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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.”
Author Archives: Don
Sinister Cinema: Greeks in Hollywood
Paging through Greeks in Hollywood: In the Silent Movie Era, I was stopped in my tracks when I saw the clipping of Jack Pierce, legendary makeup artist, working on Boris Karloff. If you dig the original Universal Monsters, Pierce pretty … Continue reading
Mort: Frederic Forrest
I definitely should record the passing of actor Frederic Forrest on June 23 at the age of 86. For purposes of the Mean Streets, he claims the honor for portraying Dashiell Hammett in the 1982 film Hammett directed by Wim … Continue reading
Hammett: I Just Knew “The Diamond Wager” Sucked
Today Will Murray put out his latest research project over on the Black Gate blog, and every serious Hammett fan will want to take a gander — then do a double-take — and then sit down with a drink to … Continue reading
Hammett: Yet Another Dashiell
You probably know about my little hobby, pretty casual, of recording how the name Dashiell pops up in the culture. From Gotham City to Night Court. I was watching a podcast with Michael Biehn and thought I heard him reference … Continue reading
Hammett: Jeopardy! Again
After sneaking in a Hammett ref toward the end of the year, Jeopardy! threw another one out a few months ago. I made a note at the time, and today seems like a good day to record it: S39 E139 … Continue reading
Sinister Cinema: Wim Wenders’ Hammett
Heard from a guy over in France who plans to do a documentary on the 1982 Wim Wender’s film based on the Joe Gores novel Hammett. Cool aspect — I guess if it all works out — is that the … Continue reading
Posted in Dash, Film, Frisco, News
Tagged 1982 Hammett, Francis Ford Coppola, Joe Gores, Marilu Henner, Roney Blakley, Wim Wenders
Hammett: Birthday 129. . .
May 27th rolls around again, and Hammett begins another year as a shadow ever gumshoeing the mean streets. . . . I believe I have a few tidbits stuck aside to mark the occasion. . . .
Posted in Dash
Hammett: Frisco Apartment on the Block
Yeah, people have been bombarding me with queries about the recent article which reports a Hammett San Francisco residence — 237 Leavenworth — up for sale if you’ve got a few million. Four million — sounds cheap: An early 1920s … Continue reading