. The film is a fictionalized story about writer Dashiell Hammett
, based on the novel of the same name by Joe Gores
. The film was entered into the 1982 Cannes Film Festival
.
It stars Frederic Forrest
, Marilu Henner
and Peter Boyle
.
San Francisco-based crime novelist Dashiell Hammett, trying to put his Pinkerton
detective days behind him while establishing himself as a writer, finds himself drawn back into his old life one last time by the irresistible call of friendship and to honor a debt.
German director Wenders was hired by Francis Ford Coppola
to direct this film, which was to be his American debut feature.
Why is he tailing me all over town? Does he think I'm pretty or what?
I knew you gone sour, Ryan, but I didn't know you gone simple.
Her name wasn't really Sue Alabama... It was Sue something Greek and unpronounceable.
She primed him and I went in on the cleanup.
Sex was nearly all Sue Alabama ever needed, and she could use it the way some guys use a blackjack.
I can't figure him for a cannon. The only thing Pen Pal would ever use is the U.S. Mail... Extortion.