a5c7b9f00b "Star' reporter Torchy Blane is on a mission to expose local crime boss 'Doc' Dolan and his corrupt puppet mayor. Working with a petty thief, she bugs the mayor's office and discovers the existence of Dolan's "little red book" of payoffs and bribes. This information helps her to break into Dolan's house and find the book. Unfortunately Dolan's syndicate is able to pull advertising from "The Star," and coerce them into not printing the story. A frustrated Torchy is turned down by every other paper in town with the exception of principled editor Hubert Ward. The resultant publicity forces a recall election with Ward standing against the corrupt administration. However, after Dolan murders him, the only one willing to run in his place is Torchy. Torchy Blane is investigating the political career of mayor Dr. Dolan, who has installed a corrupt leadership. She demands a new election, and after the opposition's candidate is murdered, she decides to run for mayor. "Torchy Runs For Mayor" was the only film in the series directed by Ray McCarey (brother of the more famous Leo), and the change is noticeable in the film's punchier, more adventurous directorial style compared to its "safer" predecessors. There is a real sense of danger here, with the villains playing it straight. But Torchy is also at her most determined and righteous. The comedy content is reduced, along with Gahagan's part; at the end, even he is transformed into a (mostly) competent action hero! My one main objection is that the title, catchy as it may be, gives away a plot development that occurs late into the movie, robbing it off its surprise factor. **1/2 out of 4. The eighth film in the Torchy Blane series and the final one starring Glenda Farrell and Barton MacLane. This time Torchy is trying to take down a corrupt politician. The title of the movie eventually does happen, although not until late into the picture. It's an exciting, fast-paced B movie. Arguably the best in the series. There's less comedy and more grit in this one. Stars Farrell and MacLane are both in fine form here, as is Tom Kennedy as the lovable Gahagan. Great support from John Miljan, Frank Shannon, Joe Downing, and Irving Bacon.<br/><br/>The first four Torchy Blane movies were fun little B's with a snappy pace and a nice balance of comedy and murder mystery. Then Farrell and MacLane sat out the fifth film. When they returned, things were a little different. The focus was less on Torchy or the Torchy/Steve relationship and more on the movie's villains and comic relief sidekick Gahagan. He's a fun character but I'm glad his part is scaled back in this one. It allows Farrell to shine in her final Torchy movie. The series would continue on with one more movie starring Jane Wyman.
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