The DVD releases for the first two seasons of David Lynch and Mark Frost’s Twin Peaks nearly mirrored the series’ release on VHS in the early 1990s. In December 2001, the first seven episode DVD set was released without the pilot episode just like the original VHS release. Despite this fact, it was an exciting time for fans of the “wonderful and strange” show who longed for a better quality transfer of the beloved series. The DVD set release prompted a coordinated marketing and advertising campaign which landed images from the set on the cover of the now defunct Video Business Magazine on October 29, 2001.
VIDEO BUSINESS MAGAZINE AD FOR TWIN PEAKS – THE FIRST SEASON ON DVD
Video Business Magazine served as the source of news about production, marketing, distribution and sales of DVD and VHS, pay-per-view and video-on-demand and digital video. Launched in the early 1990s, it was part of the Reed Business Information company which also published “Daily Variety.” After 20 years of publications, the magazine ceased publishing following the release its January 4, 2010 issue. The company stated their decision to stop was “part of a larger, ongoing strategy to divest itself of most of its business-to-business publications in the U.S.”
Rewinding back to October 29, 2001, subscribers to Video Business Magazine would find the image of Laura Palmer (Sheryl Lee) as a Homecoming Queen on the cover. This was an advertisement for “Twin Peaks – The First Season” being released on special edition DVD on December 4, 2001.
The image nearly mirrors the slipcase cover created for the DVD set, with a faded “Twin Peaks” placed above the photo of Laura.
Similar to the DVD set packaging, the homecoming queen photo was printed on semi-opaque paper and attached over the image of a dead Laura Palmer. The semi-opaque paper could be lifted up to reveal the 17-year-old student.
This image also mirrors the front cover of the DVD set, with the “Twin Peaks” title being placed above Laura’s face.
TWIN PEAKS – THE FIRST SEASON SPECIAL EDITION DVD ADVERTISEMENT
On the inside cover, there was a full-page advertisement for the DVD set. According to the advertisement, the four disc DVD set would contain episodes 1-7 (or 1.001 through 1.007) and have “Collectible ‘Reveal’ Packaging.” The suggested retail price was $59.98. Other special features included:
“Newly Remastered High-Definition transfer of the original television program | Full Screen Version | DTS Digital Surround | 5.1 Dolby Digital Surround | 2.0 Dolby Digital Surround | Interactive Menus | Scene Access | Digitally Remastered | Select episode analysis by the directors | New in-depth interviews with cast and crew including: Series co-creator, Mark Frost, Writers, Directors, Film and Television Experts | Optional Log Lady introductions to each episode | Script Notes: Optional Guide to the “Unseen Twin Peaks” | Rare archival material from Wrapped in Plastic – The official Twin Peaks Magazine”
The pre-order date for the set was listed as November 6, 2001 with the street date listed as December 4, 2001.
The street date for the Region 1 DVD would slip to December 18 that year. Fans could start ordering the set on September 17 via Amazon.
I take a much deeper dive into this set including its packaging in this Twin Peaks Blog article.
Sadly, I only have the cover of Video Business Magazine, which I acquired via an eBay auction. I’m still looking for a complete issue as I was hoping to find additional stories about the DVD release. When it turns up, I’ll update this story.
Download high-resolution images from this article on Flickr – HERE | HERE | HERE
