THE LAST HURRAH, based on the book by Edwin O’Connor and
turned into this film in 1958, was directed by John Ford and starred Spencer
Tracy. Both men were older by this time but still at the top of their game. Their
combined efforts made what could have been a boring political drama one that
holds your attention start to finish.
Tracy plays Frank Skeffington, the mayor of a New England
city. He’s been mayor for four terms now and this fifth time out will most likely
be his last, his last hurrah. Skeffington knows how the games are played using
graft and strong arm tactics in the past to achieve the accomplishments he’s
made. Support from his Irish Catholic based should help him win this election
but it will be different than before.
A group of elite are against his winning again, still upset
over his removal of their power in favor of his base. A Protestant bishop, newspaper
publisher Amos Force (John Carradine), banker Norman Cass (Basil Rathbone), and
others including as Skeffington's childhood friend Catholic Cardinal Burke
(Donald Crisp) stand against him. In an effort to remove him and replace him
with a candidate they can control they bring on Kevin McCluskey (Charles B.
Fitzsimmons), a naïve war hero and lawyer with no political experience.
Following the campaign trail for the local newspaper run by
Force is Adam Caulfield (Jeffrey Hunter), Skeffington’s nephew. Skeffington
invites him along for the ride to witness how things transpire behind the
scenes and to show him that the methods of campaigning are soon to change. Gone
will be the handshaking, baby kissing and personal appearances replaced by
radio and TV ads.
As Adam follows the campaign he supports his uncle at first
but then is turned off, in particular when Skeffington attends the wake of an
old friend. Adam feels this is using a time of sorrow and remorse for political
purposes. It isn’t until later one of Skeffington’s men lets him know that he
did this as a gesture to the widow of his friend to let her feel her husband
was special. In addition to that he gave her $1,000 of his own money.
More political shenanigans take place including a moment
when banker Cass refuses to provide a loan to the city to build affordable
housing. Skeffington uses his political power to force the issues along with a
little side of blackmail. It shows that he’s willing to do what it takes to
keep the city running for the people while those who oppose him will do
anything to stop him no matter who it harms.
It all boils down to the night of the election and what
should be a sure win for Skeffington. But things begin to get closer and closer
until the final count is in. Just who wins and what takes place then is
something to find out if you watch the film.
Shot in black and white the movie is beautiful to look at
especially with this new offering of it from Twilight Time. They always do a
great job of everything they release. In addition to that there isn’t a bad
performance here among the many stars who were once higher on the Hollywood
ladder than when this film was made. In particular Tracy shows why he should be
considered among the greatest of actors to grace the screen. No matter what
role he played you never thought he was acting but believed he was the person on
that screen.
Extras are few here and include an isolated music track, an
audio commentary track with film historians Lem Dobbs, Julie Kirgo and Nick
Redman and the original theatrical trailer. As with all Twilight Time releases
they’re releasing this with a limited edition of just 3,000 units so if you’re
interested buy one today.
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