Monthly Archives: December 2015

Hammett: Win Some Lose Some

Posted on December 31, 2015 by Don

How about the Hitchcockesque pic above to close out the year? Shot in the stairwell in the Mechanics’ Library after one of my talks about Hammett or noir. I feel noir just looking at it. And kind of dizzy, too. … Continue reading →

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FLIVVER: The Robert E. Howard WORD OF THE YEAR

Posted on December 29, 2015 by Don

From my first published review in Nyctalops in 1974, I have now spent four decades defending the literary legacy of Robert E. Howard — ironically enough, his work as often needs defense from the very people who claim to be … Continue reading →

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Rediscovered: Under the Xmas Tree

Posted on December 28, 2015 by Don

In recent years I haven’t been finding many books under the old Xmas Tree, but the fact is that I get books all the time — for Xmas, a book would have to have some special vibe to it. And … Continue reading →

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Rediscovered: A Little Xmas Present for Hardboiled Fans

Posted on December 25, 2015 by Don

When I did my PW interview with James Crumley back in 2001 I only had a certain word count I could squeeze in. I moved some of the Qs & As back and forth for flow. And we had one … Continue reading →

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Rediscovered: Xmas Noir

Posted on December 18, 2015 by Don

Got a note from the Jersey Noir photog Mark Krajnak — he appreciated my comparison of his cover for the new Race Williams omnibus to Alan Ladd, somehow summoning that sort of evocative iconography. That’s what happens with art, if you … Continue reading →

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Rediscovered: A 15 Year Anniversary

Posted on December 11, 2015 by Don

Say what you will about me, but I’m slow and steady — mostly slow. Or maybe lazy is a more accurate term. Sure, I can knock out some speed if needed, do a book in a couple of months. But … Continue reading →

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Hammett: The Last Stand

Posted on December 10, 2015 by Don

How about a couple more pics from the panel in Mechanics’ Library on September 30? From left to right, both images: me, Nathan Ward, David Fechheimer — bottom shot, I’m holding aloft for the crowd to gander a November 4, 1975 issue … Continue reading →

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Rediscovered: Jeopardy! Hits the Hammett Clew Pile Again

Posted on December 9, 2015 by Don

In July I reported on Hammett showing up in another round of Jeopardy! and said: Will they eventually run out of Hammett clews — or is “Who is Dashiell Hammett?” an endless source? I wasn’t worried about the well running dry. You’ve … Continue reading →

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Sinister Cinema: Hammett Easter Egg in Arrow

Posted on December 8, 2015 by Don

Check out the screen grab above. Is there anyone who surfs into Up and Down These Mean Streets who does not recognize the back of a Maltese Falcon statue modeled from the one in the Bogie flick when they see … Continue reading →

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Rediscovered: Leigh Brackett at 100

Posted on December 7, 2015 by Don

Leigh Brackett would have been 26 the day Pearl Harbor came under attack, and today is birthday 100. My pal Morgan Holmes mentioned the anniversary to me the other day, saying various people were doing an array of blog posts … Continue reading →

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