The Dain Curse

infobox Book |
name = The Dain Curse
title_orig =
translator =


image_caption = Grossett & Dunlap reprint cover
author = Dashiell Hammett
cover_artist =
country = United States
language = English
series =
genre = Mystery, Crime, Novel
publisher = Knopf (first edition)
release_date = 1929
media_type = Print (Hardcover & Paperback)
pages =
isbn = NA
preceded_by = Red Harvest
followed_by = Maltese Falcon

"The Dain Curse" is a novel written by Dashiell Hammett and published in 1929.

Plot summary

The detective known only as The Continental Op investigates a diamond heist that looks like an inside job. He is told of a supposed curse on the Dain family, said to inflict sudden and violent deaths upon those in their vicinity. Young Gabrielle Leggett (whose mother was a Dain), equally involved in a mysterious cult and a morphine addiction, soon turns up missing -- making her the most likely culprit. But her father has some skeletons in the closet, and nothing is what it seems in this strange, occultish family. The detective untangles a web of robberies, spells, and human sacrifices on his way to a solution to the puzzle.

Characters in "The Dain Curse"

*The Continental Op – Private Detective (called in the miniseries "Hamilton Nash")
*Gabrielle Leggett
*Edgar Leggett – Gabrielle's father
*Owen Fitzstephan

Film, TV or theatrical adaptations

The novel was adapted into a TV miniseries in 1978 by director E.W. Swackhamer starring James Coburn, Hector Elizondo, Jean Simmons, Jason Miller, Nancy Addison (As Gabriella), and in a brief part, a Pre-Star Trek Brent Spiner.

The Mini-series was a handsomely mounted production (for television of the time), with authentic period atmosphere, and a marvelous late 1920's style jazz score by Charles Gross. Over its 4 part run it developed a genuine sense of mystery and tension. The always interesting Jason Miller was particularly good as the Detective's eccentric friend who tries to help him solve the occult flavored death-puzzles. Although purists complained that Coburn looked nothing like "The Continental Op" as described by Hammett, the intention was that Coburn was actually portraying the private detective 'Hamilton Nash' as though it was Hammett himself who was 'solving' the mystery! (Hamilton Nash is an obvious mash-up of Dashiell Hammett) A nice Art Deco gem of a detective movie, it received 2 emmy's (One for the Director) & was nominated for a third. The script (By Robert W. Lenski), won the 1978 Edgar Award for Best Television Feature or Miniseries. A highly edited version of the series was released on VHS tape in the 90's and for years gave many the impression that the film was a 'mess- up' of the story. However, a complete full length 2 disc DVD edition is now available.