Thomas Meighan’s popularity demonstrates that male screen appeal was not limited to youth. Having transitioned from the theatre to motion pictures at the age of 35, Meighan rose to become one of Paramount’s leading stars by the age of 40: Producer Adolph Zukor, recognising the consistent box-office success of his films, is said to have regarded him as a kind of good-luck charm. “Steadiness” is indeed a particularly apt word for Meighan. His female fans admitted that they preferred “Tom” for his reliability, as well as his decency and courage. On screen, he most often portrayed solitary heroes, frequently evoking a kind of knight in shining armour who battled the system or society, restored justice, and defended his honour. Romantic elements, however, were secondary, as his characters typically found love only once the central conflict had been resolved. His acting style was also distinctive, marked by restrained gestures yet complemented by a naturally expressive face and a thoughtful, unhurried technique. In Male and Female, Meighan is the central figure in the narrative, and the butler’s character is consistent with the range of roles he was given. The press praised the actor’s performance, with “Moving Picture World” writing: “Thomas Meighan as Crichton is always convincingly equal to the occasion, and it is not hard to understand why he wins both the mistress and the maid… But he has a way with him that accounts for his mastery of his masters on the desert island; and his portrayal of the Babylonian king is a fine bit of acting, regal in bearing and ablaze with unbridled passion.” It’s no wonder that many of the era’s leading female stars, from Norma Talmadge to Mary Pickford, often chose Meighan as their on-screen partner; they could entrust themselves to him.

Tamara Shvediuk