One of Ford's lesser works, indictative of the unevenness of his late period....spoilers....
Added 9/11/2008
This is one of Ford's lesser works, and is indictative of his later work, which was erratic to say the least. While the story of an old time politician losing to a "manufactured" politician who plays well on TV is a great story and still very timely, the film seems tired, as if Ford and Tracy are just going through the motions to get it over with. The film is beautifully shot in black and white, there are some very good performances (Jeffrey Hunter is very good as a reporter and Willis Bouchey as a sworn enemy of Tracy's), but overall, the film feels lethargic and feels very, very long. There seems to be a pall over the proceedings. This may be intentional, as Tracy's character suffers a stroke after losing the election and passes on, but I think it may just be that Ford was getting tired of filmmaking and not really inspired to do great work. The film also feels long, which is very unlike Ford. Ford's best films shoot along at a beautiful pace, but here, his pacing and editing is a let down.
Up until The Searchers, Ford's work was exemplary. There was hardly a dud in any of his films. But after The Searchers, his work became erratic, hovering between brilliance (Liberty Valance and Donovan's Reef), decent work (Sergeant Rutledge, 7 Women), and really bad, tired films (The Horse Soldiers, Two Rode Together, and Wings of Eagles). It was the only time in his career where the bad outweighed the good. The Last Hurrah has some great moments, but overall it's a rather tired exercise, which is a shame, as there was a lot more potential there.
1 out of 2 people found this helpful.
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IF ALL POLITICS IS LOCAL, THIS IS CLASSIC POLITICS
Added 9/6/2008
The films begins with Mayor Frank Skeffington (Tracy) coming down the staircase of his large home and stopping to put a fresh flower in the vase under the picture of his deceased wife. He is soon joined in his large home office by his loyal staff who prepare him for the day's activities and getting ready to run for a fifth term. Soon he opens the door and one by one visits with the hundreds of people that have lined up outside his home to see him, a daily event. He's an old time politician, taking in every event in the city that concerns his people. He's got the people on his side but not the establishment whom he regularly 'blackmails' to get things done for 'his' people. They decide to go after him in this election and put up their own candidate backed by the local paper. It's a fresh, young man who knows how to use the 'new' medium called TV. What follows is classic Tracy with humor and drama as the contest turns into a horse race. The film is widely thought to be based on the life of Boston mayor James Curley. If you like Tracy, politics and a good story, this is worth the time. If, as they say, all politics is local, then this is a classic political film. Terrific acting by all involved and a heart wrenching ending. www.lusreviews.blogspot.com
1 out of 1 people found this helpful.
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Hollywood's Mayoral Politics
Added 5/3/2007
There is a torchlight parade for Frank Skeffington, a famous politician in a New England city. He is running for a fifth term as mayor. Frank is available to every man and woman in the state. Then he looks over his opponents. Next he holds court for his visitors. We see how a newspaper slants the news for their candidate. One of the columnists is Skeffington's nephew, Adam Caulfield. Politics is the greatest spectator sport in America. But its changing; the future is with radio and TV to reach the voters. [This will require huge sums of money and tilt power to the super-rich.] Skeffington explains how the feud began when Grandma worked as a maid to the Force family. Her son became Mayor and Governor, hence the bad feelings. Skeffington's son is a playboy who may never do well. The film explains why a candidate has to be careful what he does. Skeffington shows Adam the old tenement where he was born and raised. Skeffington attends a wake and tries to help a poor widow (a low priced funeral).
The banks refused a loan for urban renewal and public housing (they don't want to lose their profits from slum tenements). Skeffington believes government should work for all the people. A political appointment as fire chief (non-elected?) is used to obtain the loan (it could embarrass a wealthy family). We see how TV broadcasts are rigged for the coalition candidate. But the pet dog doesn't follow the script! [This scene is hilarious!] Is an engaging rogue better than a fool for mayor? Are the educated youth avoiding politics? Skeffington explained how he settled conflicting claims for a statue in the park. It is important to not make enemies. The old mechanical voting machines are in use (they can't be fixed like computerized models). At election night the returns are tallied to the cheers of the people at campaign headquarters. But the results aren't as good as expected. The cheers give way to silence. There is a sad ending to this story.
This film shows how money from big corporations can elect a novice to a top political office. [No mention of the next election.] This Hollywood version of municipal politics avoids the reality of urban renewal. The destruction of old neighborhoods had a bad effect on small businesses and relationships. Only big corporations could buy the larger plots assembled from small owners. It was a transfer of property from ordinary citizens to wealthy corporations. Small homes were destroyed and people were displaced. Jobs and shopping moved to remote malls and industrial parks resulting in the decline of cities.
2 out of 3 people found this helpful.
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Great film with one "flaw"
Added 3/7/2007
I write as a native of Boston old enough to remember, barely, James Michael Curly campaign signs ("Curly Gets Things Done"). This is a great movie with one flaw, and I don't mean to take anything at all away from the inestimable Spencer Tracy. But fidelity to the book and to the memory of Curly CRIED OUT for the move to be presented in that unique English called a Boston accent. Absent that accent, those cadences, that "music," the otherwise wonderful performances in the movie fall somewhat flat.
Still, the movie has many touching details. The Irish wake. The cops and firemen at Skeffington's beck and call. The towering, condescending Yankee-patrician rage of Amos Force toward Skeffington. Poor Force's digestion was surely challenged during that Plymouth Club dining scene. And the figure of Skeffington's faithful little, not-too-bright, hat-holding hanger-on and gofer, Ditto, was evocative. Especially at the end when Ditto, alone with his shadow, slowly climbs the stairs to bid farewell to his master who has just died.
5 out of 5 people found this helpful.
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An average movie!
Added 1/19/2007
I like this movie, because Basil Rathbone is a part of it.
He plays so wonderful, like in his other movies.
But "The last Hurrah" is a little bit of boring, too.
On this DVD is no bonus-material, and for the price it's
not so good.
It's only for fans of Basil, Spencer or the book!
0 out of 5 people found this helpful.
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One of Ford's lesser works, indictative of the unevenness of his late period....spoilers....
Added 9/11/2008
This is one of Ford's lesser works, and is indictative of his later work, which was erratic to say the least. While the story of an old time politician losing to a "manufactured" politician who plays well on TV is a great story and still very timely, the film seems tired, as if Ford and Tracy are just going through the motions to get it over with. The film is beautifully shot in black and white, there are some very good performances (Jeffrey Hunter is very good as a reporter and Willis Bouchey as a sworn enemy of Tracy's), but overall, the film feels lethargic and feels very, very long. There seems to be a pall over the proceedings. This may be intentional, as Tracy's character suffers a stroke after losing the election and passes on, but I think it may just be that Ford was getting tired of filmmaking and not really inspired to do great work. The film also feels long, which is very unlike Ford. Ford's best films shoot along at a beautiful pace, but here, his pacing and editing is a let down.
Up until The Searchers, Ford's work was exemplary. There was hardly a dud in any of his films. But after The Searchers, his work became erratic, hovering between brilliance (Liberty Valance and Donovan's Reef), decent work (Sergeant Rutledge, 7 Women), and really bad, tired films (The Horse Soldiers, Two Rode Together, and Wings of Eagles). It was the only time in his career where the bad outweighed the good. The Last Hurrah has some great moments, but overall it's a rather tired exercise, which is a shame, as there was a lot more potential there.
1 out of 2 people found this helpful.
|
IF ALL POLITICS IS LOCAL, THIS IS CLASSIC POLITICS
Added 9/6/2008
The films begins with Mayor Frank Skeffington (Tracy) coming down the staircase of his large home and stopping to put a fresh flower in the vase under the picture of his deceased wife. He is soon joined in his large home office by his loyal staff who prepare him for the day's activities and getting ready to run for a fifth term. Soon he opens the door and one by one visits with the hundreds of people that have lined up outside his home to see him, a daily event. He's an old time politician, taking in every event in the city that concerns his people. He's got the people on his side but not the establishment whom he regularly 'blackmails' to get things done for 'his' people. They decide to go after him in this election and put up their own candidate backed by the local paper. It's a fresh, young man who knows how to use the 'new' medium called TV. What follows is classic Tracy with humor and drama as the contest turns into a horse race. The film is widely thought to be based on the life of Boston mayor James Curley. If you like Tracy, politics and a good story, this is worth the time. If, as they say, all politics is local, then this is a classic political film. Terrific acting by all involved and a heart wrenching ending. www.lusreviews.blogspot.com
1 out of 1 people found this helpful.
|
Hollywood's Mayoral Politics
Added 5/3/2007
There is a torchlight parade for Frank Skeffington, a famous politician in a New England city. He is running for a fifth term as mayor. Frank is available to every man and woman in the state. Then he looks over his opponents. Next he holds court for his visitors. We see how a newspaper slants the news for their candidate. One of the columnists is Skeffington's nephew, Adam Caulfield. Politics is the greatest spectator sport in America. But its changing; the future is with radio and TV to reach the voters. [This will require huge sums of money and tilt power to the super-rich.] Skeffington explains how the feud began when Grandma worked as a maid to the Force family. Her son became Mayor and Governor, hence the bad feelings. Skeffington's son is a playboy who may never do well. The film explains why a candidate has to be careful what he does. Skeffington shows Adam the old tenement where he was born and raised. Skeffington attends a wake and tries to help a poor widow (a low priced funeral).
The banks refused a loan for urban renewal and public housing (they don't want to lose their profits from slum tenements). Skeffington believes government should work for all the people. A political appointment as fire chief (non-elected?) is used to obtain the loan (it could embarrass a wealthy family). We see how TV broadcasts are rigged for the coalition candidate. But the pet dog doesn't follow the script! [This scene is hilarious!] Is an engaging rogue better than a fool for mayor? Are the educated youth avoiding politics? Skeffington explained how he settled conflicting claims for a statue in the park. It is important to not make enemies. The old mechanical voting machines are in use (they can't be fixed like computerized models). At election night the returns are tallied to the cheers of the people at campaign headquarters. But the results aren't as good as expected. The cheers give way to silence. There is a sad ending to this story.
This film shows how money from big corporations can elect a novice to a top political office. [No mention of the next election.] This Hollywood version of municipal politics avoids the reality of urban renewal. The destruction of old neighborhoods had a bad effect on small businesses and relationships. Only big corporations could buy the larger plots assembled from small owners. It was a transfer of property from ordinary citizens to wealthy corporations. Small homes were destroyed and people were displaced. Jobs and shopping moved to remote malls and industrial parks resulting in the decline of cities.
2 out of 3 people found this helpful.
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