Mike Hammer (TV Series)

Letter Edged in Blackmail (1958)

Darren McGavin: Mike Hammer

Photos 

Quotes 

• Lucille Hart : Mike, I've been thinking. You know, we really have no right to drag you into this mess.

  Mike Hammer : Well, honey, don't let a few bumps and bruises bother you. It's all part of the business. It will show up in the bill.

  Lucille Hart : I know...

  Mike Hammer : You know, nobody invited me into this - I invited myself in. This afternoon, somebody tried to put a dent in my ego; tonight, somebody tried to put a dent in my head - maybe the same guy. I just want to meet this fellow... one more time.

• Carl Reuter : You're being ridiculous. If I have something belonging to a client of yours, why don't you take me to court... take me to the police.

  Mike Hammer : Oh, she can't go to the police. That letter says she was using those jewels to pay off a debt to you. Those jewels were later reported stolen.

  Carl Reuter : Well, in that case your client's in no condition to do me any harm, is she?

  Mike Hammer : Legally, no. That's why she came to me.

  Carl Reuter : You? What can you do?

  [Hammer smashes him in the stomach] 

• Mike Hammer : Yeah, that's right, my client can't go to the police - but neither can you, Reuter! That's right, no matter what I do to you, you can't go to the police.

  [Hammer pounds Reuter in the face and stomach] 

  Mike Hammer : You know, I hate men who live off women. Yeah, it's going to be a real pleasure convincing you... the only problem is I don't think you're going to hold out long enough to make it worth my while.

• Mike Hammer : You know, Reuter, this was a social call - I was on my best behavior. If you don't get those letters in my office by midnight, the next call won't be so social.

• [last lines] 

  Lucille Hart : It's too late, Mike... Oh, Mike, I had it all figured out. With those letters, I didn't need Reuter any more - it could all be mine! I was playing for both of us, Mike...

  Mike Hammer : No, baby, it just looked that way. In a deal like this, the payoff is always grief... It's always grief or a shroud.