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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: Film
Mort: Raquel Welch
Upon news of her passing today at the age of 82, Autograph Hound Brian Leno pulled his signed Raquel Welch print from his stacks and stacks of autos. From One Million Years B. C., of course. I usually misquote a … Continue reading
Sinister Cinema: A Marlowesque Neeson
Brian Wallace slipped me the dope back in 2019 that Liam Neeson was lined up to portray Philip Marlowe in a flick. Now he sends along a review of the finished film by Stephanie Bunbury. You know people will argue … 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
Sinister Cinema: Superman Live
Autograph Hound Super-Sunday once more, and from his extensive files of John Hancocks stacked on top of John Hancocks, Brian Leno sends in Kirk Alyn — the first actor to portray Superman in live action. Brian noted, “Am enjoying the … Continue reading
Posted in Film, Frisco
Tagged Autographs, Bo Derek, Brian Leno, Hugh Jackman, Kirk Alyn, Mr T, Patrick Warburton, Redd Foxx, Superman, Virginia O'Brien
Sinister Cinema: Patrick Warburton
Onscreen in The Woman Chaser, Patrick Warburton plays one of the most unlikable characters you’ll ever meet — before and after the movie, though, you’re talking to one of the friendliest people you’ll find in the bar of the Alamo … Continue reading
Posted in Film, Frisco, Willeford
Tagged Alamo Drafthouse, Dragonard, Lemony Snicket, Oliver Reed, Patrick Warburton, Peter Serafinowicz, The Woman Chaser
Sinister Cinema: The Producer
Willeford said he sent his 1960 novel in under the title The Director, before Newsstand Library changed it to The Woman Chaser. The director for the movie didn’t make it to this screening (I heard it may have been an … Continue reading
Posted in Film, Willeford
Tagged Beto O'Rourke, Joe McSpadden, Patrick Warburton, Sonny Carl Davis, The Woman Chaser, Willie Nelson
Rediscovered: For the Q&A
Toward the Q&A following the screening of The Woman Chaser with Patrick Warburton in the role of Richard Hudson, I poked around in my book Willeford for any tidbits of info on the novel — a Paperback Original released by … Continue reading
Posted in Film, Lit, News, Willeford
Tagged Alamo Drafthouse, Book Collecting, Patrick Warburton, The Woman Chaser
Sinister Cinema: Q&A
For the Alamo Drafthouse special screening of The Woman Chaser on December 7, they followed the film with a Q&A featuring — left to right, above — me, Joe McSpadden, Patrick Warburton (panelists) and Jake Isgar (moderator). Don’t think I’d … Continue reading
Posted in Film, News, Willeford
Tagged Alamo Drafthouse, Jake Isgar, Joe McSpadden, Patrick Warburton, The Woman Chaser
Sinister Cinema: The Woman Chaser
Joe McSpadden, producer for 1999’s The Woman Chaser, mentioned that the December 7 showing in the Alamo Drafthouse put the movie on the largest screen ever — swell deal for cineastes. Above, a still frame of star Patrick Warburton as … Continue reading
Posted in Film, Frisco, Lit, News, Willeford
Tagged Alamo Drafthouse, Jake Isgar, Joe McSpadden, Pacific Film Archive, Patrick Warburton, The Woman Chaser
Rediscovered: Dr. Caligari
And for his final Halloween auto for the day Brian Leno evokes the past: Three years ago we showcased Conrad Veidt and Lil Dagover from The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari. This time around we have the good doctor himself, Werner … Continue reading