How about the Darren McGavin "Mike Hammer?" (1 Viewer)

1950s, 78 episodes. Whoever controls it ought to strike while the Night Stalker is hot and get some sets together. I doubt if Mr. McGavin could be involved in any way with his unfortunate health situation. Anyone interested?

I've never even heard of it, sounds interesting though.

Michael, check out Mr. McGavin's website. There are links to Mike Hammer and some of his other TV work on the left side of the page.

I'm glad to hear it's been restored. One day, somebody will get the idea that recovering the cost of that restoration work through DVD sales would be a good idea (yeah, I know they get paid by Encore to gain access to the prints).

Universal has been getting more active in releasing older shows, but they have all been fairly high-profile. This series seems to be relatively unknown, so it'll probably be later rather than sooner.

I've never seen Mcgavin's Mike Hammer show, I bet he was great in the role I'd give it a try. There's just so fewer and fewer new shows I'm watching of late, I love classic TV it just so much better.

There's a good interview with McGavin about Mike Hammer at that site linked above.

The prints shown on Encore Mystery several years back were indeed marvelous looking. I'd pick it up were it ever released on dvd, as I always enjoy McGavin, and he was terrific in this. Even though the series itself was a bit tacky at times! Lurid violence, boozy dames, seedy characters, catfights... all wrapped up in a cheesey, low-budget Revue production. I always particularly loved the end credits, with its evocative theme, and the spinning shots of the city skyscrapers.

This is a really good show but don't hold your breath looking for Universal to release it. With few exceptions (Alfred Hitchcock, Leave it to Beaver), Universal really has no interest in their 50s shows. Shows like M Squad, Love That Bob, Dragnet, Bachelor Father and many others are not even thought about anymore at Universal. Mike Hammer might have a slight chance, only because they were already remastered and they wouldn't have to do anything with them other than slap them on a DVD.

When it comes to Universal, no task is TOO SIMPLE...

Sad, sad news. Darren McGavin has left us. Maybe Universal will see fit to honor his life and acting talent by giving this series a much deserved DVD release.

You will be missed, Darren. When it comes to my list of favorite actors, you've always been near the top. May your work live forever.

Like I said under a different thread, you'll be able to pick up a copy of Mike Hammer w/Darren McGavin on September 20, when its released on that date by A&E Home Video via NBC Universal, so rejoice!

I'm a fan of much of Darren McGavin's work, but not Mike Hammer. That series was primitive even by late 1950s standards! The narration also dates it badly. Darren was much better on "Riverboat" and of course as Kolchak, the Night Stalker. But if you want to see him in a quality private detective series, try to get a hold of "The Outsider" -- a one-season wonder from the late 1960s.

Executive said:

I'm a fan of much of Darren McGavin's work, but not Mike Hammer. That series was primitive even by late 1950s standards! The narration also dates it badly. Darren was much better on "Riverboat" and of course as Kolchak, the Night Stalker. But if you want to see him in a quality private detective series, try to get a hold of "The Outsider" -- a one-season wonder from the late 1960s.

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I've never seen McGavin's Mike Hammer...might give it a try at the right price...However, I totally agree with you Jeff about "The Outsider"...a then unique and wonderfully affecting show from '68-'69...as I recall, a depressed and neurotic protagonist, maybe even slightly agoraphobic and ultimately suicidal (?) poverty stricken private detective in an often desperate state himself who nonetheless was functional enough to make his way effectively through a well written show from week to week...I remember really loving this show in just a few airings...IMO it shared some thematic elements with the later Rockford Files, and though McGavin's David Ross was a much darker and troubled character than Jim Rockford and much less formulaic, I do remember "The Outsider" having a lot of dark humour in it...I honestly have not seen this show since first run so if anyone has a different recollection or interpretive take on this show I'd love to hear them...Thanks Jeff/Executive for bringing this up !

The Outsider. Thomas Film Classics in Detroit area has this available on DVD. It comes up as Thomas Film Classics on Google Search

moviepas said:

The Outsider. Thomas Film Classics in Detroit area has this available on DVD. It comes up as Thomas Film Classics on Google Search

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Nothing new there. Those episodes have been in circulation among collectors for 20 years. And the pilot movie and the 2 re-edited movies ran to death in syndication. I've no idea who these people are so I would hate to see what generation these copies are that they are bootlegging.

Neil Brock said:

Nothing new there. Those episodes have been in circulation among collectors for 20 years. And the pilot movie and the 2 re-edited movies ran to death in syndication. I've no idea who these people are so I would hate to see what generation these copies are that they are bootlegging.

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I have bought from them and they do a top notch job finding good quality prints and use high quality disks. Nuff said. Do not want to get in trouble with the power that be.

I didn't see any other threads regarding the classic Darren McGavin as Mike Hammer series.


Lionsgate / A&E home video released the series as a complete set years back.


I have finished season 1 and I have to say I wish this show went on more seasons. So many great guest stars, In season 1 Angie Dickinson was in two great episodes.


The quality is ranges from great to passable when it comes to some of the audio on some episodes. but overall this is best quality they can get from the master tapes. (not to be confused with how bad a show like route 66 is on disc)


The show usually hovers around 23.00 on amazon worth every dollar IMO,


great episodes directed by Boris Sagal and always surprised by the level of violence in the shows and the womanizing. I love the show.


(the only other threads I could locate for Mike Hammer were for the Stacy Keach version)

I recently got the complete set and I am really enjoying the episodes. It is a series that I have never seen before getting the complete series.