Daley: The Last Boss

Granted, an hour-long film can't capture Richard J. Daley's importance as a political figure, but this documentary gives a solid, useful overview of the man's life and importance as Chicago's most controversial mayor in recent memory and, arguably, as the last old-style political city boss in American political history.

The film covers the scope of his life (from birth in Chicago's Irish Bridheport neighborhood in 1902) to his death in 1976 (in his doctor's office, while still mayor). It approaches his strengths, such as his ability to build on a large scale and make significant infrastructure improvements to Chicago, as well as his weaknesses, which include his inability to cope with changing race relations and his cronyism. History enthusiasts and instructors would likely get the most from this well-made documentary.