Twin Peaks Publicity – Phillip Jeffries Sitting in Gordon Cole’s Office

I find it difficult to believe David Bowie passed ten years ago on January 10, 2016. The world has never been the same since the Thin White Duke returned to the stars. I’m grateful he appeared in my favorite David Lynch film, Twin Peaks: Fire Walk With Me. This publicity photo shows are rare side view of Bowie’s scene at the FBI Office in Philadelphia during the film.

PHILLIP JEFFRIES SITTING AT GORDON COLE’S OFFICE

This publicity photo features the “long lost” Agent Phillip Jeffries (David Bowie) seated in a chair by Regional Bureau Chief Gordon Cole. Agents Dale Cooper and Albert Rosenfield look on as Jeffries explains where he has been. We never see this image in the theatrical cut or The Missing Pieces from 2014. I believe the four dots on the teal carpet are marks the actors should hit to be framed correctly in camera.

The image was most likely taken by the late Lorey Sebastian who served as the on-set photographer for Lynch’s prequel to Twin Peaks.

The image was scanned from page 96 in the “Deluxe Color Cine Album 52,” a book from Japan about Kyle MacLachlan published in 1992.

“I’VE BEEN TO ONE OF THEIR MEETINGS”

The scenes for F.B.I. Office in Twin Peaks: Fire Walk With Me were shot at the former Cabrini Hospital located 967 Boren Ave in Seattle, Washington. The approximate coordinates for the now demolished building spot are 47°36’32.6″N 122°19’31.0″W.

Bowie’s scenes were filmed on Saturday, September 7, 1991 according to the call sheet recently sold at auction by Julien’s Auctions.

In the script by David Lynch and Robert Engles from August 8, 1991, the location is identified as “Gordon’s Office.” When Jeffries enters the office, the chair where he sits is located behind Cole’s desk.

In The Missing Pieces from 2014, we see an extended scene from Jeffries’ return. The script mentions, “Jeffries stumbles to a chair.” In the filmed scene, he appears to stumble while standing next to Cole’s desk which prompts Cooper to grab a chair.

As Cooper steadies the chair behind Jeffries, Cole yells, “Sit down, Jeffries” as he grabs his right arm.

Albert then grabs his left arm, helping Jeffries take a seat.

The publicity photo captures the moment when Jeffries says, “Listen, listen carefully. I’ve been to one of their meetings.”

The August 8, 1991 draft of this scene contains slightly different dialogue where Jeffries mentions he “saw” the meeting above the Convenient Store: “Listen to me carefully. I saw one of their meetings.”

David Bowie was larger than life and, while his appearance was brief, he left an indelible mark in Lynch’s film. More than three decades after its release, we are still talking about his character. I know I’m not the only one who misses this creative genius. Thank you David.