I love finding Twin Peaks treasures I’ve never seen, even after three decades of being a fan of this wonderful and strange town. Recently, I acquired publicity photos from Spelling Films International for David Lynch’s 1992 masterpiece, Twin Peaks: Fire Walk With Me. The auction lot included a photocopy of what appears to be a press kit published in 1992 which included press releases, production details, spotlights on key cast members and a rarely seen film synopsis that presents Bob Engels and Lynch’s script in a whole new light.
WHAT IS SPELLING FILMS INTERNATIONAL?
Once a part of the Spelling Entertainment Group, Aaron Spelling created Spelling Films International in 1990 to help with film distribution in international markets. In 1995, the company rebranded itself to Spelling Films and became “an in-name only unit and the print logo appeared on covers.” Spelling Films was shut down in 1998 by majority owner Viacom (known today as Paramount Global), who wanted to pool resources into Spelling Television.
In 1992, Lynch’s Twin Peaks: Fire Walk With Me was released in the United States by New Line and was distributed by Spelling Films International in all media in all international territories excluding France.
Based on the way the press releases were written, I’m assuming they were made for the international market. I have the New Line Cinema press kit and the releases do not match.
SPELLING FILMS INTERNATIONAL PRESS KIT FOR TWIN PEAKS: FIRE WALK WITH ME | COVER
The cover page for this press kit filled with press releases and other details contains a high-level list of key cast members from Lynch’s 1992 prequel to Twin Peaks. They include Kyle MacLachlan, Sheryl Lee, Ray Wise, Chris Isaak, Moira Kelly, Harry Dean Stanton, David Bowie, Dana Ashbrook and Peggy Lipton.
For the film’s release in the United Kingdom on November 20, 1992, Kyle MacLachlan was featured in the marketing materials along side Sheryl Lee despite being in the film only a handful of moments. The same is said for other actors on this list like Peggy Lipton, David Bowie and Chris Isaak.
The cover page also only lists David Lynch as the writer and director, yet Bob Engels served as co-author. Executive producers are listed as Lynch and Mark Frost which were probably highlighted as audiences would have recognized their names from the television series. The film was notably produced by Lynch / Frost Productions and CIBY Pictures. Francis Bouygues founded CIBY 2000 (or CIBY Pictures) in 1989 after retiring from Bouygues SA, one of the world’s top construction groups he created in 1952. Bouygues’s film-financing firm supported international cinema projects and help fund Twin Peaks: Fire Walk With Me.
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The first two pages contains a cast list with Kyle MacLachlan again taking top billing. There are a few notable names included such as Victor Rivers playing “Trucker Buck” and Chris Pederson playing “Trucker Tommy.” I only knew them as Buck and Tommy. But the name that leaped out to me is Kim Bendheim who played Lil the Dancer. In other cast lists, Kimberly Ann Cole is listed as Lil which was a fake name.
The actress who played the mysterious dancing redhead was Kim. I located her name a few years ago in a long-forgotten newspaper article. Author and publisher Scott Ryan spoke with her for his “The Red Room Podcast” a few years ago. Kim’s interview is also found Scott’s book, “Twin Peaks: Through the Red Curtain.”
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The third page in the kit contains a partial listing of the filmmakers who created Twin Peaks: Fire Walk With Me. This is the spot where Bob Engels is credited along with Lynch for writing the script. It’s also noted the Gaye Pope served as Unit Publicist and later served as Lynch’s assistant before passing from cancer in 2003. She may have written the copy found in this press kit.
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The next few pages offer some incredible insight in the the film’s productions. I’ll provide a transcript along with a few notable details. The production notes section runs from pages four to eight. The final quote from David Lynch on the last page is my favorite thing ever!
Like every town – like your town – the hamlet of Twin Peaks straddles the worlds of the seen and the unseen. In the seen world the sun rises and sets, people go to work, trucks rumble down the highway. In the unseen world ancient forces, some malevolent, some benign, struggle for control, governed only by the ebb and flow of energy. A hot event – a love affair, a murder, an auto accident – attracts more heat around it; those caught up in these psychic infernos sense that they’re enveloped in fire, but they’re helpless to extinguish the flames.
The truly terrifying unseen force is the element of chance, which manifests itself in the random cruelty of the universe. Those who deserve to suffer aren’t always the ones who do — innocents can be arbitrarily selected for torment, and this is where luck, the wild card in the deck, comes into play.
Some people simply have the bad luck of stumbling down the wrong alleyway at precisely the wrong moment; others pass through dangerous places untouched, often unaware of the peril that surrounds them. Acting in collusion with these unseen forces are those most potent of human drives, love, fear and lust — the wild card in the human heart, which often serves as a spawning ground for evil. This is how it’s always been, and this is where we find ourselves today; creatures torn between the darkness and the light, while the unknown and the unknowable beckon from both directions. These are the key references points on the map of Twin Peaks.
In the critically acclaimed television series “Twin Peaks,” director David Lynch chronicled the aftermath of the mysterious death of Laura Palmer, a high school beauty queen whose body and soul had become the site of a battle to the death between good and evil.
In this movie prequel, “Twin Peaks – Fire Walk With Me,” Lynch returns to the strange town in the Pacific Northwest to explore the converging forces that led to Palmer’s corruption and brutal murder. A metaphysical horror story written by David Lynch and Bob Engels, “Twin Peaks – Fire Walk With Me” is a dark meditation on the magic and extraordinary violence of life as we know it.
As a prequel to the television series it is a natural progression to have most of the cast return in the film. Sheryl Lee is again cast in the role of the beautiful Laura Palmer. “Playing the role of Laura helped me to accept my dark side and to embrace it, ” says Lee.
Sheryl Lee adds, “Working with David was the most amazing, wonderful, creatively satisfying, humbling, challenging, phenomenal experience that an actor could ever hope for. I’ve conquered a lot of my fears working with David.”
“Twin Peaks – Fire Walk With Me” began filming near Seattle on September 4, 1991 with David Lynch directing. After four weeks of shooting in the Pacific Northwest, the crew moved back to the stages in Los Angeles.
The remainder of the film was shot on the stages and on location in Los Angeles. The film wrapped in Los Angeles at the end of October, 1991.
Twin Peaks – Fire Walk With Me” reunited several of the crew from the original pilot. Director of Photography Ron Garcia; production and costume designer, Patricia Norris; and composer Angelo Badalamenti, whose music was a vital part of the series; as well as much of the cast.
Returning cast members from the series Kyle MacLachlan, Ray Wise and Dana Ashbrook all have their own unique experiences of “Twin Peaks – Fire Walk With Me” and of working with David Lynch.
Kyle MacLachlan in the role of “Special Agent Dale Cooper” says on working with David Lynch: “It is like a double cappucino [sic] in the morning and a great glass of cabernet in the evening.”
The role of Leland Palmer, father of Laura Palmer, is played by Ray Wise.
Says Ray, “Working with David is very liberating creatively. It is very stimulating, but most importantly it is just plain or downright FUN! Like a ride in the country with the top down, which by the way, I get to take in the film.”
Sometime boyfriend of Laura Palmer, Bobby Briggs, played by Dana Ashbrook says: “it was great to go back to Washington because it put me in the same place as working on the pilot for the series. Working with David was great. He’s a great man. I’d work with him any place, anywhere, any time.” On playing Bobby Briggs, Dana says, “It was easy getting back into Bobby’s character. I had thought a lot about what happened before Laura’s death before plans had ever been made to do the film.”
Sheryl Lee adds, “Because of David I have done things I never thought I could do. I reached past my own limitations which I put on myself and I’ve grown both as a person and as an actress. After we finished shooting I felt a strong sense of freedom and of being uplifted and inspired. I’m very thankful to David and for the experience and for everybody who worked on the film. The care and support on the set was much appreciated.”
Moira Kelly, who plays Laura’s best friend Donna Hayward, explains, “I was out in L.A. this past summer and I met with David Lynch for about an hour and we talked and he called me in New York and asked me if I would be interested in playing Donna. I said yes.”
“To work with David is exciting. He’s going down in history as one of the greats so it was an honor,” says Moira. “I always look at being on the set or in a film as being part of a circus, but this really takes the cake. This is just one circus act after another. It’s the most amazing thing. David is brilliant. He’s a rebel. He takes what he sees in his head and he does it. He doesn’t care what anyone thinks or says about it,” adds Kelly.
“Twin Peaks – Fire Walk With Me” introduces several new characters played by actors: David Bowie, Harry Dean Stanton, Chris Isaak and Kiefer Sutherland. Bowie, Isaak and Sutherland portray FBI agents. Lynch had all three actors in mind from the beginning. Each had their reasons for wanting to work with the director.
David Bowie comments on his experience with Lynch, “Its like watching a 14-year-old who’s been given permission to rearrange the world for eight weeks. Invigorating. I highly recommend working with David. He’s delightfully and dedicatedly bonkers.” As for playing Phillip Jeffries, missing FBI Agent, Bowie says, “My character is an intensely over-travelled upholder of the law. He has seen too much and has little ability to do much about it. Not dissimilar to the perspective of a rock god, really.” Commenting on his wardrobe in the film Bowie adds: “I stole the belt my character was prone to wear. I’ve worn it a few times on stage with Tin Machine. It consists of two rather garish portraits of Freida Kahlo. A very ‘now’ item. I’m hoping it will lead to a court case producing massive exposure on CNN. Otherwise, I will sell it to the highest bidder…or Madonna, perhaps.”
Kiefer Sutherland in the role of FBI Agent San Stanley explains, “I did the film only to work with David. He was fantastic to work with. I think he is one of the most innovative film makers of our time. Working with him as an actor I watched him make things happen I had never seen before.”
The role of FBI Agent Chester Desmond is being played by Chris Isaak.
Chris wanted to work with Lynch and says, “People say David Lynch is a threat to the community, but I worked with him everyday during the filming of “Twin Peaks – Fire Walk With Me” and he always seemed like such a kind man. Although I must say the candy he gave me kept making me sleepy.”
Music has played a large part in Lynch’s films and “Twin Peaks – Fire Walk With Me” is no exception. Singer Julee Cruise will be featured. Music composed by Angelo Badalamenti and lyrics by David Lynch.
Director David Lynch says: “I love this movie!”
I love seeing quotes from the actors as they capture a moment in time closest to the film’s production. The memories were more fresh compared to today. The most exciting thing was David Bowie describing his Freida Kahlo belt, which is seen in the photo above on stage in London in 1991 and as Special Agent Phillip Jeffries in Twin Peaks: Fire Walk With Me. Bowie was on another level and the world hasn’t been the same since he passed in 2016.
And yes, David Lynch, I love this movie too.
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The next three pages turn a spotlight on key players from Twin Peaks: Fire Walk With Me with short bios that highlight their acting careers.
KYLE MacLACHLAN began his film career — and a working relationship – with director David Lynch in 1984’s “Dune,” Lynch’s adaptation of the science fiction classic.
MacLachlan, a former member of the prestigious Oregon Shakespeare Festival, went on to star in Lynch’s critically acclaimed “Blue Velvet,” before reteaming with Lynch a third time in TV’s “Twin Peaks,” starring as Special Agent Dale Cooper.
His other film credits include “The Hidden,” “Don’t Tell Her It’s Me” and Oliver Stone’s “The Doors,” in which he portrayed keyboardist Ray Manzarek.
SHERYL LEE made her screen debut as the dead Laura Palmer in TV’s “Twin Peaks.” A veteran of the Seattle theater circuit when she was cast as Laura Palmer, Lee also played Laura’s lookalike cousin Madeleine Ferguson in the series, a role which led director David Lynch to cast her as a good witch in this controversial, “Wild At Heart.”
Lee, who attended the American Academy of Dramatic Arts in Pasadena, California, and the National Conservatory Theater in Denver, also had a leading role in the NBC miniseries “Love, Lies & Murder.” Lee most recently completed a role in an Interscope-Electric Pictures feature entitled “Jersey Girls.”
One of television’s most versatile actors, RAY WISE began his TV career playing Jamie Rollins for six years on the daytime soap opera, “Love Of Life.” His many guest starring television credits include “Moonlighting,” “Beauty and the Beast,” “Hunter,” “Hart to Hart,” and “Lou Grant.” He had recurring roles on “Dallas,” “Knots Landing” and “The Colbys” in addition to his role as Leland Palmer in “Twin Peaks.”
Wise is equally at home on the stage, having appeared in more than 90 plays across the country. In 1983, he won an Obie Award, Off-Broadway’s version of the Tony, for his performance in Sam Shepard’s “The Tooth of Crime.”
His film credits include “Swamp Thing,” “Cat People,” “Robocop,” “The Journey of Natty Gann” and “Race For Glory.”
With the role of Special Agent Chet Desmond, singer/musician CHRIS ISAAK takes the biggest step yet in his budding film career.
Isaak, a critically acclaimed singer and songwriter, has recorded three albums. The most recent, “Heart Shaped World,” included the Top Ten hit “Wicked Game,” heard in David Lynch’s “Wild At Heart.”
Previous to “Twin Peaks – Fire Walk With Me,” Issak appeared in Jonathen Demme’s “Married to the Mob” and “The Silence of the Lambs.”
Beautiful MOIRA KELLY has her second major film role as Donna Hayward, Laura Palmer’s virginal best friend.
Kelly’s first starring role is in the upcoming “The Cutting Edge,” in which she plays a figure skater who is forced to team with an ex-hockey player for the Olympics.
One of Hollywood’s most celebrated character actors, HARRY DEAN STANTON plays trailer park manager Carl Rodd.
Stanton’s lengthy film credits include “Cool Hand Luke,” “Farewell, My Lovely,” “The Godfather II,” “Repro Man,” “Wild At Heart” and director Bob Rafaelson’s upcoming “Man Trouble,” starring Jack Nicholson and Ellen Barkin.
NOTE – Man Trouble was released on July 17, 1992 which means this press release must have been drafted before that date. The word “upcoming” means the film had not been released when this document was shared with media or fans of the show.
Rock musician DAVID BOWIE portrays vanishing FBI Agent Phillip Jefferies [sic].
One of rock’s most enduring and legendary performers, Bowie made his film debut in Nicholas Roeg’s “The Man Who Fell To Earth.” He also starred in “Merry Christmas, Mr. Lawrence” in 1983 and “The Hunger” the following year.
PEGGY LIPTON rocketed to fame in the late 1960’s as one of the members of the hit TV show, “The Mod Squad.”
A former model when she landed the role on “The Mod Squad,” Lipton received four Emmy Award nominations for her portrayal of detective Julie Barnes.
When it went off the air in 1973, Lipton left acting to raise a family. She recently returned to acting, starring as a district attorney in the TV movie “Addicted To Love,” as well as her role as Norma Jennings in “Twin Peaks.”
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The final two pages contain a Twin Peaks: Fire Walk With Me synopsis with a note stating it was “not for publication.” This summary was designed to give critics or reporters key information about the film so they could write reviews or stories.
In June 2020, I wrote an extremely detailed article about how there is a synopsis floating around the internet for Twin Peaks: Fire Walk With Me that is incorrect. I’ve tried to get Google to correct it and I’ve contacted movie theatres offering the correct synopsis. My offer still stands for the Google employee that can fix the blatant errors in the synopsis that people are still using.
This two-page synopsis is something completely different. It offers an artistic description of the events that transpired in the Pacific Northwest. I am very curious who write it as it’s quite fascinating.
TWIN PEAKS: FIRE WALK WITH ME
Synopsis
Not for publication
Chronicling the events of the seven days leading up to the brutal murder of Laura Palmer, this TWIN PEAKS movie prequel, FIRE WALK WITH ME, opens on a grisly scene that foreshadows by a year and one week the tragedy soon to befall the seemingly idyllic town; we spy the body of Teresa Banks as it bobs along the Wind River in Washington. This turn of events leads FBI bureau chief Gordon Cole to loudly summon agent Chester Desmond to fly to his office in the neighboring state of Oregon to confer on the baffling case. From the time Desmond gets off the plane–where he’s met by Cole and Cole’s peculiar cousin Lil–clues as to how to crack the mysterious case begin to present themselves, often appearing in startling forms at the most unexpected moments.
Desmond quickly deduces that the malignant current that extinguished Teresa Banks’ life has wended its way through the entire community where she lived, including the local police force. Investigating the shabby trailer park Teresa called home, he stumbles across a clue so charged with meaning that its discovery reveals the Banks’ murder to be riddled with profound implications stretching far beyond the merely tragic. Enter agent Dale Cooper, whose keen intuitive powers are desperately needed in this case fraught with perplexing riddles concerning the very nature of time, space and consciousness.
While these first rate investigative minds struggle to stem the tide of evil as it prepares to claim its next victim, we follow the activities of Laura Palmer as she edges ever closer to release from the demons who’ve left their mark on her. Palmer has experienced physical and emotional extremes that make it impossible for her to resume a normal life ever again; moreover, as we observe the private doings of Palmer’s friends and relatives in Twin Peaks, it becomes evident that many citizens in this town are on a bum trip–and that the beautiful Laura is on the blondest, baddest trip of all.
A “visitation” from an FBI agent presumed dead when he vanished several years earlier sheds further light on the dark conspiracy threatening Palmer’s life, however, this strange messenger has also suffered at the hands of Palmer’s pursuers and is helpless to save her. The warnings of pending disaster become increasingly urgent when a neighbor gives Palmer a gift that leads her to know that the net of destruction is closing in around her, and reveals to her the true source of her torment. As her nightmare becomes ever more real and her drug use and promiscuity accelerate, the downward spiral of her life picks up steam and takes her to an infamously wild nightclub on the U.S./Canadian border, “The Power and the Glory,” where she betrays her best friend Donna, who must finally face the ugly truth about Laura. Laura knows the party’s over for her, that she can no longer function as a vehicle for the evil that’s invaded her heart, and that there is but one escape open to her. She takes it. As our story closes, it becomes clear that the voracious, dark force has not yet finished with the town of Twin Peaks — and that Laura will continue to struggle against it from another place.
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