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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: SFSC
Rediscovered: Radio Sam Rides Again
Various and sundry alumni of The San Francisco Suicide Club showed up for the panel I did with Signman: John Law the other night, including Robert Crabill. Robert was mentioning Sam Spade and old time radio — punch in here … Continue reading
Frisco Beat: Secret San Francisco
How about a couple of pics from the panel last Sunday in Jack Kerouac alley? A trifle in front of the stage, to the your left is Vesuvio’s Bar and to the right City Lights Books. At the back Grant … Continue reading
Posted in Frisco, SFSC
Tagged Chinatown, Gregory Corso, Jack Kerouac alley, John Law, North Beach, Ruth Carlson, Secret San Francisco, William Forsythe
Frisco Beat: In the Alley
Jeez. Just when I thought I was out, they pull me back in. . . . In three days I’ve got the talk or panel with Signman: John Law in Oakland, a couple of hours, and done. I figured after … Continue reading
Posted in Frisco, SFSC
Tagged Chuck Prophet, Jack Kerouac alley, John Law, Kevin Hunsanger, San Francisco Cultural History Museum
Suicide Club: Getcher Tickets
A week from today I’ll sit in for a talk with Signman: John Law — I see it’ll cost eight bucks to get in, but we’ll shoot for entertaining. John Q. Publick almost never gets to hear us rattling off yarns about … Continue reading
Frisco Beat: John Law, a.k.a. The Signman
In a couple of weeks a three-month-long exhibit opens up covering some of John Law’s activities over the past four decades. Signman: John Law in the Pro Arts Gallery in Oakland, premiering June 7. You’ve got your art signage as … Continue reading
Suicide Club: Peter Field Drops a Book
A fellow adventurer from the glory days of The San Francisco Suicide Club, 1977-82, has dug around, done a bunch of research, and written a book. I went on one of the first walking tours of the Tenderloin that Peter Field … Continue reading
Suicide Club: Roscoe Arbuckle Kidnapped Caper
On a rotting wharf over the Islais Creek channel, a climactic gundown gets a reenactment — left to right, R. Faraday Nelson as Roscoe “Fatty” Arbuckle (but I’m thinking Ray’s major claim to immortality probably is serving as the model for Roy Batty … Continue reading
Posted in Dash, Frisco, Lit, SFSC
Tagged Black Rock Desert, Bladerunner, Burning Man, Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep?, Fatty Arbuckle, Islais Creek, John Law, Philip K. Dick, R. Faraday Nelson, Roy Batty
Two-Gun Bob: “Found Wounded” in Corpus Christi
I was sitting around, minding my own business, thinking about the closest brushes with death I had back in the days of The San Francisco Suicide Club (1977-1982). When suddenly into the Inbox hops Scott Connors, exclaiming: “Found another one!” … Continue reading
Posted in REH, SFSC
Tagged Brian Leno, Corpus Christi Times, June 11 1936, L. Sprague de Camp, literary suicides, Scott Connors
Rediscovered: The Bill Breiding Omnibus
Pretty much the last thing I might have expected to roll in would have been an omnibus — under the banner of Rose Motel — of Bill Breiding’s “Fanzine Pieces 1980-2014.” Years pass and I don’t hear from Bill, then Bingo. … Continue reading
Posted in Frisco, Lit, News, SFSC
Tagged Bill Breiding, Burning Man, Cacophony Society, Clan Breiding, Fritz Leiber, G. Sutton Breiding, Gary Warne
Frisco Beat: October 4, On Air with Burrito Justice
On Tuesday October 4 I drop into the studio from noon to 2p.m. for an episode of the Burrito Justice Show, a.k.a. the Burrito Justice League — I believe Burrito himself will be on the control panel and Nicole Gluckstern … Continue reading
Posted in Frisco, Lit, News, SFSC, Tour
Tagged Alex Haley, Burrito Justice, Fritz Leiber Tour, Jan Kerouac, literary streets, Literary World of San Francisco, Nicole Gluckstern, Richard Henry Dana