Dashiell Hammett w/ Don Herron

Join us next Thursday July 18th at the Tenderloin Museum for a discussion of the Tenderloin’s preeminent author Dashiell Hammett, and a screening of pre-code adaptations of his most famous novels.

Described by The New York Times as one of Hammett’s “pre-eminent appreciators”, Don Herron, will lead a discussion about Hammett’s work in conjunction with a screening of selections from Hammett’s pre-code film The Maltese Falcon (1931), along with The Thin Man (1934) screened in its entirety. Providing historical reference for both films, Don Herron will discuss Hammett’s relationship with the Tenderloin before the screening.

The Maltese Falcon is the most recognizable novel written by Hammett while he was living in the Tenderloin between 1920-1929. The original film adaptation of The Maltese Falcon (1931) was produced pre-code. Later releases of the film were notably revised catering to a sanitized version following the production code of the 1940s. For decades thereafter, unedited versions of the film were not available in the United States.

The Thin Man was Dashiell Hammett’s final novel (1934). Adapted for film the same year and nominated for an Academy Award, The Thin Man was later translated into a popular television series (1950).

Don Herron has been leading The Dashiell Hammett tour since 1977 — that’s 40 years on the mean streets. Herron’s Dashiell Hammett Tour Book is currently in it’s fourth edition, and his guidebook, The Literary World of San Francisco, was released by City Lights. Herron’s Dashiell Hammett’s tour is the longest lived literary tour covering the Tenderloin.

Reception at 6pm, program at 6:30pm. $10 includes lecture & screening.

Tickets: //www.eventbrite.com/e/dashiell-hammett-with-don-herron-tickets-35799288636