Daley, Reel 3

A look at the life and career of Chicago mayor Richard J. Daley, produced for the 10-year anniversary of his death. The show is made up of interviews with Daley's family, friends, colleagues, and critics, as well as much archival footage.

0:00Copy video clip URL John Callaway talks to Seymour Simon, former Alderman and committeeman and Judge in Court of Appeals, Cecil Partie of Illinois State Senate and City Treasurer, and John Stroger, Cook County Commissioner (continued from Part II). Partee talks about Daley’s belief in people.

0:20Copy video clip URL Stroger talks about Daley’s opinions on race. Stroger says he was not colorblind, but that Daley did the best he could, most likely. Stroger faults black citizens for not bringing issues more clearly to the mayor.

1:50Copy video clip URL Simon says that black leaders could not possibly have been more forceful in presenting issues of the black community to the mayor. Simon says the mayor just clearly didn’t want to hear about problems on the South Side.

3:00Copy video clip URL Simon and others talk about what is most memorable about Daley’s administration.

4:16Copy video clip URL Ed Kelly, Democratic Comitteeman talks about skipping a fishing trip with the commissioners and the mayor, despite the mayor’s insistence. As the boat pulls away, Kelly yells “if the boat goes down, it’s all mine!”

5:25Copy video clip URL Bernie Judge talks about Daley helping the family of a killed police officer with his personal time and money. “He was not only a good leader, but a fine man.”

6:43Copy video clip URL Len O’Conner compares Daley’s personality to that of Mike Ditka, and city politics to football.

8:10Copy video clip URL Footage of a St. Patrick’s Day Parade, while Daley waves and watches.

9:15Copy video clip URL Callaway talks to Mary Mullin Junquera, coordinator of Daley’s party headquarters. Mullin talks about Daley’s separation of city and party duties. She talks about arranging appointments for Daley, and his qualities as a boss. She mentions his love of a good filet mignon, and the characters around the party headquarters. Mullin says that party headquarters were always on the second or third floor so that the mayor could take the stairs if he was impatient. She talks about the last time she saw Daley, the day he died.

15:00Copy video clip URL “Only You, Dick Daley.” Footage of Daley over song “Only You” with quote denying corruption, quote about Sermon on the Mount, quote about grade for Chicago Public School system (“Higher than the grade I’d give to you”).

16:30Copy video clip URL Callaway introduces William Braden of the Sun Times, and Al Raby, director of Chicago Campaign for Human Relations.

17:25Copy video clip URL Braden, who has researched a book on Daley, talks about what makes Daley special.

18:10Copy video clip URL Raby talks about his own, very critical view of Daley’s career, apart from his humanism or family life.

19:10Copy video clip URL Braden discusses specific achievements: public works, O’Hare, Circle Campus. He says what he will ultimately be judged on is probably civil rights; he talks about the difference between his record and his support from the black community. Raby says that truly important issues couldn’t be discussed in public arena at all. Daley’s legacy: Robert Taylor Homes, most segregated city in the USA, the ’68 Democratic convention. Raby explains crucial difference between public image of Daley and reality of his politics.

24:35Copy video clip URL Braden sums up sentiment: “I think he did the best he could.”

25:50Copy video clip URL Callaway interviews Eleanor Daley. Eleanor talks about what endeared Daley to her: “A man who loves his mother will love his wife.” She says she knew when they were married that he would work his way up. She discusses her family life, the busy-ness of Daley’s lifestyle, and Daley’s dressing habits.

31:50Copy video clip URL Montage of photos of Daley and wife.

32:50Copy video clip URL Callaway signs off. Final narrated montage about Daley’s life and final credits over interviews.

37:52Copy video clip URL Archival footage of Daley at press conference. He is asked why so many people are leaving the city and moving to the suburbs. In his characteristic style, he replies, “Oh, I don’t know. You could answer that. You’re a journalist. I’m just an ordinary mayor.”

38:16Copy video clip URL End of tape.