last hurrah shampoo

An elegy for the hardworking street corner politician, John Ford's The Last Hurrah (1958) presciently tracks the rise of TV-ready public officials, manufactured out of cue cards and staged family cutouts. It makes it tough for a career baby-kisser like Mayor Frank Skeffington (Spencer Tracy), fighting for re-election against not only his empty-headed opponent, but a cadre of political enemies bearing personal, professional and religious grudges that go back to their rough immigrant upbringings. Our tour guide through this minefield is Skeffington's nephew (Jeffrey Hunter), an apolitical journalist who comes to understand - and even admire - his uncle's sometimes heavy-handed way of getting the job done.

But there's no mistake on which side Ford's bread is buttered; that's pretty clear with the casting of Tracey. Called upon to perform some shady maneuvers and a bit of blackmail, underneath is all Skeffington is an honest, generous and deeply moral man surrounded by equally an well-meaning team of followers, all made up of the director's usual complement of endearing characters actors. The Last Hurrah might still be an idealized view of the political machine, but it hints at the horrors to come, and mourns for the men who had the courage to make a difference...not just make a speech.

Twilight Time's 3000-copy limited edition Blu-ray looks just magnificent and is a definite must-buy for Ford fans. Extras include an isolate score track, audio commentary, trailer and liner notes.

On the surface, politics is nothing but background noise in Shampoo (1975), Hal Ashby's carousel of sex, power and love - or lack thereof. Built around Warren Beatty's off-screen reputation as a serial womanizer, the star creates a character that's so self-absorbed he doesn't notice the world changing around him. George (Beatty) is Beverly Hills hottest hairdresser, but his inability to resist bedding his clients is beginning to cause some personal and professional strain. Caught between three lovers (Julie Christie, Goldie Hawn and Lee Grant) on election eve 1968, George winds up starring in his own comedy of errors, bouncing from partner to partner, and finally starting wonder if his carefree lifestyle is really so harmless.

Cut with a very French New Wave approach, Shampoo's has aged well; and despite dealing with fallout from the peace & love generation, its politics are still frighteningly on point. The script (credited to Beatty and the legendary Robert Towne) is obviously more than a bedroom farce, but it takes nearly the entire running time for the truth to sink in. That fact that George is the last realize his life is a sham is an object lesson for a generation who thought they'd save the world...only to let it selfishly wither on the vine.

The Criterion Collection present Ashby's film in a new 4K restoration that looks marvelously clean, bright and blemish free yet still retains that '70s cinema aesthetic. Extras include an excerpt from Beatty's 1998 talk show appearance, interview with critics Mark Harris and Frank Rich and extensive liner notes.