Leo the Lion (MGM)

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Leo the Lion (1957–present) in the MGM logo.

Leo the Lion is the mascot for the Hollywood film studio Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer, featured in the studio's production logo.

Since 1924 (when the studio was formed by the merger of Samuel Goldwyn's studio with Marcus Loew's Metro Pictures and Louis B. Mayer's company), there have been around five different lions used for the MGM logo.

Arguably the two most recognizable MGM lions today are Tanner,^[1] the third MGM lion, and the current, unnamed fifth lion. Tanner was used on all Technicolor films and MGM cartoons (including the Tom and Jerry series), and in use on the studio logo for 18 years (the current lion has been in use since 1957, a total of 50 years and counting). However, when the MGM animation department—which had closed in 1958—re-opened with new Tom and Jerry shorts in 1963, these shorts used Tanner in the opening sequence rather than the current lion, which had already been adapted onto the studio logo and the 1961-63 Gene Deitch cartoon logos.

1 Logos
- 1.1 Main Logos
- 1.2 Variations
2 Popular culture references and spoofs
3 References
4 See also
5 External links

[edit] Logos

[edit] Main Logos

The original Goldwyn Pictures lion logo, which was later utilized for MGM.

Slats in the MGM logo, 1924-1928

Slats^[2] was the first lion used for the newly-formed studio. Slats was used on all black and white MGM films between 1924 and 1928. The original logo was designed by Howard Dietz and used by the Goldwyn Pictures Corporation studio from 1916 to 1924 (see left), when the studio was ultimately absorbed into the partnership that formed MGM. The MGM motto, Ars Gratia Artis (Latin for "Art for Art's Sake") was taken from the original Goldwyn Pictures logo and appeared on the MGM logo for the first time. Slats was trained by Volney Phifer to growl rather than roar, and for the next couple of years, the lion would tour with MGM promoters to signify the studio's launch. Slats died in 1936.^[3]

Jackie in the MGM logo, 1928-1956

Jackie^[4] was the second lion, depicted on the right from a still from The Wizard of Oz (1939). Jackie looked almost identical to Slats, his predecessor. Jackie was also the first MGM lion whose roar (which was more likely a number of soft growls) was heard by audiences of the Silent Film Era—via a gramophone record. Jackie growled softly; this was followed by a louder growl, a brief pause, and then a final growl. Jackie was also arguably the most memorable of the lions, appearing on all black and white MGM films (1928–1956) and MGM's Happy Harmonies cartoons (1934–1938). Despite Jackie's "official" introduction in 1928, the lion had been used on three earlier films: Greed (1924), Ben-Hur (1925), and Flesh and the Devil (1926).

The first lion used for Technicolor test logos for MGM's Happy Harmonies shorts, 1931

The second lion used for Technicolor test logos, taken from Roast Beef and Movies (1932)

MGM began experiments with two-color short subjects and cartoons in 1928, shortly after Jackie was introduced. Two two-strip Technicolor variations of the MGM logo were created for the first MGM color films, with two different lions being used. This is depicted in the first still on the left, featuring the first lion (1928-1932). The logo seen here appeared on MGM's Happy Harmonies cartoons until 1936. The second two-strip Technicolor lion was introduced in 1932 (as depicted in the second still, from the 1932 feature Roast Beef and Movies) and lasted until 1938, when production was switched to full three-strip Technicolor filming.

Tanner in the MGM logo, 1938-1956

MGM began producing full three-strip Technicolor films in 1938, and the logo was slightly modified for color. Tanner^[5] was used on all Technicolor MGM films (1938–1956) and cartoons (1938–1958, 1963-1967). Tanner, who made his first feature film appearance in Sweethearts (1938) (his first cartoon appearance was earlier), was in use as 'Leo the Lion for 18 years, second only to the current lion (who has been retained for 50 years), and appears as if he is "grinning" in the logo. Whilst the MGM studio logo featuring Jackie may be the most memorable, it is the Tanner version of the logo that was the most frequently used version throughout the Golden Age of Hollywood.

Tanner in the remade Academy Ratio logo, 1953-1956

Tanner in the remade CinemaScope logo, 1953-1956

Tanner and Jackie were kept in the change from Academy ratio films to widescreen CinemaScope movies, with Tanner for color movies–as depicted on the right from Meet Me in Las Vegas (1956)– and Jackie for black and white films. This change saw the main studio logo being slightly modified; the lion and the ribboning were made larger to cover half of the background, the marquee below the film ribbon was removed, and the studio name was arched above the film ribbon. The first letters of the name ("Metro Goldwyn Mayer") were colored red, and the rest in a tan/gold color.

The fourth lion in the MGM logo, mid-1956 to early 1957

The fourth lion was introduced in mid-1956, and was more heavily maned than any of the predecessors and the current lion. The lion seemed somewhat unnerved and appeared as if he was snarling. The MGM logo was also redesigned slightly; the ribboning was changed from yellow-ochre to white, the ends of the film ribbon were slightly extended, the drama mask was simplified, and the studio name was outlined in white. Two different versions of this logo were used; the 'extended' version, in which the lion roared twice to the right of the screen and then to the front, and the 'standard' version in which the lion roared once to the right, and then once to the front. This logo also appeared on black and white films during this era. Two of this lion's notable appearances include The Opposite Sex (1956) and The Wings of Eagles (1957), amongst others.

The fifth lion in the MGM logo, 1957-1983

The fifth lion in the black and white version of the MGM logo, 1957-1983

The fifth lion had a smaller mane than any of the previous lions. This lion was used on all MGM films from circa 1957 to 1983 and Tom and Jerry cartoons directed by Gene Deitch, 1961. It was during the period 1957-1960 that MGM used two variants of the logo featuring the fifth lion: the standard version is still used to this day, and features the lion roaring twice; the extended version features the lion roaring three times. Although the logo was in use for MGM films during 1963 and 1967, the opening sequence for the third series of Tom and Jerry (made during the aforementioned years) featured Tanner. MGM's three Camera 65/Ultra Panavision films, Raintree County (1957), Mutiny on the Bounty (1962) and Ben-Hur (1959) utilized a resized still-frame of the logo, with the lion roar track added to the backing track. However, Ben-Hur did not include the roar; instead, the film score continued underneath the still-frame of the logo. A special black and white version was created for Jailhouse Rock (1957), and was utilized again in 1982 for the Columbia Pictures film Annie during an excerpt from MGM's 1936 film, Camille, replacing the 1928-1938 logo featuring Jackie (which had originally appeared on Camille).

The short-lived MGM stylized lion logo, used on two films (Grand Prix and 2001: A Space Odyssey), 1966-1968

The stylized lion was a major revamp of the logo. It was very short-lived; it was seen on only two MGM films, Grand Prix (1966) and 2001: A Space Odyssey (1968). This logo was a still-frame image. It was only used on two films; however, it was retained by the MGM Records division and was also used on MGM movie posters. It was later used by the MGM Grand casinos, and a refined version of it is used in the present logo of their parent MGM Mirage.

The fifth lion returned following the unpopularity of the stylized lion in 1968, but the actual symbol was made smaller for Academy ratio films

The fifth lion was reintroduced shortly after the stylized lion was discontinued. The film strip, lion and lettering were made smaller (for Academy ratio films), with more spacing for the black background, as depicted in a screenshot from Poltergeist (1982).

The fifth lion in the MGM/UA Entertainment Co. logo, used from 1982-1987

The fifth lion was retained in the revamp from Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer to MGM/UA Entertainment Co. following MGM's acquisition of the falling United Artists. The logo (as depicted in a capture on the right) was used on all MGM films (1982-1987). It was at this time that the original lion roar was replaced with a remade, stereophonic roar track, which was redone by Mark Mangini; the first film to feature the new roar effect was Poltergeist (the roar was also used for a beast in the film). The logo was slightly revised; the capital letters of the new studio name were bolded in red and the rest in gold (MGM/UA Entertainment Co.), but the rest of the logo remained the same as its predecessor. This logo can be seen on various films; most notably the James Bond film, A View to a Kill (1985).

Following MGM's acquisition of United Artists in 1981, MGM films carried a newly modified version of their studio logo (see above). For UA, the original logo was retained, followed by a specially created MGM/UA Communications logo).

The fifth lion in the MGM logo, 1987-present

The MGM side of MGM/UA was reverted back to its original name in 1987. The MGM/UA Communications logo was dropped, and the fifth lion continued to be utilized in the new version of the logo, as depicted in the 2001 logo on the right (1987-present). Changes were made to the logo; the ribbon was colored gold, and the drama mask below it was slightly modified. The film of the fifth lion also appeared somewhat golden-colored. Until 1993, the whole group behind MGM and UA continued with the MGM/UA branding for corporate purposes; therefore the 1987 logo carried the byline "An MGM/UA Communications company." In 2001, the studio's new website address was added to the studio logo ("www.mgm.com").

[edit] Variations

The fifth lion in the MGM logo, celebrating the studio's "Golden Anniversary" in 1974

MGM celebrated their 50th anniversary in 1974, and the studio logo was adapted to read "Golden Anniversary" on the left and right of the film loop, as depicted on the right in a still from the opening sequence of That's Entertainment! (1974), celebrating the studio's musical films. In the film loop before the logo began, the lion was replaced with "Beginning Our Next 50 Years...".

The fifth lion in the MGM logo, celebrating the studio's "Diamond Jubilee" in 1984

The MGM/UA Home Video division adopted the "Diamond Jubilee" presentation used on the MGM studio logo

MGM celebrated their 60th anniversary in 1984, and the studio logo was adapted again for the occasion; the studio name was replaced with "Diamond Jubilee: Sixty Years of Great Entertainment", and the words "Metro Goldwyn Mayer" were placed where "Ars Gratia Artis" is usually seen. The film ribbon, at that time colored white, was golden colored. One notable example of this logo's appearance was at the start of 2010: The Year We Make Contact (1984).

The fifth lion in the MGM logo, celebrating the studio's 70th Anniversary

MGM celebrated their 70th anniversary in 1994, and the logo was again adapted, as shown on the right from That's Entertainment III. By this time, the fifth lion had been in use for 37 years, outplacing any of its predecessors.

MGM celebrated their 75th anniversary in 1999, and the logo was adapted for this; "75: A Legacy of Excellence" was placed in a semi-circular shape at the bottom of the logo.

[edit] Popular culture references and spoofs

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In the trailer for the Marx Brothers film A Night at the Opera, the brothers took the place of Leo in the logo, marking the first time a lion was not used in an MGM film.^{[citation needed]} While Groucho and Chico imitate a roaring lion (with the sound of a roaring lion playing), Harpo's motions produce no sound. He grabs his horn and uses the horn's sound instead of a lion's roar.

MGM's Tom and Jerry logo, a play on the more famous studio logo. Tanner, above, roars.

Tanner is replaced by Tom, imitating the lion.

Tom and Jerry cartoons directed by Chuck Jones from 1963 to 1967 include Tanner roaring in the MGM logo, to be replaced by Tom meowing in the style of the lion, as depicted in the image shown on the right.
If you listen carefully during the climactic lion-fighting scene in Disney's The Lion King, you can hear the current MGM roar.
In The Fearless Vampire Killers (1967), the animation department added blood dripping from the lion's mouth, to keep in with the story of the film.
In Strange Brew (1983), the lion appears to be drunk; instead of a roar, only a loud belch is heard. The camera pans behind the logo set to show the movie's two main characters, Bob and Doug MacKenzie, who are attempting to sober it up. One suggests to the other to "crank its tail", which he does.
In The Crocodile Hunter: Collision Course, a crocodile takes the place of Leo in the logo. The trailer for the film featured Steve Irwin in place of Leo, where he briefly addresses the audience.
In The Pink Panther (2006), the standard studio logo was again modified; after the lion's roars, an animated cartoon version of the character Inspector Clouseau appeared, as well as an animated panther. Following this the lion reappears, bewildered.
In The Brothers Grimm (2006), Leo roars like other MGM films, but instead of a second roar, he howls like a wolf.
The MGM Kids logo featured a lion cub (in the place of Leo the Lion on the studio logo).

An animated version of the studio logo was used for selected MGM cartoons in the late '30s, the above version featuring Jackie

In early Technicolor MGM cartoons, MGM placed a cartoon version of the main studio logo featuring Jackie, with the same roar track, as depicted in the image shown on the right.

The MGM logo as seen in North by Northwest (1959)

The black background on the MGM logo at the start of North by Northwest (1959) was changed to green, in keeping with the main title sequence of the film.
In a Monty Python's Flying Circus episode, an animation shows a spoof of the MGM logo that has a small rodent appearing in the logo. In the Monty Python film And Now For Something Completely Different, there is another spoof of the MGM logo, '20th Century Frog'. It has a frog burping in the logo.
In a segment of Sesame Street (featuring Slimey and Oscar the Grouch), Slimey went into a miniature cinema to see a film called Gone with the Worm. As the film began, a spoof of the MGM logo was seen, with Slimey roaring in the style of Leo the Lion.
In an episode of the TV show Punky Brewster, Punky and her friends make a workout video, and they make an MGM-inspired closing logo with her dog, Brandon.
In an episode of the show The Adventures of Jimmy Neutron: Boy Genius called "Lights, Camera, Danger", Jimmy tells Goddard to get lines from famous movies; he begins by imitating the standard MGM logo.
At the beginning of each episode of the anime OAV series Maze, Princess Mil is seen imitating Leo the Lion. Instead of roaring, she exclaims "Ukyu!".
The film The Great Muppet Caper opens with a spoof of the MGM logo featuring Animal. He roars, then begins to eat the logo circle, revealing the opening shot of the film behind him.

Statue of Leo the Lion.

Outside the Culver Hotel (Culver City, California, where MGM's original studios were based), there is a statue of Leo the Lion in a fountain at the exterior of the hotel.

The MTM logo, featuring Mimsie the Cat.

Mary Tyler Moore's film company, MTM, utilized a similar logo with a meowing kitten (Mimsie the Cat). Variations of this logo were used for different shows produced by MTM. For example, on Remington Steele Mimsie is shown wearing a Sherlock Holmes-style deerstalker hat, and when he meows, an animated Holmes-like smoking pipe drops out of his mouth. The closing credits for The White Shadow showed a calico cat bouncing a basketball.
Leo the Lion was the basis for his own animated series, The Lionhearts. The MGM-produced series focused on Leo (as Leo Lionheart) working as the studio's mascot as well as Leo's family life.
The opening sequence for Cartoon Network's Cartoon Theatre featured animated spoofs of major studio mascots and logos, including Leo the Lion. During the sequence (also used before and after commercial breaks), Leo is seen being caught slacking off inside his film strip frame (presumably by the viewer) and, taken off guard, packs up his belongings in a suitcase and hurriedly leaves.
In an episode of Samurai Pizza Cats, the Ninja Crows are showing a film on how to get rid of the Pizza Cats; Bad Bird can be seen in the film imitating the MGM lion. Seymore Big Cheese comments, "Couldn't they get a lion?"
Tiny Toon Adventures spoofed Leo in one of their end-credit gags. In the gag, "Furrball" rises out of the circular Tiny Toons logo and delivers a powerful roar, much like Leo the Lion, only to have it deflate into a meek and kittenish "meow". As Tiny Toon Adventures was produced by Warner Bros. Animation, this could be seen as a good-natured jab at the competing company.
In the film Cats Don't Dance, the Mammoth Pictures logo parodies the MGM logo, with a mammoth instead of a lion.
In 1975, the North American artist Jack Goldstein produced a looped 16 mm film of the MGM logo as an independent artwork.[6]
The late-1980s BBC2 sketch show Naked Video ended episodes with an endcap styled liked the MGM logo, featuring then-Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher "roaring". Later series - made when John Major was Prime Minister - featured Major "squeaking" like a mouse in the centre of the logo.
In an episode of The Avengers (TV series), Emma Peel growls like Leo in a spoof of the MGM logo.
In an episode of Muppet Babies, where Baby Piggy is pretending she is a newspaper film critic, the "film" she reviews starts off with the MGM logo and Baby Animal appearing giving a roar, but certainly not as powerful as Leo the Lion's.
Leo the Lion appeared in an episode of Dreamworks's short-lived "Father of the Pride". He is a big celebrity in their world and commented that he watched a movie last night and saw himself.
The logo was also parodied in Henry's Cat, with Henry's Cat taking the place of Leo the Lion.
Justin Lee Collins parodied the logo by roaring on a similar title card before a sketch on The Friday Night Project.