Product Description

Created by acclaimed detective noir author Mickey Spillane, private eye Mike Hammer (Stacy Keach) is a hard-boiled, two fisted detective who mixes it up with tough guys on a mission, clean and dirty cops on the beat and drop-dead gorgeous dames with plenty of attitude. A steamy throwback to the classic film noir thrillers of the '50s, Mike Hammer is one tough cookie.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #29033 in DVD
• Brand: Tango
• Released on: 2005-07-26
• Rating: NR (Not Rated)
• Aspect ratio: 1.33:1
• Formats: Color, NTSC
• Original language: English
• Number of discs: 4
• Running time: 1200 minutes

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

Customer Reviews

Not close-captioned, but good show
Despite the info above, this item is not close-captioned! So if that kind of thing is important to you, bear this in mind. As for the show itself, I find any Mike Hammer vehicle with Stacy Keach in the role worthwhile. True, the 80's version of the show had a better budget and (usually) bigger name guest stars. (When is that show coming out on DVD, by the way?)
But Keach is as good as ever as an older,wiser Hammer trying to deal with modern-day appliances such as cellphones, computers, etc., while still remaining the gumshoe we know and love. As soon as I hear that saxophone and Keach's voiceover, I'm hooked. You will be too. Highly recommended.

Mickey Spillane's Best Character EVER
What I've always liked about Mike Hammer, is he's down to earth. I love CSI, and I've got perfect vision, but even I would have a hard time spotting the micro sized evidence CSI agents see with their naked eyes from across a room. Come on guys, I know it's just a show, but you've got to be a little realistic, yet that's just what they do. They walk into a crime scene and see a single hair all the way across the room in the carpet. I mean come on!!! Now back to Mike Hammer, He wins most of his fights, and loses a few (even some of the best fighters in the world have lost a few). He collects baseball cards, eats pizza hot or cold, and loves a good looking lady. He figures out his cases by deduction, logic, and luck, and he's often behind on the rent. The series has well timed action, but not overly done like many shows today, and it's not nearly as gory(CSI has gone too far even though it is a favorite program). There's drama, horror, comedy, and of course Spice. And no other actor has ever portrayed the part better than STACY KEACH (bring back the series America!!!)
I've watched these episodes so many times I feel I could quote them word for word. I love'em, and if you like "as real as it gets" detective stories, you'll love it too.

Hammer Redeux
When CBS has the First incarnation of Stacy Keach as Mike Hammer, it was harder and gritter like the books. Then Keach got busted for drugs in England and they canceled Hammer.

I do not remember who revised Hammer. This time saddling with an assistant (played by Robert Conrad's son Shane) and a younger, perkier Velma (played by Shannon Whirry). Thes new adventures of Hammer seek weaker and died a quick death as a series in a season of 26 episodes

All twenty six episodes are here in this box set. One can only wish the first incarnation will be available soon--then you can see the real Mike Hammer as it was in the shows Hayday and glory

Bennet Pomerantz, AUDIOWORLD