The Twilight Zone Radio Dramas

This week we continue to work on “On Thursday We Leave For Home” and it’s coming along just fine. Barry Bostwick gives a stellar performance as Captain Benteen. This episode has some great supporting players in it as well, including Mike Starr, Christian Stolte, Elizabeth Ledo, Richard Henzel, Kurt Naebig, JoBe Cerny, Jennifer Joy, Meg Thalken, Tracy Hernandez, Jeff Lupetin and of course Doug James, our series announcer who almost always takes on a role in each story. Two of my kids are in it too, Amanda and C.J. Amari. Both have appeared on other TZ radio dramas. Amanda played opposite Stan Freberg in “The Fugitive” and C.J. played opposite Hal Sparks in “Long Distance Call.” They have the acting bug and so I’ll do my best to not have them end up someday on a True Hollywood Story : )

In other news: I’m also about to launch a new radio series based on Mickey Spillane’s Mike Hammer, Detective. Stacy Keach and I have talked for years about producing a radio drama series on the detective that he portrayed in TV and films. Well, I’m happy to say it has finally taken shape. Here’s some info on it:

THE NEW ADVENTURES OF MICKEY SPILLANE’S MIKE HAMMER

Nobody writes mysteries like Mickey Spillane … and nobody solves them like MIKE HAMMER! The no-holds barred Private Eye returns! This time in fully dramatized “theatre-of-the-mind” audio adventures starring acclaimed actor Stacy Keach, complete with a full supporting cast, sound effects and music.

While other detectives bend and manipulate the law, Hammer holds it in total contempt, seeing it as nothing more than an impediment to justice, the one virtue he holds in absolute esteem. Produced in association with The Mickey Spillane Estate, these brand new audio adventures follow the New York-based Mike Hammer in his self-appointed role of judge, jury and executioner to an assortment of bad guys.

Hammer is supported in his quest for justice by his gorgeous secretary Velda along with Police Captain Pat Chambers, District Attorney Clarence Spencer and Mike’s collection of New York City street people including: Ozzie the Answer, Maya, Mike’s next-door-neighbor and extremely hot yoga teacher, Benny the Knife, Philly Brock, Moochie Burns and Dahlia – the buxom bartender of the Lite ‘N’ Easy Saloon. Even the show’s jazzy theme song “Harlem Nocturne” by Earle Hagen is back, which features a deeply melancholy saxophone, and sets the gritty tone for each episode.

This collection features a trilogy of brand-new Mike Hammer mysteries:

Dangerous Days – When Hammer rescues a crazed young woman clad only in a medical gown, he's flung into the shadowy world of secret ops and international terrorism. New York is the target, and Mike Hammer is the only man who can prevent a massive catastrophe. But will he find out who the real enemy is before it's too late?

Oil and Water – The one woman Mike Hammer might have married is back in town. But when she's murdered after making an appointment with her ex-lover, Mike winds up investigating a massive conspiracy involving a powerful oil company. Hammer thinks he's close to the truth, but has he been played for a sucker all along?

Proof Positive – Mike's secretary, Velda, is seriously injured, and her elderly neighbor is killed when a package containing a memory stick is sent to the wrong address. Who is willing to kill to get their hands on the stick? With Mike's friend Maya in charge of the office, Hammer goes on the trail of America's most explosive secret.

“I don’t want to arrest anyone. I just want to shoot somebody” – Mike Hammer

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The first collection of 3 stories will be available through Blackstone Audio this Fall. Look for Volume 1 at book chains everywhere or at the Blackstone Audio site at www.blackstoneaudio.com

I know that talking about Mike Hammer is off the subject of TZ but since it is dramatized radio, I thought you might want to know about it.

Well, that’s all for this week, catch me next week for more NEWS FROM THE ZONE!