Frank Silva's Killer Bob in the “Twin Peaks” International Pilot at Rozz-Tox -- February 28.
Saturday, February 28, 7 p.m.
Rozz-Tox, 2108 Third Avenue, Rock Island IL
With the series' first episode widely regarded as one of the greatest two-hour works in television history, the international pilot for David Lynch's iconic Twin Peaks enjoys a screening at Roxk Island venue Rozz-Tox on February 28, the spoiler-filled overseas version featuring 20 additional minutes not broadcast in the states until it was eventually released on VHS and laser disc.
Created by David Lynch and his longtime collaborator Mark Frost, Twin Peaks was a surrealist mystery-horror drama series Twin Peaks that premiered on ABC on Sunday, April 8, 1990. Written by Frost and Lynch and directed by the latter, the pilot follows the characters of Dale Cooper (Kyle MacLachlan) and Harry S. Truman (Michael Ontkean) as they investigate the death of popular high school student Laura Palmer (Sheryl Lee); Cooper believes the murder has connections to a murder case that occurred a year earlier. In addition to setting the tone for the show, the episode sets up several character and story arcs and marked the appearance of several recurring characters, and the episode received a strong Nielsen household rating and was well received by fans and critics alike.
The pilot was first shown in September of 1989 at the Telluride Film Festival. That same month, Connoisseur ran a cover story calling Twin Peaks "the series that will change TV forever." After viewing the episode, Tom Shales of The Washington Post wrote: "Twin Peaks isn’t just a visit to another town; it’s a visit to another planet. Maybe it will go down in history as a brief and brave experiment. But as can be said of few other TV shows in the near or immediate future: This You Gotta See." On February 10, 1990, the pilot was shown as part of the Miami Film Festival. Sun-Sentinel writer Robert Hurlburt wrote: "the Lynchian sense of impending danger and kinky sexual undercurrents, coupled with excellent music, makes the Twin Peaks pilot work almost too well. You'll want to see the entire package in one sitting."
At the 42nd Primetime Emmy Awards, the pilot episode was nominated six times, including "Outstanding Directing in a Drama Series" for David Lynch, "Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series" for Kyle MacLachlan, and "Outstanding Writing in a Drama Series" for Frost and Lynch. The pilot won two awards, with frequent Lynch collaborator Patricia Norris winning for "Outstanding Costume Design for a Series" and Duwayne Dunham winning the "Outstanding Editing for a Series - Single Camera Production." The pilot also received a Peabody Award in 1990.
Among the extra 20 minutes added to the international pilot are a resolution to the "Who killed Laura Palmer?" mystery, which were filmed in case the pilot wasn't picked up as a series. Rozz-Tox consequently advises patrons to "Be warned, it has MAJOR SPOILERS, and if you haven't watched the show before we do not recommend coming to this screening."
The international pilot of Twin Peaks will be screened in Rock Island on February 28, admission to the 7 p.m. showing is free, and free donuts (naturally) will be available while supplies last. For more information on the night, call (309)200-0978 and visit RozzTox.com.
