Twin Peaks Prop – Bobby McGee’s Conglomeration Boot

One of the many knickknacks occupying the shelves of the Hurley house is a souvenir ceramic boot from Bobby McGee’s Conglomeration. Let’s take a look at where this boot appears in Twin Peaks Seasons 1 and 2.

HISTORY OF BOBBY MCGEE’S

Bobby McGee’s was a supper club-disco chain founded in Scottsdale, Arizona in 1971 by nightclub owner and restauranteur Bob Sikora. The quirky chain’s costumed staff and bathtub salad bar (hence the design on the boot) made for a unique experience.

At its peak, Bobby McGee’s had 24 locations reaching from Arizona to Australia.  There was a Bobby McGee’s located at 107 South 1st Street in Burbank, California that operated until 2001. BJ’s Brewhouse now occupies the building.

Sikora sold all but one restaurant in 2005, converting the remaining location into a new steakhouse called Bobby-Q in 2006.

Based on research, it appears Washington state did not have a Bobby McGee’s. It’s conceivable that members of the Twin Peaks crew may have frequented the location in Burbank (it’s about 21 minutes away from the Van Nuys soundstage). More than likely the boot prop was selected to complement Big Ed’s western-themed attire.

APPEARANCES OF BOBBY MCGEE’S CONGLOMERATION BOOT IN TWIN PEAKS

We first see the ceramic boot on the Hurleys’ shelf as Big Ed tiptoes through the door covered in motor oil in episode 1002. This is the only time the red logo on the left side of the boot is visible. There are a few slight variations of this trinket on eBay which feature a different red and black logo.

Spotted on the far right side of the screen as Ed returns home in Episode 1002.

A slow tracking shot in Episode 1003 of the Hurley’s home shows the boot among other souvenirs that Nadine collects.

It’s still found on the shelf in Episodes 1006 and 1007 as Ed is seen leaving and coming home.

In Episodes 2005 and 2006, the boot has moved to a different shelf.

Though it appears on the shelf inside the front door consistently throughout the series, it is noticeably absent when Nadine sends Hank Jennings crashing through the shelf in episode 2013.

But if you look closely, many of the prominently featured trinkets were shifted to the other surfaces in the living room so as not to be destroyed. The boot is safely seated on the end table next to the couch for this scene.

It appears back on the rebuilt shelf where it belongs a few episodes later in 2016.

The final appearance is from Episode 2021 when Dr. Jacoby hosts a therapy session in the Hurley’s living room. I’m assuming the boot is still found in the same spot as Episode 2016 though the darkly lit scene makes it difficult to see.