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 familiar faces in key roles. Jeffrey Hunter and Pat O'Brien handle the major supporting scenes, but some of the film's best moments are provided by such veterans as Basil Rathbone, John Carradine, and Ricardo Cortez.