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About DonHerron.com
In 1977 Don Herron began leading The Dashiell Hammett Tour, now the longest-running literary tour in the nation. On this site you’ll find information on current walks — dates, where to meet, arranging tours by appointment — plus a hard-boiled blog with news, reviews of books and film, and a dash of noir.
The latest and greatest edition to self-guide you up and down the mean streets.
Willeford: The Book
Includes the first “Mr. Hunt” story, “Knives in the Dark.”
Monthly Archives: February 2017
Mort: Where’s Miguel?
After the tour on the 26th I made it back to my lair in time to catch most of the Oscars ceremony, including the debacle with Best Picture. Pretty funny. Keep Bonnie as far away from Clyde as possible, that’s … Continue reading
Posted in Film, Tour
Tagged Mary Tyler Moore, Miguel Ferrer, Oscar, Robert Vaughan, Robocop, SAG Awards, The Magnificent Seven
Sinister Cinema: A Fresh Batch of Willefordian Bad Guys
Happened to watch the brand new Netflix movie I Don’t Feel at Home in This World Anymore a couple of nights ago. A 2017 release, fresh as you can get. It’s a “little” movie, but I have no problem with … Continue reading
Hammett: The Maltese Cruise Ship
— and other curiosities of travel to exotic climes! Our pal Kevin Cook recently percolated over to Europe, and sends back a report. First, on whether you can find a Maltese falcon on Malta: “Trust me, you wouldn’t have wanted … Continue reading
Sinister Cinema: “He’s Hicks”
I knocked out the little tribute to the late Bill Paxton the other day as I did my usual morning struggle to wake up. I’ve been aware of him for his entire career — Near Dark, nice reunion of the … Continue reading
Tour: Sunday March 26
As we crawl deeper into the Fortieth Anniversary Year of the Dashiell Hammett Tour, requests for walks are beginning to roll in. The two most recent both happen to want the same day. How often does that happen? In any … Continue reading
Sinister Cinema: “Game Over, Man! Game Over. . . .”
Woke today to the news that Bill Paxton has died from complications from surgery. If you like action movies, a favorite of everybody. From his doomed punk rocker in The Terminator/radio operator in Commando/ goofy Casanova in True Lies — instant … Continue reading
Hammett: Valentine Says Beat It
Eighty-seven years ago today Knopf released a little novel of romance and murder titled The Maltese Falcon. You know the story. You’ve been having an affair with your partner’s wife, and now your partner is dead, and you’re expected to … Continue reading
Frisco Beat: On the Mean Streets with Fritz and Sam
Don’t think that during my deep hibernation of Xmas/The Onset of Winter I did nothing at all, even if doing nothing was the prevailing theme. I remembered that I never polished off the Sherlock Holmes stories decades ago, stopping after the … Continue reading
Posted in Dash, Frisco, Tour
Tagged Fritz Leiber, Fritz Leiber Tour, Halloween, Jim Nelson, M.R. James, Sherlock Holmes, Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, Tenderloin, Xmas
Hammett: Here Comes Da Judge!
I was on the horn yesterday with Brian Leno, and thought to say, “Hey, Brian. Want me to tell you something you don’t know?” Brian didn’t hesitate. “Sure.” “You know that building on TV they keep showing where the Ninth … Continue reading
Posted in Dash, Frisco, News, Tour
Tagged "The Goiden Horseshoe", Black Mask, Brian Leno, Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals
Tour: Oscar Sunday, February 26
I’m not sure how it happens, but I’ve ended up scheduling the first public tour for 2017 for Sunday February 26, meaning I’m bound to miss the start of the Oscar ceremonies. I guess I don’t pay that much attention, … Continue reading
