Let’s jump in the boat and take a trip to you know where … One Eyed Jacks in Twin Peaks. This Setting the Stage article looks at the exterior scenes at the Canadian casino and brothel in the first two seasons.
ONE-EYED JACKS EXTERIOR IN EPISODE 1.002
The first appearance of One Eyed Jacks takes place in episode 1.002. After being reunited at The Great Northern Hotel, the brothers Horne jump in their boat and head north to the casino and brothel. The footage of their boat was captured at Lake Malibou.
Prior to the Horne brother docking their boat at One Eyed Jacks, there is a short establishing shot of a fur-coated woman standing next to a neon sign with flashing red “J”. This is the only time this particular shot is seen in the series.
The scene cuts to the Horne brothers’ boat pulling up to a dock. They are greeted by Swabbie (Charlie Spradling South), a woman dressed as a scantily clad sailor from One Eyed Jacks.
The sign and the boat dock are part of a private residence in Agoura Hills, California. The exterior scenes (and some interiors) for episodes 1.002, 1.006, and 1.007 were shot at this home. Additional episodes recycled some of the exterior sign footage as you will see below.
ONE-EYED JACKS EXTERIOR IN EPISODE 1.006
The same neon sign (sans fur-coated woman) from episode 1.002 returns in episode 1.006.
The red “J” flashes on and off before cutting to Cooper and Big Ed inside One Eyed Jacks. Notice the bird walking in the bottom right corner.
While Cooper and Big Ed survey the scene inside, Deputy Hawk listens in his surveillance van stationed outside. The scene was shot near the private residence in Agoura Hills with the 1985 GMC Vandura van parked on Crags Drive. Most likely the crew shot the van from the boat dock where the Horne brothers arrived in episode 1.002.
ONE-EYED JACKS EXTERIOR IN EPISODE 1.007
In episode 1.007, there is a close up shot of the flashing neon sign first seen in episodes 1.002 and 1.006.
The same surveillance van shot first seen in Episode 1006 was recycled for Episode 1007. This episode was the last appearance of One Eyed Jacks in Season 1.
The close up of the neon sign was reused in Episode 2001 prior to the scene between Ben and Audrey Horne.
A slightly cropped shot of the neon sign first used in Episode 1006 reappeared in Episode 2002.
Episode 2005 has extended scenes at One Eyed Jacks both outside and in when Cooper and Truman rescue Audrey Horne. Early in the episode, there is an establishing shot similar to one used in Episode 1006 (notice the top of the bird in the bottom right corner).
Later in the episode, the same close up from Episode 1007 and 2001 was used again. This is the final time the neon sign will be seen in the series.
The mission to rescue Audrey Horne starts with Truman and Cooper outside One Eyed Jacks. Unlike Episodes 1002, 1006, and 1007, this scene takes place on a set.
As they approach an entrance to One Eyed Jack’s, they spot a bodyguard played by the late Michael Vendrell. He was a stunt coordinator, stuntman, and actor who died on February 17, 2013.
The exterior walls look very similar to part of The Great Northern Hotel set (even the fact there is double doors and the door handles appear to match).
As Truman approaches the bodyguard, Agent Cooper hears and spots a Great Horned Owl (most likely an insert shot picked up in a different spot).
A close up of the bodyguard is seen just before Truman uses him to open the door.
Cooper and Truman drag the knocked out bodyguard inside the doors. The inside looks like a prop storage area. I’m wondering if any of those items appear in other episodes. Add them to the list of things to find.
Cooper closes the doors as they continue their rescue mission to find Audrey.
Once Cooper and Truman rescue Audrey Horne, they head toward the exit. They are stopped by another bodyguard played by Bob Apisa, a former Michigan State University football player turned stunt actor (see this PBS interview for a fascinating interview about his life and career).
With help from Deputy Hawk, they escape One Eyed Jacks with Audrey.
As they leave One Eyed Jacks, there is an extended outdoor scene that is unique to the series.
Hank Jennings reports the escape scene to Ben Horne using a Motorola DynaTAC 8000X, one of the first mobile phones introduced in 1984 with a price tag of $3,995.
He’s confronted by Jean Renault who finds Hank is carrying Daryl Lodwick’s stolen District Attorney badge.
This ends the exterior scenes at One Eyed Jacks. The location is used in one more time in Episode 2010 but only an interior scene in Blackie’s former office is shown.
