Fellas, it’s time for a house call to the film location that serves as the exterior of Jacques Renault’s apartment in Twin Peaks – Episodes 1.004 and 1.005. The spot is found in the heart of the Southern Californian mecca of Twin Peaks locations – Malibou Lake Mountain Club in Agoura Hills, California.
WHERE IS JACQUES RENAULT’S APARTMENT LOCATED?
The scenes in both episodes were shot in spots around The Lodge at Malibou Lake, located at 29033 Lake Vista Drive, in Agoura Hills, California.
This is a private facility located on private property, so I’ve been unable to physically visit this venue. I was, however, able to uncover a lot via the modern technological wonders of the day – Google Earth and the World Wide Web.
HISTORY OF THE LODGE AT MALIBOU LAKE
In May 1924, the original grand lodge at Malibou Lake opened it’s doors to members. Designed by Russell & Alpaugh of Los Angeles, it featured a 15-foot wide stone fireplace, a grand dining room and an impressive foyer.
According to MalibouLake.com, the lodge also had a “large patio ran along the exterior of Redwood logs while a locker room and a billiard room provided a private refuge from the women!” Members would find a chef’s kitchen and 24 bedrooms with separate baths for visitors, a trading post, stables, barbecue pit, baseball diamond, a fleet of rowboats, a swimming beach and changing areas.
A fire in 1936 destroyed the original lodge (a common struggle that still exists today in the Santa Monica Mountains). Members rebuilt a slightly smaller lodge with another Russell & Alpaugh design. The clubhouse featured “a ballroom with a fireplace that opens onto a large patio, a speakeasy poker room with a mural of original members, 18 inactive ensuite guest rooms, a swimming pool and tennis court.”
Today, the Lodge hosts weddings, dances, conferences, meetings, and parties of all kinds. The original building’s footprint of the building, along with the stone fireplace rebuilt and guest rooms from 1936 are still there today.
MEMBER MURAL IN THE LODGE AT MALIBOU LAKE
While researching this article, I discovered a 2016 article by Ellen Bloom about the Lodge at Malibou Lake. She discusses the original member murals under restoration at the time in the Poker Room.
The images were taken by Larry Underhill, who I actually met in April 2012 at the 20th Anniversary of Twin Peaks: Fire Walk With Me art exhibition at Copro Gallery in Santa Monica, California. I still have his contact information in my mobile phone. Wonderful and strange coincidence.
Ellen writes:
“Larry photographed as much as he could, considering that this room was used as a holding room for the party in the nearby larger room. We were surprised to see tables, chairs, a movie screen and such propped against the murals, possibly submitting them to more damage. I do hope steps are taken to protect these beautiful murals after they are fully restored.”
But does anyone see what I see?
How about now?
Okay … now?
Is that the Cowboy from David Lynch’s Mulholland Drive? Holy smoke.
The Cowboy was credited to Lafayette Montgomery, but we better know him as Associate Producer of Twin Peaks, Monty Montgomery.
In one part of the mural, a wanted poster of a cowboy lists him as the Malibou Kid.
The resemblance is slightly uncanny … but I don’t think Mr. Montgomery is the Malibou Kid (unless he’s a time traveler).
WHERE IS THE TENNIS COURT AT JACQUES RENAULT’S APARTMENT LOCATED?
The scene in Episode 1004 opens with people playing a tennis match at night. The episode was written by Robert Engles between September and October 1989:
First Draft:
September 26, 1989
Revisions (colors indicate pages with revisions):
October 23, 1989 – BLUE
October 27, 1989 – PINK
October 31, 1989 – YELLOW
Most likely the scenes were then shot around the week of November 14, 1989 as they shot several exteriors of the Johnson House and the scenes with the Log Lady during that week in Agoura Hills.
Google Earth sort of offered a street view of this same spot which is located at these approximate coordinates: 34°06’37.7″N 118°45’21.0″W.
The camera quickly pans to Agent Cooper standing behind the Twin Peaks Sheriff’s Department Ford Bronco as he’s looking at Jacque’s apartment building.
The script describes the action:
EXT. RENAULT’S APARTMENT BUILDING – NIGHT
A rundown apartment building in the Lotown section of Twin Peaks. Truman’s cruiser and Hawk’s squad car are parked outside.
“Lotown” was mentioned earlier in this episode when Cooper and Sheriff Truman question Phillip Gerard (a.k.a. Mike, the One-Armed Man) at the Timber Falls Motel (coincidentally also shot at The Lodge at Mailbou Lake).
TRUMAN
There was a Lydecker assaulted three days ago outside a bar in Lowtown.
“Low Town” is found on the Twin Peaks map in the “Twin Peaks Access Guide to the Town” (see bottom right side of the map above). This time it’s spelled as “Low Town” not “Lotown”
“Lotown” is also mentioned in the Twin Peaks: Fire Walk With Me script when Laura drives to Harold Smith’s place.
73. EXT. TWO LANE BLACK TOP IN LOTOWN – DAY
Laura speeds through Lotown in her mom’s ’56 Roadmaster Buick.
Here’s a look on Google Earth as to where these scenes were shot.
APPROACHING JACQUES RENAULT’S APARTMENT EXTERIOR?
The law enforcement team is then seen running toward the apartment building.
I similar daytime shot is found again in Episode 1005. Part of me thinks they actually shot this for Episode 1004 first before the sun set. Then they shot Cooper and gang approaching. There’s something about the way the light is falling on the scene that makes me think it’s in the afternoon.
Google Earth again offers a similar view of this location. I imagine in 15 years, this image will be photorealistic.
In Episode 1004, the camera cuts to a closer shot of Cooper, Truman and Hawk climbing the stairs toward Jacques’ apartment.
I found a similar shot on WeddingWire.com of the opposite building’s outside staircase.
KNOCKING ON JACQUES RENAULT’S APARTMENT DOOR
The door Truman and team stop at is located approximately at 34°06’36.1″N 118°45’20.9″W. The script describes some of the action:
CUT TO:
INT. RENAULT’S APARTMENT BUILDING – NIGHT
Second floor. Truman, Hawk and Cooper move cautiously down a
corridor to the door. Truman is about to knock but Cooper
stops him, they listen. Cooper nods, Truman knocks.
The broadcast dialogue (top) is different than the scripted version (bottom) for this scene:
TRUMAN
Jacques, it’s Harry Truman. Open the door.
TRUMAN
Mr. Renault, open the door, please, it’s the police.
I’m guessing Jacques would have known Sheriff Truman from interactions at the Roadhouse.
Because the Lodge at Mailbou Lake is a popular wedding destination, there are plenty of photos of people’s celebrations. I couldn’t find an exact match but AisleMemories.com had this image of the Groom’s Room exterior. Notice the white fence and columns with stripes.
Thankfully AisleMemories.com also offered a fantastic video tour of the property which pans down the opposite building. I think the red arrow is about the spot / door where Truman knocks.
BOBBY BRIGGS ESCAPES FROM JACQUES RENAULT’S APARTMENT
The arrival of the law enforcement team surprises Bobby Briggs who is located inside Jacques’ apartment. The interior scenes were shot on a set (that particular scene was captured on November 10, 1989).
Bobby takes off running down the alley behind the building.
Jacques’ apartment was on the second floor so Bobby would have had quite a jump from that second story window. I believe the red arrow pointing to the building is where he “jumps down.” He then runs toward the front of the lodge.
Deputy Hawk quickly departs Jacques’ apartment and hops in the squad car to chase the unknown person fleeing the scene. The lighting in the distance was added by the crew to illuminate the scene.
The car’s license plate – 32780D – is for “The Timber State” which we saw in Episode 1002 on Bobby’s car and later in Episode 2008 on Leland Palmer’s car.
JACQUES RENAULT’S APARTMENT EXTERIOR IN EPISODE 1.005
The final time we see the outside of Jacques Renault’s apartment building is found in Episode 1005 when a deputy climbs the outside staircase. We won’t return to this spot of the rest of the series.
