Listen to “The Most Hated Detectives of Old Time Radio” on Spreaker.

Mickey Spillane created Mike Hammer in 1947 for the Novel I, the Jury. Compared to the hard-boiled private eyes that preceded him, Hammer was a far more brutal, violent detective who had a greater willingness to kill killers in his quest for justice and with a harsher attitude towards criminals and society.

The character appeared in four different TV series, five TV movies, and five motion pictures. The 1952-54 radio series that aired over Mutual showcased some of the character’s rough edges but with far less violence than other media. The series featured three different leads as Hammer (Larry Haines, George Petrie,and Ted DeCorsia).

About the Stars:
Larry Haines (1918-2008): Haines first appeared in radio in 1942 with Gangbusters. He spent much of the 1940s doing character work in a variety programs. With the decline of radio in the mid-1950s, Haines took on starring roles as Mike Hammer in That Hammer Guy and in Easy Money. In 1951, Larry Haines was cast as Stu Bergman in the soap opera Search for Tomorrow and played the role for 35 years winning two daytime Emmys. He also was nominated for two Tony Awards in 1966 and 1969.

 

Ted DeCorsia (1903-73); Radio, Television, and film character actor best known for his role in the film The Enforcer. De Corsia’s radio credit included playing Lieutenant Levinson in Richard Diamond as well as starring as Inspector Peter Black of Scotland Yard in Pursuit. 

 

 

Episode log:

Larry Haines Episodes:

• The Florentine Dagger  (Original Air Date: March 24, 1953)
• There’s Something About a Dame (Original Air Date: March 31, 1953)
• Sophisticated Lady (Original Air Date: April 7, 1953)
• A Peppery Adventure (Original Air Date: April 21, 1953)
• What You Don’t Know About Dames (Original Air Date: April 28, 1953)
• Mike Hammer Sees Red  (Original Air Date: June 2, 1953)

Ted DeCorsia Episodes:

• Jim Gordon: Suicide or Murder? (Sometime in 1954)
• Who’s Got the Last Laugh (Sometime in 1954)
• Some Kind of Satisfaction(Sometime in 1954)
• The More You Kill, The Simpler it Gets (Original Air Date: April 20, 1954)
• Dead Dame in Central Park (Original Air Date: April 27, 1954)

 

Log Complete