2hotFeature one of my absolute favorites!

Doomtomylo a film so unique, intoxicating and bizarre that it not only demands another viewing, but is also forgivable as a satirical comedy where the jokes eventually take the back seat.

Catangro After playing with our expectations, this turns out to be a very different sort of film.

Scarlet The film never slows down or bores, plunging from one harrowing sequence to the next.

Karl Ericsson Spencer Tracy is of course superb but that is not what this review is about. Unfortunately, the truth is only hinted at in this movie but it nevertheless shows some of the impossible struggle that goodness has to fight in a capitalist system and probably any other power-system. In comparison, the Swiss system of Direct Democracy is far less manageable by power and far more penetrable for goodness.Capitalism and goodness are simply each others opposites and the result is always a compromise in which goodness always looses the more capitalism is allowed to win. The evil rich man's heaven and the good rich man's way to poverty, that's capitalism. You could also say that it is theft that is coming and theft that is going and theft that stays the same in the hands of Rothschild's, Rockefeller's and the like.This film is about that impossible balance in trying to create something good in what is bad. The film offers no solution to that problem and that is its strength, since there is no solution and only an endless struggle as long as capitalism or any other power-system is allowed to exist.

John T. Ryan We're not really sure just what it is that quality that the Irish people posses that predisposes them for success at the "Science" and Art of Politics. Scarcely getting their feet wet, the Immigrant from the Emerald Isle when they saw their children out and about working the Precincts for the local Democratic Ward Committeemen. Thus the very people who Good Queen Victoria had told the World were sub-human; short-cut their way to success. The cold realities of the "NINA" Signs* were circumvented all completely with the application of the 'Old Blarney' (Gift of Gab) and a lot of elbow grease.With their numbers in the ranks growing, it wasn't too long a time before that the Alderman (or City Councilman) as well as the real "Power Behind the Throne", the Party Ward Committeeman, were Irish also. The only next logical step is to have the Candidate at the top of the ticket as one of their own.In our own home town of "broad shoulders, Hog Butcher to the World, Stacker of Wheat", …..etc., Chicago, there has been a long standing tradition of a Political Organization or, to put it more bluntly, "The Machine." So, that we have seen a number of different Boss Men in charge in the 20th Century.And this isn't to insinuate that all of the Head Guys were Irish; though the leading exponent of Machine Politics was the Late Richard J. Daley, Mayor of Chicago (1955-1976) and Father of our current Mayor, Richard M. Daley. Over the years we've had City Bosses of various pedigrees and even a Republican, Big Bill Thompson, who ran on a plank of keeping the Saloons open and even promised to punch King George V of Great Britain in the nose. West side Political Powerhouse, Anton J. Cermak, a Czech immigrant, took the reins of the organization during a 2 year short-circuited Mayoral Administration (1931-33). He was struck down by the bullet of assassin Giuseppe Zangara in Miami, Florida, February 15, 1933. This was during an appearance with President-elect Franklin D. Roosevelt. The assumption was that the bullet was meant for Roosevelt, but nobody knows for sure.Others to "ascend the Throne of the Organization/Machine were Edward J. Kelly (1933-47), Martin H. Kennelly (1947-51), Michael A. Bilandic (1976-79), Jane M. Byrne (1979-83), Harold L. Washington (1983-87), Eugene Sawyer (1987-89) and Richard M. Daley (1989-Present). Please forgive my relating all of this similarity to Chicago. Enough of this, already, so ……………… OUR STORY Long time Mayor Frank Skeffington (Spencer Tracy) of an un-named Bostonian-type Big City is facing an election after being in office of one form or another most of his life. Being an old pro, and facing challenge from College Boy-upstart, Kevin McCluskey (Charles B. Fitzsimmons), there is nothing that seems extraordinary about this election. So we are to follow Mr. Skeffington all day long during the last stretch of the election.We see it all through the eyes of Adam Caulfield (Jeffrey Hunter) a newspaper man who is assigned to cover the Campaign of his somewhat estranged Uncle. In addition to the Public Man, we get to see the day to day functions of the Skeffington no one ever sees.In addition to regular duties as the City's Chief Executive, All of us are present when he decides on who a new statue in city park shall be made. The Mayor brings in a host of "mourners" for a socially solitary constituent and gets the widow a rock bottom price by using a little City Hall Arm Twisting on Mortician Johnny Degnan; gently reminding him that his business licensing is up for renewal soon. He also garners support he needs from the City's Bluebloods by "appointing" Amos Force, Jr. (O.Z. Whitehead) the nitwit sissified son of Amos Force (John Carradine) to be the new "Fire Chief", complete with Black Mail Photos.The campaign progresses and the public turns Frank out of office. In making concession speech he announces his new campaign for Governor, which would go unrequited as he is stricken with a highly debilitating stroke. Confined to his bed, all of his political allies and some of the old rivals come by to pay their respects. Frank dies.Director John Ford took an excellent adaptation of the novel and transformed it into great film. Use of the archival-like effect of the Black & White was well executed and effective. Ford & writers Edwin O'Connell (novel) & Frank S. Nugent (screenplay) use ironic twist of having Frank Skeffington, Jr. (Arthur Walsh) characterized as a useless, goodtime, Prodigal Son type; having no interest in his Father's Mayoralty or his declining physical condition.One thing for sure though is that Mr. John Ford put together a super talented cast; some of the regulars, others working with him for the first time. These include: Pat O'Brien, Basil Rathbone, Diane Foster, Donald Crisp, Frank McHugh, James Flavin, James Gleason, Ed Brophy, Basil Ruysdael, Willis Bouchey, Ricardo Cortez, Wallace Ford, Carleton Young, Frank Albertson, Edmund Lowe, William Leslie, Anna Lee, and Ken Curtis. Jane Darwell, Ruth Warren, Helen Westscott, Mimi Doyle, Danny Borzage, William Forrest, Frank Sully, Charles Sullivan and others too numerous to name here.NOTE: * The "NINA" stands for "No Irish Need Apply"signs, which were commonplace in our big cities in the mid to late 19th Century.

didi-5 Tracy plays Irish-American Frank Skeffington, an old hand re-seeking political office for one last time, with dreams of helping the slums along, and, along with his cronies, leading the victory parade on St Patrick's Day. Will he make it? 'The Last Hurrah' is a tour-de-force, with John Ford's sharp direction, and several old timers making an appearance, such as Basil Rathbone as one of Tracy's more vehement opponents. Tracy of course is as excellent as ever, and there are some nice scenes between him and Jeffrey Hunter (playing his nephew).Whether showcasing the camaraderie between Skeffington and his supporters, or giving the viewer a masterclass in acting, 'The Last Hurrah' cannot really be faulted. Even if the last half-hour of the film is a bit cloying, Tracy's last line is on target and raises a smile as the end card comes up.Incidentally, this film was made in 1958, a time when black and white films mixed with those in colour to no-one's detriment. It would be interesting to see if a similar subject would come across as well today, in colour. It makes one long for the return of black and white for some genres.

Stephen Alfieri "The Last Hurrah" tells the story of old-time, machine driven, local politics. Both the good and the bad sides.On the good, you had a cluster of politicos who worked hard for their citizenry. Efficient, powerful and determined, they could get the job done, with a pat on the back or the wink of an eye.On the bad you had a cluster of politicos who expected a quid pro quo for favors they delivered. They expected those they helped to help them at the polls. They also usually helped members of their own group more than other people, as well.In "The Last Hurrah", this type of old-time politics is coming to an end. Television campaigns are being introduced, and at least one of the candidates is learning that you can reach more people in a two minute ad, than you can by standing on local street corners giving speeches. It is the dawn of a new political era.Spencer Tracy plays Mayor Skeffington, an old political pro, who is about to run his last campaign. He believes in the old ways. Pressing the flesh, meeting his constituency face to face. He is more apt to apply the pressure of his office in order to get what he wants, than he is to seek a consensus on matters. Tracy is perfect in this role. In many ways it is Tracy's last hurrah. He would appear in only a handful of films after this one. Since the film was made in 1958, you could also say that his style of acting is giving way to a new breed as well.Jeffrey Hunter is effective as Tracy's nephew. A political neophyte, who learns to admire Skeffington the man, and mayor.Tracy is surrounded by one of the best supporting casts to be seen on film. His "backroom" boys are Pat O'Brien, James Gleason, and Edward Brophy. Watching them, you get the sense of the type of "cigar filled rooms" they worked in to get deals done.Basil Rathbone, Donald Crisp, John Carradine are all perfect in their roles as well. Wallace Ford and Frank McHugh add "local flavor" to their roles as traditional opponents to Skeffington.But it is Tracy who carries this film, and he does so handsomely. I am one who believes that many of his best performances were his last ones. I think because he seemed more natural and there seems to be less effort and fewer mannerisms in these performances. "The Last Hurrah" demonstrates this.Tracy at the top of his game with many of his, and Ford's, old cronies, making another classic.