TV Reviews : ‘Scandalous Mayor’ and His Last Hurrah

In some ways, watching “Scandalous Mayor,” a segment of “The American Experience” airing tonight (at 8 on KVCR Channel 24, at 9 on KCET Channel 28 and KPBS Channel 15), is an hour of deja vu . This look at the life of James Michael Curley can’t help but bring to mind Edwin O’Connor’s novel, “The Last Hurrah,” and the 1958 movie of the same name.

Curley--four-time Boston mayor, congressman and Massachusetts governor--was the inspiration for O’Connor’s protagonist, a man who was equally beloved and scorned.

“Scandalous Mayor” is Curley’s story, but writer-producer Thomas Lennon skillfully and entertainingly uses that story to illuminate the rough-and-tumble of American ethnic politics. Here the battle was between Boston’s ruling Brahmins and the immigrant Irish.

The anger of the Irish working class propelled Curley to office--and his own resentment of the Yankees colored all his decisions and practices through the years. When he won his first mayoral election in 1914, one of Beacon Hill’s elite exclaimed: “God help the rich now that Curley is mayor!”

But even though he had the power and the votes, Curley could not get the respect he craved. He supported Franklin Roosevelt for President in 1932, hoping to get a major post in return. When F.D.R. offered him the ambassadorship to Poland, he refused, bitter at the job’s lack of stature.

There were many investigations over the years charging Curley with corruption; all served to endear him to his constituents. He finally did time in 1945 for a relatively minor offense--and was welcomed back to office as a hero.

It was his last hurrah. He wasn’t re-elected and nine years later, at the age of 84, he died. Thousands came to say goodby as he lay in wake.