Mike Hammer: Private Eye

Amazon.com Not to be confused with Mickey Spillane's Mike Hammer, which aired in the mid-'80s, or the several made-for-TV movies produced during that same decade, Mike Hammer Private Eye offers all 26 episodes (totaling more than twenty hours and four double-sided discs) from the single season (1997-98) in which Mickey Spillane's pulp P.I. was revived for a syndicated series. What all of the above have in common is Stacy Keach in the title role; and despite the many Mike Hammers (including Armand Assante, Brian Keith, Ralph Meeker, Darren McGavin, and even author Spillane himself) who preceded him, Keach makes the part his own. He was in his mid-fifties by then, not exactly light on his feet anymore, and sporting a hairpiece that does him no favors. But in Keach's hands, Hammer is an appealing hero, flawed but likable. This time around he's dealing with computers, Internet porn, tobacco company whistle blowers, talk radio blowhards, and other funky features of the late 20th Century, along with the usual whores, junkies, and assorted lowlifes. But Hammer is still a tough-talking, hard-punching lug, engaging in macho repartee ("What're you, drunk?" "Nah, just thirsty"), dispensing world-weary voice-overs ("Art? I couldn't tell a fresco from a Fresca"), and remaining fiercely loyal to his friends and helpers (including Shannon Whirry as sexy secretary Velda and Shane Conrad as kid sidekick Nick) as he doggedly seeks and destroys the bad guys ("I'm not a killer, Mike. I'm a pervert!"). Too bad the rest of Mike Hammer Private Eye (whose meager bonus features include a recent interview with the star) doesn't quite measure up to Keach's engaging performance. The budget for this series was clearly lacking; production values are pretty poor (with cheesy interiors that bring to mind Jack Webb's Dragnet, produced some thirty years earlier), and a good number of the supporting actors are less than stellar. But whereas one could never quite be sure if Webb's Sgt. Joe Friday was as square as he seemed, there's no doubt that Keach and everyone else involved have their tongues planted firmly in cheek, which makes Mike Hammer Private Eye a genuine hoot. At the very least, any show that uses "Harlem Nocturne" for a theme song has got to be worth checking out. --Sam Graham Product Description CREATED BY ACCLAIMED DETECTIVE NOIR AUTHOR MICKEY SPILLANE, PRIVATE EYE MIKE HAMMER IS A HARD-BOILED, TWO FISTED DETECTIVE WHO MIXES IT UP WITH TOUGH GUYS ON A MISSION, CLEAN & DIRTY COPS ON THE BEAT & DROP-DEAD GORGEOUS DAMES WITH PLENTY OF ATTITUDE.
ASIN: B0009GX21O
VSKU: DBV.B0009GX21O.G
Condition: Good
Author/Artist:Stacy Keach|Kent Williams|Shane Conrad|Peter Jason|Shannon Whirry|Malgosia Tomassi|Gregg Daniel|Michael O'Connell|Paul Kersey|Rebekah Chaney|Shelley Malil|Gary McMillan
Binding: Dvd
Note: Any images shown are stock photographs and product may differ from what is shown.
Condition Notes: Individually inspected: Guaranteed to play perfectly or your money back. Case may show wear and may be in library packaging. Ships Fast!