Category Archives: Film

Rediscovered: The Leno Library Goes Skull Island

Posted on September 18, 2026 by Don

Brian Leno popped in a pic a couple of days ago. “Just wanted to show you my new purchase,” Brian said. “I think it’s cool as hell and it’s the right Kong — not the later bullshit. Judging by his … Continue reading →

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Rediscovered: De Camp the Fan

Posted on August 22, 2026 by Don

Autograph Hound Saturday yet again, and we bring our old pal L. Sprague de Camp back with another John Hancock. He also does the weirdest personal “I” that I (imagine a regular I) recall offhand. De Camp of course mightily … Continue reading →

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Sinister Cinema: Abraham Polonsky — Dangerous Citizen

Posted on August 19, 2026 by Don

Tuesday August 18, 7pm — it felt like the meeting of a secret society. Always fun. Eddie Muller of TCM’s Noir Alley sent out an invite to a private screening in the 4-Star on Clement for his new documentary Dangerous … Continue reading →

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Rediscovered: Ex Libris Virgil Finlay

Posted on May 30, 2026 by Don

Autograph Hound Saturday. You know the drill. Another week has passed, and Autograph Hound Brian Leno has added more signatures to his collection. A thousand John Hancocks in the naked city. . . . This is the story of one. … Continue reading →

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Hammett: Birthday 132

Posted on May 27, 2026 by Don

Today, Hammett’s 132nd birthday. And the guy keeps hanging in. On May 1st he cracked Jeopardy! again. S4E170. In the Double Jeopardy round. Category: Life on TCM. $800 clew: In “The Thin Man” Myrna Loy catches up to her husband … Continue reading →

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Hollywood Beat: That Photogenic Mug, Jim Tully

Posted on May 16, 2026 by Don

Autograph Hound Saturday yet again. . . . Back in 2012 I made a run down to Hollywood to hit Musso & Frank and hobnob with my fellow wizards. Leo Grin had mentioned that he noticed a nice signed photo … Continue reading →

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Rediscovered: William Desmond Taylor

Posted on February 7, 2026 by Don

And in this case, as usual, rediscovered in Brian Leno’s storied trove. Autograph Hound Saturday once more — and here’s Brian: I’m really digging into my autograph folders, probably just procrastinating to avoid stacking and shelving books. I don’t know … Continue reading →

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Rediscovered: Random John Hancocks

Posted on January 31, 2026 by Don

Autograph Hound Saturday again, and the maniacal Autograph Hound Brian Leno has been digging around in his trove, reminding himself of what he’s got. “The Intruder by Beaumont is interesting,” Brian says, “because the dust jacket is signed by William … Continue reading →

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Hammett: Jeopardy! Won’t Leave Him Alone

Posted on January 11, 2026 by Don

The week ended with Jeopardy! invoking Hammett’s name yet again: S42E90. 1/9/26. A Champions Wildcard showdown. Double Jeopardy round, $2000 slot in the category Adapted for High School: Rian Johnson adapted what he called “the weirdly poetic style of Dashiell … Continue reading →

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Hammett: Dashammet

Posted on December 26, 2025 by Don

Will Murray digs away in aging archives, turning up cool tidbits. Here’s Will: I came across these excerpts from Mort Weisinger’s Pony Express gossip column in Writer’s Review back in the 1930s. “DASHIELL HAMMETT is busy in Hollywood working for … Continue reading →

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