After the Thin Man
- Film + Conversation - 6PM
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VIP Meet & Greet with Julie Rivett - 5PM
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After the Thin Man
- A Special Screening with Julie Rivett
Granddaughter of Dashiell Hammett
Saturday, August 8, 2026 | 6PM | $30
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Join us for a classic film screening and lively conversation as part of our "The Giving Screen" series supporting the Presidio Theatre’s programming and community access.
After the Thin Man (1936) reunites Nick and Nora Charles, the effortlessly charming detective duo, in a sophisticated New Year's Eve mystery set in San Francisco. A missing husband, a web of family secrets, and a string of murders unfold with wit, style, and intrigue, culminating in Nick's classic all-in-one-room reveal. Starring William Powell, Myrna Loy, and Jimmy Stewart.
Dashiell Hammett, widely regarded as the father of hard-boiled detective fiction, transformed the mystery genre with sharp dialogue, morally complex characters, and cinematic storytelling. His iconic creations, including Nick and Nora Charles, helped define the tone of modern crime writing and film noir.
Following the film, Julie Rivett joins us on stage for a conversation about her grandfather's life and enduring legacy. A respected scholar, editor, and trustee of the Hammett literary estate, Julie has edited six books by or about Hammett, including Selected Letters of Dashiell Hammett, Return of The Thin Man, and The Big Book of the Continental Op.
VIP Meet & Greet with Julie Rivett
Saturday, August 8, 2026 | 5:00–6:00 PM Members Lounge
Limited to 45 Guests | $30 per person
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Join Julie for an intimate pre-show reception with wine and charcuterie in the Members Lounge. As there will be no audience Q&A during the post-film conversation, this is your chance to meet her in person and get your questions answered.
GET TO KNOW JULIE RIVETT
Julie M. Rivett is the respected scholar, editor, and trustee of her grandfather Dashiell Hammett’s literary estate and she will be at the Presidio Theatre on Saturday, August 8 for a screening of Hammett’s 1936 movie “After The Thin Man” along with a special post-screening Q&A where she to talk about her grandfather's life and her efforts as an advocate for his life and literature.
As one of four Hammett grandchildren, Rivett brings a unique personal and professional perspective to the study of Dashiell Hammett. She has edited six books by or about Hammett, including including Dashiell Hammett: A Daughter Remembers, Selected Letters of Dashiell Hammett (2001), Return of The Thin Man (2012), The Hunter and Other Stories (2013), and The Big Book of the Continental Op (2017).
Although her memories of her grandfather stem from a single childhood visit (captured in the above photo) she has developed an understanding of Hammett that integrates conversations with family and friends, study of Hammett’s public and private writings, and research on his life.
The Presidio Theatre spoke with Rivett to gain more insight into her life and her work.
Tell us about your family tree and a bit about your background.
My mother is Dashiell Hammett’s younger daughter, Jo. She moved from San Francisco
to southern California with her mother and sister in 1929. Other than a brief stint in
Hawaii following my parents’ marriage in 1949, my family has lived continuously in
southern California, mainly in Orange County, where my husband and I raised our two
daughters.
You have been so prolific in publishing and editing books about your grandfather
and such an advocate for his legacy. Can you share any information that
you only recently learned about him?
It’s been an honor, a pleasure, and an extraordinary education to work in support of my
grandfather’s literary legacy. Truly! I’ve learned so much about literature and film, politics, American history, and family history. Recently I’ve been delving into the family lineage, which traces back through Scotland to France and the ruins of the de Chiell castle near Lyon. James Dashiell II was the first to travel to the US, settling in Maryland in the 1860s. I have just learned that the Dashiell family home there, called Long Hill House, will be part of a brand-new state park. There was a celebratory event just weeks ago! I couldn’t attend but hope to visit when the park opens.
When you do these events, what are a few things you like to share with audiences
about his impact on detective stories and film noir?
The breadth of influence my grandfather has had on writers and filmmakers continues to astonish me. Contemporary writers as diverse as Richard Russo, Amor Towles, Joe Gores, and CS Cosby acknowledge their debt as have filmmakers like Rian Johnson and Scott Frank. I’m always eager to break down stereotypes and preconceived notions about my grandfather’s writing. Yes, his work is entertaining and well crafted. But it’s more than just snappy dialogue, criminal capers, and hard-boiled style. Watch for the insights, the serious observations tucked neatly into the narratives.
Do you have a favorite [Hammett] movie or book?
The Maltese Falcon is my personal favorite of the five novels, largely because there’s
so much of my grandfather in Sam Spade. But also because I know how determined he
was to make it good, great even. The Falcon was his breakthrough novel and it
changed his life.
