Twin Peaks Film Location – Leland Palmer Leaving Home

When I set out to identify all Twin Peaks film locations, I really meant ALL :-). No matter how big or small the location, I intend to find it. For Episode 2008, we see Leland Palmer leaving his home with “Maddy Ferguson ” to go golfing. While the majority of the Palmer house exteriors scenes were shot in either Monroe and Everett, Washington, this location is found in Agoura Hills, California.

WHERE IS THE LOCATION WHEN LELAND PALMER LEAVES HOME IN TWIN PEAKS?

The location where this spot is found is along West Lake Vista Drive at around these approximate coordinates – 34°06’30.7″N 118°45’20.8″W.

The road cuts through Malibou Lake Mountain Club, a private lake and residential community of custom houses nestled in the Santa Monica Mountains between the Conejo Valley and beaches of Malibu. The fenced off area has “No Trespassing” signs and they take the warning seriously.

Scott Frost penned this episode’s script between September 12-26, 1990. Part of this particular scene was revised on September 14 and was presented on Blue pages (which helped differentiate between the pages with and without revisions).

The scene was possibly shot on October 3, 1990.

LELAND PALMER’S TRUNK

The script briefly describes the action on screen.

INT. LELAND’S CAR – MORNING
Leland drives out of his driveway and down the street. He starts to sing.

There is, however, much more to see in the broadcasted version.

The on-screen action begins with an empty trunk.

Leland firmly places a golf bag in the trunk.

The bag somehow contains the dead body of Maddy Ferguson. Prop Master Jeff Moore explained how the bag came to be during the Twin Peaks Series Retrospective held at the University of Southern California on March 3, 2013.

“[Jeff] Moore also said he was instructed to find a large golf bag big enough to fit a human. He found a golf bag and brought it to Lynch’s office, and someone literally climbed into the bag. This made David Lynch happy because he would not be lying to his audience.

Special thank you to Courtenay Stallings who published an article about that retrospective on RedRoomPodcast.com. On a related note, make sure you pick up a copy of Courtenay’s new book “Laura’s Ghost – Women Speak About Twin Peaks.” It’s a must have for any Bookhouse Gal or Boy.

LELAND PALMER’S CAR

Leland closes the trunk to his dark blue 1975 Chevrolet Caprice Convertible with tan interior.

The license plate is for The Timber State which is the slogan for a fictitious Washington state (it’s actually known as The Evergreen State). The bottom of the plate says “Centennial Celebration.”

The state of Washington celebrated its 100th anniversary with a year-long celebration beginning on November 11, 1988, so it makes sense that such a plate would resemble the actual plate. This car’s plate number is 710-YEP.

Bobby Briggs’ car in Episode 1.002 has a similar “Timber State” license plate (with a different plate number – 468-BLA).

Leland is also driving a 1975 Chevrolet Caprice Convertible in Twin Peaks: Fire Walk With Me. His license plate, however, is different. It’s a Centennial Celebration plate for Washington state – 759-EAK – that expires in November 1989. The plate looks like one that would have existed in Washington state around the timeframe the film takes place.

Here’s a look at the spot where his car was parked via Google Maps. Notice the white fence which is also seen through the episode. The crew probably chose this spot as Lake Vista Drive is the same road that Leland nearly hits Sheriff Truman and Agent Cooper’s vehicle.  In fact, Leland is pulled over right around this area.

It makes perfect sense to use this spot rather than trying to find a home that matched the Palmer’s previously established exterior shot from Monroe, Washington.

LELAND TAKES A DEEP BREATH

Before getting into his car, Leland takes a deep breath of the cool “winter” air. Since the scene was possible shot in Southern California in October 1990, it’s doubtful the air was that crisp. Though they probably filmed the scene in the early morning hours based on the lighting from the sun.

The home behind Leland was located at 29081 Lake Vista Drive. Built in 1928, this two-bedroom, two-bath home contained vaulted ceilings with open wood beams, a stone fireplace and a large deck.

Sadly, it appears the home was destroyed in the devastating Woolsey Fire in November 2018. This is the same wildfire that destroyed the Gazebo at Easter Park seen in Seasons 1 and 2.

I discovered only an empty lot when I visited the location on September 19, 2020.

LELAND PALMER BACKS UP HIS CAR

The scene cuts to Leland in his car with the roof on which he quickly detaches and begins humming a familiar show tune.

The script calls for him to sing “Surrey With a Fringe On Top” from Oklahoma!

LELAND
“Chicks and ducks and geese better scurry …
When I take you out in the surrey …
When I take you out in the surrey with the fringe on top …
(beat)
Nosy folks will peer through the shutters … and their eyes … will … pop … 

Here is the same area on September 19, 2020. You’ll notice that white fence has been replaced with a rustic wooden one. A lamp post has also been added to the area along with a dog service station.

As Leland backs up his car, we hear him humming more of the iconic Oklahoma! tune. This was the first musical written Richard Rodgers and Oscar Hammerstein II. The duo based the musical on Lynn Riggs’ 1931 play, Green Grow the Lilacs.

Humming continues as Leland backs up.

This was the final time we see an exterior area at the Palmer house in Season 2.

IMAGES OF LELAND PALMER LEAVING HOME ON FLICKR

You can find high-resolution images of Leland Palmer leaving home location on my Flickr account. The photos are licensed as Creative Commons, so only attribution to “Sam Howzit” is required for use elsewhere.