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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.”
Category Archives: Dash
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 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
Hammett: Smelling Nice
As noted previously, Jeopardy! hasn’t been piling on the Hammett clews as in the Days of Yore — when Alex Trebek was at the stick. But yesterday S39 E134 for March 16 in the first round they finally eased another … Continue reading
Hammett: Jeopardy! Hits Nick and Nora (And Glass Onion Cameos the Black Bird)
Jeopardy! hasn’t hit the Hammett clew pile lately as much as it did back in the Golden Age of Alex Trebek. But every now and then they just can’t avoid it. . . . For the show broadcast December 23rd, … Continue reading
Posted in Dash, Film, Lit, News
Tagged Alex Trebek, Bill Arney, Glass Onion, Jeopardy!, Madelyn Cline, Rian Johnson
891 Post: In Memoriam Bill Arney
Front, Bill Arney at the dedication ceremony for the plaque on 891 Post Street, March 17, 2005. Behind him, on the right, Jo Hammett, youngest daughter of Dashiell Hammett.
891 Post: The Hidey Hole
On September 20, 2009 I took a shot of the hidden compartment Bill Arney had — mysteriously — set in the floor of the Sam Spade apartment. I guess he figured, Why not? Out of all the Herculean effort Bill … Continue reading
891 Post: Nicotine Yellow
The corner outside the door into the kitchen in the Sam Spade apartment shows some of the roughest rough stage work as Bill Arney labored to get the place ready for a new inhabitant. You can see some of the … Continue reading
