-play recap from the ABC Television day held on Saturday, January 6, 1990 during the Television Critics Association Winter Press Tour.
Between 8:05 – 9:45 a.m., ABC shared the broadcast version of the pilot via closed circuit television in each of the hotel room at Registry Hotel (now Hilton Universal) in Universal City, California. It was the third show screened that morning following the short-lived The Marshall Chronicles (airing only seven episodes between April 4 to July 22, 1990) and a five-minute preview of America’s Funniest Home Videos.
The press conference portion of the day began around 10:00 a.m. in the Convention Center. The Twin Peaks -specific conference was at 3:15 p.m. that afternoon on Jan. 6.
Boedeker wrote: “3:15 p.m. -The cast of Twin Peaks meets the press. It’s a big talent pool: Peggy Lipton, Richard Beymer (West Side Story), Michael Ontkean (The Rookies), Piper Laurie (Carrie) and Kyle MacLachlan (Dune, Blue Velvet). Executive producer Mark Frost explains the casting process. ‘We did consciously stay away from people who had starred in a big series in a big identifiable role in the very recent past.’”
JANUARY 7, 1990 – CLEVELAND CINEMATHEQUE AT CLEVELAND INSTITUTE OF ART
Audiences in Cleveland, Ohio saw a 35mm print of the Twin Peaks pilot on Sunday, January 7, 1990. This one-time-only screening was part of the Cleveland Cinematheque’s “Premiere Showcase” held at the Cleveland Institute of Art. Tickets were only $4.00!
JANUARY 13, 1990 – PALM SPRINGS INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL
The Twin Peaks pilot was show twice during the 1990 Palm Springs International Film Festival. The first showing was held on January 13, 1990 at 9:30 p.m. at the Plaza Theatre, which followed 7:00 p.m. screening of a festival-favorite, The Icicle Thief. The second screening was held on Sunday, January 14 beginning at 4:30 p.m. in the Camelot Theatre II.
FEBRUARY 10, 1990 – MIAMI INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL
On Saturday, February 10, 1990, attendees of the Seventh Miami International Film Festival saw the Twin Peaks pilot at the Olympia Theatre starting at 4:30 p.m. Michael Ontkean was supposedly in attendance but I’ve not located photos of him.
MARCH 9, 1990 – MUSEUM OF BROADCASTING’S 7TH ANNUAL TELEVISION FESTIVAL
One of the final screenings held before the ABC Television debut was on March 9, 1990 at the Museum of Broadcasting’s Seventh Annual Television Festival. The screening was held at the Los Angeles County Museum of Art’s Leo S. Bing Theatre. According to David Bushman and Arthur Smith’s “Twin Peaks FAQ,” the screening was followed by a panel with Mark Frost, Chad Hoffman, Gregg Fienberg, Kyle MacLachlan, Joan Chen and Michael Ontkean.
I’ve only found a photo of Michael Ontkean and his wife from the event. This will eventually become a separate article.
TO BE DETERMINED – DIRECTORS GUILD OF AMERICA IN LOS ANGELES
There have been reports the pilot episode was also screened for the Director’s Guild of America in Los Angeles, California. I have yet to find when this screening took place. I wonder if it could have been mixed up with the Museum of Broadcasting’s event on March 9.
