Yo, el jurado

I consider this film to be the best one about Mike Hammer, with Biff Elliott's performance the definitive Mike Hammer. Harry Essex's script is excellent and contains many improvements on Mickey Spillane's novel. His direction is strong and imaginative, and he makes fine use of light and shadow. The camera work by John Alton is top-notch, as is the score by Franz Waxman. The cast includes many veteran players, as well as Peggie Castle in her memorable performance as Charlotte Manning. All in all, this is one of the finest private eye films ever made. Biff Elliott and Haary Essex should have received more opportunities. I have always treasured this film.

The screen debut of Mike Hammer 'force of nature' and self-appointed judge, jury and executioner. Biff Elliott had an apt name to portray a detective who tends to punch in the mouth first and asks questions later. He does talk like a man whom has been hit over the head on numerous occasions but is totally outclassed by his co-star Peggie Castle, sensational as the duplicitous shrink Charlotte Manning. The narrative seems to consist almost entirely of scenes of vicious beatings-up and murders, and as in so many other movies of its type, the hero can take any amount of punches to the face and emerge unscathed. I might have found it all rather tiresome had the film been more efficiently constructed, but the generous amount of ludicrous dialogue and the generally ham-fisted approach made it almost perversely entertaining. I was amused by good old Elisha Cook Jr. and his queen bee, though this inadvertently pointed Hammer in the right direction. The finale, with the now desperate Charlotte's attempted seduction of Hammer, is unforgettable.

The first film adaptation of a Mickey Spillane novel, filmed in 3D and starring one of the all-time nobodies, Biff Elliot, as Mike Hammer. He looks like William Bendix's younger brother and acts like Lon Chaney, Jr. in "Of Mice and Men." The selling point of any movie based on a Spillane story, aside from the violence, should be the dialogue. That's true here, with lots of tough noir one-liners. Unfortunately, many of those are bellowed by Elliot, who barges into every scene like he's mad someone made him take this job. Seriously, watch this guy stomp around. Someone hired this moose to act and this is what they got. Even the film's famous final scene is tainted by his inability to deliver a line with emotion.

On the plus side, the movie was photographed by John Alton. He makes the most of the cheap production values. Good use of the Bradbury Building, which is recognizable to fans of films like D.O.A. and Blade Runner. Nice score from Franz Waxman. The supporting cast includes many lesser known actors but there are a few old pros like Preston Foster, John Qualen, and Elisha Cook, Jr. How any of them kept a straight face while that sack of meat was barking at them is beyond me. Attractive Peggie Castle makes an unconvincing psychologist and is even less convincing as a woman attracted to Elliot.

This movie has a lot that prevents it from being great. But all of the other issues combined don't equal the sheer ineptitude of casting Biff Elliot as Mike Hammer. This was his film debut and he never did anything this big again. He worked fairly steady for decades, mostly in television. I have no idea why he was cast. Worked cheap? Saved the producer's life? Knew where the bodies were buried? I don't know. All I do know is he stinks in this.

Quite a surprise, this one, based on the Mickey Spillane book, done very much in the film noir style and shot in 3-D! Actually watching this flat it is only the opening with the dying man crawling towards the camera with his hand reaching forward that I was aware of the 3-D origins and we are swiftly on to an absorbing thriller. Not as tough and sexy as the book but a really decent effort with some super shadowy location filming. Biff Elliot, of whom I had never heard, is fine in the lead, if not sensational but the crackling dialogue and constant action keep things moving along nicely while Peggie Castle is great as the femme fatale. Low budget and maybe nothing too special but tight and bold. Very likable.

This is such a tough-guy noir that it almost comes off as a take-off.

I, the Jury concerns Mike Hammer's search for the killer of his friend, Jack. Eventually other people who attended the same party as Jack are killed as well.

From what I gather, this was shown in 3-D some time in 2003, with the star, Biff Elliott (then 80) present. The audience loved it - mainly because all the dialogue is now considered "camp."

One thing Elliot could do was beat up people, since he had previously been a boxer. Just no dimension to the character. I would have loved to have seen someone like Ralph Meeker in this film.

Of note was the very neat opening scene, which I imagine played very well in 3-D. The last scene of the film was very effective as well.

The women in the movie were lovely - Mary Anderson does a good job as Eileen Vickers. Margaret Sheridan was a lovely Velda, and Peggie Castle was a stunning Charlotte, one of the many women in love with Mike. The other performances were okay.

As the first film Mike Hammer, one would assume it brought Elliot attention and, in other hands, could have been a star-making role. Though he continued working for years, it wasn't as a star. Sadly I think better casting would have helped "I, The Jury" immensely.