Twin Peaks and The Big Sleep

Pamela Tarajcak's blog post on the Twin Peaks: Between Two Worlds site notes parallels between Twin Peaks and Howard Hawk's The Big Sleep. It inspired me to watch the film and make this companion piece. Ms. Tarajcak may have noted more visual instances that I've overlooked. 

Please refer to their piece before continuing.

From Wikipedia, "Los Angeles private detective Philip Marlowe is summoned to the mansion of General Sternwood, who wants to resolve "gambling debts" that his daughter Carmen owes to bookseller Arthur Geiger." Twin Peaks' Judge Clinton Sternwood seems to have been named in the General's honor.

General Sternwood grows orchids as an excuse to have a greenhouse, as he loves and needs the warmth. The elderly man is wrapped in blankets while Marlowe (Bogart) visibly suffers from the heat, reminding me of Donna's comment about the warmth of Harold's living room. Also, note that General Sternwood uses an old-fashioned wheelchair similar to the one Leo Johnson uses.

Philip Marlowe wears an overcoat similar to Agent Cooper's. A standard for Film Noir detectives.

Image source.

Marlow finds one of General Sternwood's daughters, Carmen (Martha Vickers), in a drugged state in Geiger's house. The woman sits in a chair in an empty ornate room, lost in her own world, before Marlow strikes her and roughly escorts her to the sofa so that she can sleep. A scenario Tarajcak noted bears strong similarities to that of Audrey's ordeal at One-Eyed Jack's.

Jacques "consoles" Audrey.

Marlowe explores the house where he discovered Carmen. In a hiding place within the head of a statue, he finds a camera. This instantly reminded me of two things: The camera at Jacques' cabin in the woods and the many secret places in which Twin Peaks citizens hide items. To further tie Audrey to the scene where Carmen is found drugged, the film from the camera contains pictures of Ms. Sternwood in her semi-unconscious state, which the photographer intends to use as blackmail. Audrey was filmed by The New Girl and Emory Battis as proof of her condition, which Jean Renault showed Ben Horne to gain an upper hand.

Marlow opens the camera to look for the film.

Deputy Hawk inspects the camera at Jacques' cabin.

Marlowe looks through a book found in the same apartment.

Audrey Horne searches Emory Battis' black book.

One evening, Marlowe finds Carmen waiting for him in his room. It is a moment slightly similar to when Agent Cooper enters his hotel room to find Audrey Horne waiting for him in his bed. According to the Wikipedia page for the film, the novel paints a picture remarkably similar to what happens in Twin Peaks.  "Carmen is described as being nude in Geiger's house and later nude and in Marlowe's bed. To pass the censorship, changes were made; Carmen had to be fully dressed ... The scene of Carmen in Marlowe's bed was replaced with a scene in which she appears, fully dressed, sitting in Marlowe's apartment, when he promptly kicks her out. "

Note the spelling of Marlowe's first name matches that of Philip Gerard.

While investigating, Marlowe finds himself in a casino filled with beautiful women.

Cooper at One-Eyed Jack's.

The casino in The Big Sleep.

One-Eyed Jack's.

Marlowe later visits a diner, which calls to mind the diners in the original series and The Return.

When Marlowe uses the payphone at the diner, a sign in the background reminds me of the signs seen throughout the Double R Diner advertising items from the menu.

One sign is to Hank's side, another in the background. 

A few additional notes:

• General Sternwood's other daughter is named Vivian (Lauren Bacall). Norma Jennings' mother (or stepmother, according to The Final Dossier) is named Vivian Smythe Niles. 
• A fellow detective is named Bernie. Jacques and Jean Renault's younger brother Bernard was known as Bernie. 
• The police lift a Packard automobile from a vast body of water. 
• The bookseller Gieger's left eye is said to be made of glass. This reminds me of Nadine's left eyepatch.
• As Tarajcak writes, Carmen and Vivian contain elements of Audrey. Carmen is flirtatious and direct with her intentions, despite her innocent act. While her sister Vivian is serious and  sophisticated. Vivian also reminds me somewhat of season two Donna Hayward.
  
  
  A video with footage of Carmen:
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  Marlowe meets Vivian:
  
  
  
  
  
•  Vivian sits atop Marlowe's desk, bothered by an itch on the side of her leg. Marlowe finally tells her to go ahead and scratch, and she briefly lifts her skirt above her knee. So much is said in the scene. It almost seems a perfect example of what can be communicated without being too overt. Their chemistry is palpable and reminiscent of Audrey and Cooper.
  
  
  
  Image source.
  

The Big Sleep is at times confusing, though worthwhile if you are a fan of Bogart and Bacall or Film Noir in general.