[7] Reviewing the 1945 Charlie Chan mystery The Shanghai Cobra, the Kentucky New Era remarked that "James Cardwell, a newcomer to the screen, shows himself to be a fine actor as the romantic lead opposite beautiful Joan Barclay.

"[8] However, he found himself consigned to B-movies; 1949's Daughter of the Jungle, in which Cardwell played the male lead opposite Lois Hall, earned the dubious distinction of a listing in the 1978 book The Fifty Worst Films of All Time.

[6][10] He then joined the Colleano Troupe, a variety act, with whom he toured Australia, the UK, and the U.S.[11] After returning to the U.S., he made two guest appearances in the Rod Cameron television series City Detective.

[2] In 1951, he became engaged to Australian model June Crocker, but she ended their relationship after she suffered serious burns in a stage accident.

[14] Apparently disheartened by his faltering career and financial difficulties, Cardwell fatally shot himself at the age of 32 in Los Angeles, California on January 31, 1954.