Movies are “roaring” in the month of August known much for symbolism of fifth sign of the Zodiac “Leo” (July 23-Aug. 22) that exemplifies, courage, intelligence, warmth and strength and often passionate intensity.

The “King of the Jungle” noble savage has been prominent or famous in films, figuratively and literally, vis a vis the MGM lion “mascot” seen in opening film credits over the decades, with seven incarnations since c. 1917 from original Slats (1924-28) Jackie (1928-1956) and current Leo (1957-present), and the content as featured player or subtle subject reference. Here are some entertaining and insightful movies to view:

Androcles & The Lion (USA, RKO, 1952, 98 min., dir. Chester Erskine)

Set in ancient Rome the movie is based on the George Bernard Shaw (1912) satirical play has intrigued me since I first saw it on the telly as a young child. The story of gentle Androcles (Andrew Young - remember him as TV’s talking horse “Mr. Ed” master), a Christian who believes that religion endorses kindness to not only people, also to the treatment of animals, ergo non-violent behavior. When he encounters a lion “compromised” and in terrible pain, he removes a massive thorn from the beast's paw that saves him, and the animal responds to him in mild friendly manner.

Androcles is arrested along with other Christians and condemned to death in the arena to be eaten by lions. Will the lion recognize his friend and spare his and fellow zealots? The sub-text involving Lavinia (Jean Simmons) and the Captain (Victor Mature) adds some romance. Supporting cast includes ever droll Elsa Lancaster, Reginald Gardiner, Robert Newton, Jim Backus, Gene Lockhart and Maurice Evans.

https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0044355/?ref_=nv_sr_srsg_0

Born Free (UK, Open Road Films, 1966, 95 min., PG, dir. James Hill)

George Adamson (Bill Travers) and his wife Joy (Virginia McKenna) reside in northern Kenya where he is the senior game warden of the region. One of his main responsibilities is to deal with dangerous animals that may that are threat to humans, livestock and crops. When a man eating lion and its lioness are killed their three young female cubs are orphaned. With difficulty George and Joy are able to wean and take care of cubs, who they adopt as pets, though they know they have to provide a more suitable environment for the cubs that looks to be the Rotterdam Zoo. Except for the smallest, named Elsa and to whom Joy in particular has become especially attached As Elsa matures George and Joy provides her with greater freedom away from their property, which may get her into trouble as a largely tame animal. Eventually Georges’s boss John Kendall (Geoffrey Keen) orders Elsa be sent to a zoo like the other cubs. especially as with anyone in George's job he is soon being reassigned. Joy cannot accept the idea of Elsa being locked up for the rest of her life, believing she can be reintegrated back into the wild instead, something that had never been done with a tame lion.

Kendall gives them three months to accomplish this task, that involves getting Elsa to be able to kill for food, other creatures which up to this point she has seen only as “playmates” and be accepted by other lions, most specifically to mate with and provide food for lion partner while holding up to female competitors.

The film was immensely popular and still holds up as a wonderful back to nature story of care and compassion for wild beasts. Two Academy Award® nominations and wins for John Barry & Don Black for “Best” score and song (that’s become a “classic” for all time).

https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0060182/?ref_=fn_al_tt_1

Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe

(UK/USA, Walt Disney Pictures, 2005, 143 min., PG, dir. Andrew Adamson)

The four young Penvensie children are evacuated from London during the “Blitz” bombing of WWII to the country home of Professor Kirke (Jim Broadbent) and housekeeper Mrs. Macready (Elizabeth Hawthorne) who provide refuge for the two girls and two boys. While playing a game of hide-and-seek, the youngest Lucy (Georgie Hensley) finds a wardrobe to hide in. nestling in behind many fur coats when she suddenly finds herself having passed through the rear of the wardrobe into a mysterious land she comes to know as Narnia. After returning with her siblings they battle wolves, encounter talking animals including the faun Mr.Tumnus (James McAvoy), are threatened by the evil White Witch (Tilda Swinton) and meet the magnificent regal lion called Aslan. The first of four books that comprise the ”Chronicles of Narnia” by theologian/philosopher C.S. Lewis.

https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0363771/?ref_=nm_flmg_act_54

Clarence, The Cross-eyed Lion (USA, Ivan Tors Productions, 1965, 98 min., G, dir. Andrew Marton)

A native African village is being terrorized by a lion and the local Sergeant (Robert Doqui) enlists the help of veterinarian Dr. Marsh Tracy (Marshall Thompson) from nearby animal study center. The lion is captured and taken to the center where the team, including Julie Harper (Betsy Drake). discovers that the lion has a unique condition: he has double vision due to the fact that it’s cross eyed and therefore cannot hunt. The vet’s daughter Tracy (Cheryl Miller) “adopts” the lion named Clarence. Meanwhile, a dangerous criminal is planning to capture young gorillas and sell them on the black market.

https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0059039/?ref_=ttls_li_i

The Lion In Winter (UK/USA, Haworth Productions, 1968, 134 min., PG, dir. Anthony Harvey)

It's Christmas 1183, and King Henry II (Peter O'Toole) has released his wife Eleanor of Aquitaine (Katharine Hepburn) from prison where he’s had her incarcerated since 1173 when she was part of a plot to remove him from the Throne.

Henry plans announce his successor to the throne, that’s not automatic by right ordinal number of birth. His three living sons include youngest Prince John (Nigel Terry) who Henry favors to succeed him. Henry's wife, Queen Eleanor has other ideas. She believes their eldest Prince Richard (Sir Anthony Hopkins) should be King, leaving middle child Prince Geoffrey (John Castle) out of the competition so to speak. As the family and various schemers gather for the holiday, each tries to make the indecisive King choose his or her option. The atmosphere contentious with the love of man and women, parents for children, children for parents and the elements of betrayal among them. The “lion” is a symbol of the British throne and with story sent in dense winter connotes the meaning of the title.

It’s a work of fiction, though based on true historical character, writer James Goldman adapted from his (1966) play that was great success on Broadway and London’s West End. Seven Oscar® nods and three wins including for Goldman “Best” Writing for Screenplay, Based on Material from Another Medium. Hepburn shared “Best Actress” Oscar® with Barbra Streisand (Funny Girl).

https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0063227/?ref_=fn_al_tt_1

The Lion (UK/USA, 20th Century Fox, 1962, 96 min., Jack Cardiff)

Set in Kenya, in the African bush, 11 year old Tina (Pamela Franklin) lives with her mother Christine (Capucine), remarried to John Bullitt (Trevor Howard), on a wildlife reserve. While Bullitt believes this is a wonderful environment for her to grow up in, her mother becomes increasingly concerned by her behavior and obsession with a full grown male lion King (Zamba), who Tina raised from a cub, and considers her best friend. Christine left Tina’s father, American lawyer Robert Hayward (William Holden), when she became dazzled by the beauty and wild life of Africa, and married Bullitt. Worried that her daughter is in emotional danger in the isolated environment and culture she embraces she sends for her former husband in the hope that he can take her back to civilization (U.S.A.). Tina barely knows her real father and considers Bulitt in that role. Much tension as the two men vie for Tina, and Christine’s affection. Who will prevail? Sub-plot involves heir of local Maisai tribe who is enamored by Tina, and her relationship with King. Beautiful scenery entices one to go on safari. Holden was “bewitched” by Africa and in later years divided his time between there, Switzerland and America.

https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0056186/?ref_=fn_al_tt_2

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The Young Lions (USA, 20th Century Fox, 1958, 167 min., dir. Edward Dmytryk)

WW II story. adapted from Irwin novel of same name by screenwriter Edward Anhalt, juxtaposes three soldiers, two American G.I.s Noah Ackerman (Montgomery Clift) and recruited entertainer Michael Whiteacre (Dean Martin) and Nazi Lieutenant Christian Diestl (Marlon Brando) in action at the front, confronting the turpitude of war personal demons and conscience; and prejudices by or against them.

The film had high critical acclaim however it’s somber and foreboding, so beware of the mood. Then again it’s about WWII and in spite of sentiment, war is dangerous and divisive, never romantic. Strong cast also includes Maximillian Shell, Hope Lange, May Britt, Barbara Rush, Lee Van Cleef and Arthur Franz. Three Academy Award® nods for “Best” cinematography, sound and exceptionally moving music.

https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0052415/?ref_=fn_al_tt_1

The Wind & The Lion (USA, Columbia Pictures/MGM, 1975, 119 min., dir. John Milius)

Based on true story c. 1904 when (Moroccan) barbarian Berber chieftain Raisuli (Sean Connery)

abducts American widow Eden Pedecaris (Candice Bergen) and her three children. With personal intervention by U.S.A. President Theodore Roosevelt (Brian Keith) that places the incident with focus. Secretary of State John Hay (John Huston). Exciting action, excellent performances by all.

Roosevelt receives a letter he received from Raisuli, comparing the two men: "I (Raisuli), like the lion, must remain in my place, while you, like the wind, will never know yours" that sums up his philosophy and their physical conflict. Two Oscar® nods for “Best” sound and musical score, though the performances of Connery and Bergen were also worthy

https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0073906/?ref_=fn_al_tt_1

More titles to consider that are tried & true “lion” stories and will appear in another article:

The Lion King (1994)

https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0110357/?ref_=fn_al_tt_1

Madagascar

https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0351283/?ref_=fn_al_tt_1

And all time “classic” The Wizard of Oz (one of the most famous lions in literature and movies, as in “cowardly”, of literature and the silver screen)

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Stephanie Mardesich, a native of San Pedro from a family who arrived in the harbor area over 100 years ago. An alumna of U.S.C. School of Cinematic Arts; founder-director of the LA Harbor International Film Festival; credited journalist and public relations consultant, she launched "Cinema Stephanie" film critique blogette in 2017. More recently, she created "Eclectic Culture" lifestyle stories and reviews blog. She is also co-producer with Jack Baric (S.P. native and R.P.V. resident) of the oral history project Stories of Los Angeles Harbor Area: For Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow (SOLAHA) - Volume II debuted in March 2020.

For more see:

(to look up films) www.imdb.com

www.laharborfilmfest.com( Cinema Stephanie blogette)

www.storieslaharborarea.com (histories/stories)