Writer • Director • Film Historian
Films, Graphic Novels and Books on Classic Hollywood, American Film History, Literary Figures, and the Cultural History of Motion Pictures.
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Writer · Director · Film Historian
“Much of our culture is lost by not being able to look back. … We have lost the ability to understand where America was and what American culture looked like in the past.”
John Mulholland is an American filmmaker, writer, and film historian. Born in New York City, he has worked primarily on documentaries concerning classic Hollywood, American film history, literary figures, and the cultural history of motion pictures. He wrote and directed Inside High Noon, which was distributed nationally by American Public Television and aired on PBS, Sergeant York: Of God and Country, and Cooper & Hemingway: The True Gen, which was named a Critics’ Pick by The New York Times. His later work includes Elmore Leonard: But Don’t Try to Write, a documentary on the life and work of Elmore Leonard that was distributed by American Public Television and aired on PBS.
Full BiographyFilm and Television
From classic Hollywood and American film history to literary figures and the cultural memory of motion pictures, Mulholland’s documentaries examine the people, politics, and stories behind American cinema.
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Trailer
Narrated by:
Sam Waterston
The True Gen
A New York Times Critics’ Pick exploring the 20-year friendship between Gary Cooper and Ernest Hemingway.
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Trailer
Narrated by:
Campbell Scott
But Don’t Try to Write
A PBS documentary about Elmore Leonard which explores the prolific author's legacy and his influence on generations of writers
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Trailer
Narrated by:
Liam Neeson
Of God and Country
Sergeant York: Of God and Country chronicles how Alvin York’s story was brought to the screen in the 1941 film, Sergeant York, starring Gary Cooper who won his first Best Actor Oscar for his performance.
“Inside High Noon, an excellent 49-minute examination of the film’s production history, cultural legacy and political subtext”
Writing
Mulholland’s writing includes graphic novels published by Colossal New York and the forthcoming Classic Film Chatter book series.
Graphic Novel
A romantic chase through the South of France.
Graphic Novel
Published by Colossal New York.
Upcoming
Set during the Gilded Age of New York.
Upcoming
Published by Colossal New York.
Upcoming
Published by Colossal New York.
Upcoming
Published by Colossal New York.
Upcoming
Published by Colossal New York.
Upcoming
Published by Colossal New York.
Upcoming
Published by Colossal New York.
Film Commentary
Politics in Film is the first release in the series.
Press
Mulholland’s documentary work has been reviewed, screened, broadcast, and discussed across public television, film festivals, cultural institutions, and national media outlets.
Critical Reception
Cooper & Hemingway:
The True Gen
Public Television
Public-television presentation, distribution, and international listings.
Festivals & Forums
Screenings, public conversations, and documentary-focused events.
Appearances
Broadcast interviews and public-history conversations tied to film subjects.
Selected Participants
Sam Waterston • Matthew Rhys • Campbell Scott • Liam Neeson • Leonard Nimoy • Angela Lansbury • Kirk Douglas • Charlton Heston • Patricia Neal • Elmore Leonard • George Plimpton • Liza Minnelli • Patrick Hemingway • Bill Clinton • Albert II, Prince of Monaco
Early Work
The Arts Network Years
John Mulholland entered documentary filmmaking in the early 1980s through the ARTS Network, an ABC cable channel that later became part of A&E. At the time, Mulholland was working as a journalist for a trade magazine when Curtis Davis, formerly head of production at NET before it became PBS, brought him in to write and direct documentaries for ARTS.
“Film speaks to each generation in a different way. The best films leave their deeper meanings beneath the surface, waiting for the viewer to discover them.”
“There are layers beneath the surface of a great performance, but the film leaves them for the viewer to discover.”
Contact
For documentary projects, writing inquiries, interviews, screenings, public speaking, and thoughtful collaborations.
John Mulholland’s work often begins with film history, literary subjects, archival research, and the cultural memory of motion pictures. Inquiries related to documentary development, public programs, screenings, interviews, and publishing projects may be submitted through the form.
Please include a brief description of the project, proposed timing, and any relevant links or background materials.
Selected Links
Inquiry Form
Use the form below for project inquiries, screening requests, interviews, and related correspondence.
