The Lion Roars Again

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The Lion Roars Again is a short film that documents an event that was hosted by Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer. The event was the International Press Conclave of 1975. The film was shot in a span of a couple days and was used as a preview of up and coming MGM movies. The film was narrated by Wayne Thomas.

The film opens up with some commentary from the vice-president of Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer, Daniel Melnick. After the commentary. the viewers are treated to tours of a film set. The film set that was toured was the set used for Logan's Run and viewers are even treated to a show about the dress design used in the film.

Next, Gene Kelly and Fred Astaire honor the documentary That's Entertainment, Part II, which was to be released the following year in 1976. Then a discussion on an up and coming film titled The All-American Girl, later renamed Sweet Revenge, is hosted. The end of day one brings a dinner that hosts and honors the cast of The Sunshine Boys with a birthday cake presented to the host, Richard Benjamin. Walter Matthau and George Burns address the members of the audience during this dinner too.

The second day of the film begins with a conference for the movie Hearts of the West, released later that year. A premiere is then held for a new film titled The Wind and the Lion. After the film, the second day and the conclave is ended with a dinner and an elegant ball. The dinner and ball are hosted on a sound stage that was fixed to resemble the Moroccan Desert, the same desert that was depicted in the latter film.

The title The Lion Roars Again is a play on MGM's famous opening shot, Leo the Lion surrounded by rolls of film, the MGM title, the saying Ars Gratia Artis, and the word trademark. During the 1950s and the 1960s MGM was said to have lost its luster and hold as a Hollywood stronghold. The saying that the lion has lost his roar became a popular saying for the MGM name. This film was to document MGM's comeback as Kirk Kerkorian bought the company and tried to revive its name.