Uncredited: Jack Mulhall and the decline of stardom

Abstract

Jack Mulhall began his film career in the early days of cinema, and rose, in the 1910s and 1920s, to become a popular romantic lead in both dramas and light comedy. His early screen image of a charming, handsome and fashionable man captured something of cinema's dominant spirit during these decades. With the transition to sound films, however, Mulhall's film career began to decline. He went from Hollywood leading man to the star of Poverty Row potboilers and an uncredited bit player. As I shall argue, the decline of Mulhall's career has less to do with his inability to make the transition to sound film than with the changing of cinematic fashions. His original success in film was due largely to his suitability for roles as the dashing romantic lead in light comedies and dramas. With time, however, these carefree character types began to lose popularity, and Mulhall's fashionable image began to wear out. His presence on screen became awkward, exaggerated, and antiquated; emblematic of outmoded fashions.