Except for Shannon Whirry as Velda (and the occasional appearance of D.A. Barrington who is now mayor!), this is a poor imiation of the 1984-87 CBS series. It has none of the great supporting characters, nor the flash and production values of the original. One wonders why this was released on DVD and the original hasn't been.
Probably because the entire series fit in one box set and was cheaper to license/produce?
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i think it is great show...
I agree, I love this show. However, I have never seen the original 80's version, so I have nothing to compare it to.
I can't really comment on the cheap production values of the sets. I haven't really noticed anything that would stand out as cheap production, aside from lou's bar. That place looks like half a room masquerading as a bar.
I will agree with some people who have said this 90's version has terrible actors. Of course Stacy Keach is superb, and Shannon Whirry is usually good, but Shane Conrad is pretty bad, the first few episodes really showcasing that, although he seems to get better little by little as the show runs it's course.
What keeps it together, for me, is the writing. Although the acting is bad, the writing still manages to make it believable.
Ultimately, What won me over about the show was two things; The voice overs, and the music.
Shane Conrad has to be, in my opinion, a major contributing factor in why this makeover of the series was destined to fail. Whatever his connections might have been to give him the role, this actor is likewise destined to fail . . . BIG. He is without a doubt sorely lacking in any appreciable acting talent whatsoever, and why he is even in the show amazes me. And why Stacy Keach consented to act alongside him amazes me even further.
sharesomething about the cheapness of this makes it more appealing to me. The older take is better but they were working with a limited palette here against all odds. I love it.
shareThey completely changed the tone. This one was just an outright spoof. The original was so much better (especially season 1, before Keach went away for a while).
shareRich Little Bails Out Mike Hammer
February 02, 1985| UPI
When actor Stacy Keach was thrown into an English prison on a cocaine smuggling charge, plans for the final three episodes of the "Mickey Spillane's Mike Hammer" TV series were thrown into chaos.
Keach didn't escape from prison, but his voice found its way back to the set, thanks to impressionist Rich Little. And the show went on.
"Stacy had done all the dialogue but not the narration," Little explained. "I had to learn to do his voice in three days. All three shows have been on the air and nobody complained, so I guess it worked OK."
Made in America...
by illegal aliens.
This show lost me it had Mike Hammer holding his weapon sideways. Only a jackass would do that.
shareIt might have something to do with distribution rights and licensing.
shareI haven't seen the earlier one (from the 80s?). Does it take place in the 80s, or 40s?
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