The third annual Real Twin Peaks event is just around the corner and fans from all over are preparing to celebrate the show where it all began in the scenic Snoqualmie Valley. One tradition I look forward to continuing is our yearly prop panel where fellow Twin Peaks Blog author Steven Miller and I will sit down with season two’s prop master Jeff Moore to explore his work on the show. We will once again have a display of original props on hand, including Donna’s screen-used suitcase.
DONNA HAYWARD’S SCREEN-USED MONARCH SUITCASE
Donna’s blue mid-century suitcase, as seen in episode 2.022, was made by New York-based Monarch Luggage Co., Inc.
Unlike other branded props like Bobby’s Olympus tape recorder, the prop department did not need to obscure the Monarch logo on top of the suitcase. With no close up shots of this piece, there was very little risk of the branding being legible onscreen.
Unfortunately, there is no tag on the inside to provide any additional manufacturing information like the year of production.
WHAT IS MONARCH LUGGAGE CO., INC.?
My search for background information on Monarch Luggage Co., Inc. turned up surprisingly little considering how common their products were for decades. However, I did find that the Monarch name still appears on the side of the brick building that once housed their production facility in the Red Hook neighborhood of Brooklyn, New York. The 4-story factory was constructed in 1920 and was converted to lofts in 2000, though the dwellings have since made headlines for being unsafe and overpriced.
Meanwhile, an eBay listing for a similar suitcase included the original shipping box labeled with an address of 542 West 27th Street in New York City. Perhaps this was Monarch’s office space.
The same listing also provided a name for the shade of this line of luggage: “Cruise Blue.”
An advertisement from Leonards department store published in the Fort Worth Star Telegram on October 3, 1962 shows a similar “Cruise blue color” suitcase complete with quilted rayon linings.
In early 1965, Monarch introduced molded luggage with new features including “easy-grip handles.” The suitcase handles pictured in the Younkers department store advertisement above seem to match Donna’s suitcase handle. This could indicate her suitcase was manufactured in 1965.
APPEARANCES IN TWIN PEAKS
When I had the opportunity to purchase a small collection of props from Jeff Moore a few years back, I was thrilled to see that one of the items was used in the unforgettable second season finale, directed by David Lynch.
In episode 2.022, Donna descends the stairs with this suitcase in her hand. She is ready to leave home after learning that Benjamin Horne may be her biological father.
The arrival of Doc Hayward and Sylvia Horne interrupt her departure, and Donna holds the suitcase as Ben and the good doctor meet in a bloody crescendo.
When I asked Jeff what he remembered about this prop, he recalled providing options for David Lynch to choose from, but it was ultimately Lara Flynn Boyle who made the call. “Like all props onscreen, they go through committees, director, actor, and I only give them choices,” Jeff said. “In the end, David let her make the final decision. It was her choice, approved by David.”
I can’t wait to discuss this further during the Real Twin Peaks prop panel at No Boat Brewing starting at 1:30pm on Sunday, February 23, 2025. This is one of several free panels taking place throughout the event. You can map out your weekend using Twin Peaks Blog’s handy event guide and find ticket information at therealtwinpeaks.com.
