When you come down to it, change is inevitable, even in Hollywood. Such is the case with THE LAST HURRAH, a solid political story of new versus old, but after watching this classic for the better part of fifty years, you can't help but tip your hat to some fine actors whose careers were also coming to an end. Perhaps producers had this in mind, as it was a reunion of sorts, of veteran actors, all of whom made their mark in Hollywood years ago, including Spencer Tracy. It truly is a fascinating film of a once dynamic mayor of a New England town who discovers, when its far too late, that his captivating style and his constituents have long left him. Depressing in spots, yes, but outstanding in its viewpoint, which carries over to contemporary politics, but the gathering of these movie greats are a must see, particularly Basil Rathbone who turns in a hard-hitting performance as Tracy's arch-enemy. It was also a sad farewell to two terrific characters actors, namely James Gleason and Ed Brophy, who passed within a few years of the movie's release. So there you have it, a good old fashioned story with a stellar cast, just don't let it get to you.
Review of The Last Hurrah
