The Last Hurrah

Spencer Tracy stars in John Ford's sentimental adaptation of Edwin O'Connor's novel about the final campaign of a big city mayor, loosely based upon the life of Boston politician James Curley. Tracy is Frank Skeffington, the political boss of an Eastern city dominated by Irish-Americans. Skeffington ...more

The Last Hurrah is a solid political drama, entertainingly assembled by director John Ford and starring Spencer Tracy in one of his most charismatic roles. Though the details have been changed, this is very much a film about Irish political power in Boston. Ford seems to be suggesting that a little bit of corruption makes a city run better. Though his protagonist is a man of compromised ethics, you also get the idea that he's been a good mayor. The supporting cast is a treasure, with many ...more