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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.”
Tag Archives: Noir City
Sinister Cinema: The Fest is Over
Noir City has folded up its sidewalks and slunk off into the night, and almost all that’s left are memories — and a really intriguing puzzle I noticed in the final day’s showing of the film Roadhouse Nights. More on … Continue reading
Posted in Film, Frisco, News
Tagged Ace Atkins, Book Collecting, Creature Features, Fuller Brush Man, Green Apple Books, John Stanley, Kevin Hunsanger, My Favorite Brunette, Noir City, Preston Sturges, Roadhouse Nights, The Attack of the Incredible Killer Scarecrow, The Good Humor Man, Unfiathfully Yours
Hammett: The Film Fest Coming Up Fast
If around the burg on Sunday, don’t forget the close-out to the tenth annual noir movie marathon in the Castro, with a one-day marathon all-its-own of flicks adapted from Dashiell Hammett. You can get the schedule and suitable blurbs from … Continue reading
Posted in Dash, Film, News, Tour
Tagged Castro Theatre, Hammett Tour Book, Huffington Post, Noir City, Thomas Gladysz
Frisco Beat: Falcon, Falcon, Who’s Got a or the Falcon?
Getting slightly busy with the Noir City X action, dropping into the old haunt of Sam Spade’s apartment for pre-opening night drinks with Bill “The Voice of Noir” Arney, who is camping out in his former digs during the festival … Continue reading
Posted in Film, Frisco
Tagged 891 Post, Bill Arney, Drew Bourn, Noir City, The House on Telegraph Hill, Using San Francisco History
Hollywood Beat: A Fante Salon
Just got word that a new literary salon has scheduled its first meeting for Monday January 23 in Musso & Frank — you know, I’m half-thinking about going, if not to this one, then to a later session. What a great place to stage … Continue reading
Posted in Film, Lit, News
Tagged Dan Fante, Hollywood Walk of Fame, John Fante, Musso & Frank, Noir City
891 Post: A Noir Advertisement
I got a Xmas card from Bill Arney — a.k.a. The Voice of Noir — which asked if I had seen the trailer for the tenth anniversary of the Noir City film festival. Turns out it was shot in Sam Spade’s … Continue reading
Sinister Cinema: Lorre Noir
Valentine’s Day again — one of the birthdays of noir. In 1930 — 81 years ago today — Knopf released the first edition of The Maltese Falcon in hardcovers. As I maintain in the short essay “San Francisco Noir” (and to my … Continue reading
Posted in Dash, Film, Frisco, Lit
Tagged Bogie, Falcon from Knopf, Joel Cairo, John Huston, Noir, Noir City, Peter Lorre, Poe, Valentine
Sinister Cinema: Then & Now
Okay, tomorrow (thunderous drum roll, please) Noir City opens in the cavernous Castro Theatre, and if you’d like to check out locations from some of the movies showcased in past years that were shot on location here in San Francisco, have I got the … Continue reading
Sinister Cinema: More Cheese
Five days from now Noir City opens its ten-day run in The Castro Theatre, each double-bill introduced by the Voice of Noir, Bill Arney. As mentioned earlier, Bill also has another movie gig going with his late-night show Cheese Theatre. … Continue reading
Tour: January 23, No Rain or Noir Rain
Various people asked for a walk this month, so show up at noon Sunday January 23 if interested —open to anyone with a tenspot, ready to gumshoe, and it won’t be cancelled because of rain. Check the drop-down menu under … Continue reading
Sinister Cinema: Cheese Theatre
In only ten more days anyone lucky enough to attend Noir City — playing in the Castro Theatre from January 21-30 — will once again thrill to the dulcet tones of Bill Arney, the Voice of Noir, as he announces the opening … Continue reading
Posted in Film, Frisco
Tagged 891 Post, Bill Arney, Castro Theatre, Cheese Theatre, Dwight Frye, Eddie Muller, Noir City