MIKE HAMMER - 1953 episode of That Hammer Guy with Ted de Corsia in title role. (Internet text: Camel Cigarettes shared the sponsorship of the initial run of That Hammer Guy. An east coast production out of Mutual's WOR, by Episode No. 43 Larry Haines departed the series when Mutual decided to take the production to the west coast and Don Lee-Mutual's new $3M KHJ/Mutual facilities. George Petrie subbed as Mike Hammer for several epsidoes until veteran tough-guy Ted DeCorsia assumed the role for the remainder of the run. Adapted for Radio by, among others, Edward Adamson, the scripts were the equal of radio noir fare of the era, while liberally punctuated with Mickey Spillane's unique brand of aphorisms, underworld slang, Brooklynese and misogynistic references to the fairer sex. Richard Lewis directed the entire run, keeping the series well-paced, crisp and compelling. With the series split almost equally between Larry Haines and Ted DeCorsia, there's an obvious temptation to compare their respective characterizations. - BoxCar