Mutual Broadcasting System 1953. Larry Haines as Mike Hammer. The premiere of That Hammer Guy on December 30, 1952, was the beginning of a ninety-one episode series of hard-boiled Mickey Spillane mystery and adventures. The series premiered with Inner Sanctum workhorse Larry Haines as Mike Hammer, aided by Jan Miner in the role of Velda, Hammer's secretary and love interest, as well as several other roles in the ensemble cast. By about three months into the run, the series attempts--rather unsuccessfully--to rename itself, Mickey Spillane-Mystery or Mickey Spillane, Mystery depending on the outlet. Neither name ever really took, and the majority of the newspaper and magazine listings of the era continued to refer to the series as either That Hammer Guy, Mike Hammer, or Mickey Spillane Mysteries.