Fearless Fagan

1952
Approved
1h 19m

IMDb RATING

YOUR RATING

Janet Leigh and Carleton Carpenter in Fearless Fagan (1952)

A man brings his devoted pet with him when he is drafted into the army. The pet happens to be an adult lion, named Fearless Fagan. Based on a true story.A man brings his devoted pet with him when he is drafted into the army. The pet happens to be an adult lion, named Fearless Fagan. Based on a true story.A man brings his devoted pet with him when he is drafted into the army. The pet happens to be an adult lion, named Fearless Fagan. Based on a true story.

See production info at IMDbPro

IMDb RATING

5.9/10

405

YOUR RATING

8User reviews

See production info at IMDbPro

Trivia
After marrying and having two sons, Floyd Humeston found it hard to care for Fagan and gave him away to a zoo, according to a synopsis for Audrey Peyton's "Fagan and Floyd." Fagan reportedly died from an ulcerated stomach, and Humeston worked several jobs before retiring near Palm Springs.

Goofs
When Abby leaves her car to find the source of the circus music, she leaves the engine running. When she returns to the car she starts it again.

Quotes
Pvt. Floyd Hilston, Company J: He doesn't know he's a lion, he's my friend.

Connections
Referenced in You Bet Your Life: Episode #5.17 (1955)

Soundtracks
The Loveliest Night of the Year
based on "Over the Waves"
Music by Juventino Rosas
Music Adapted by Irving Aaronson
Lyrics by Paul Francis Webster

User reviews8

Review

Featured review

7/10

A story that is utterly ridiculous...but true.

The plot to "Fearless Fagan" is very stupid and impossible to believe...yet, amazingly, it's based on a true story! What's more, the film stars the actual lion, Fearless Fagan!

This weird story first came to light in "Life" magazine. It seems that a soldier was drafted back in 1951 and he had a pet lion that needed to find a home while he served in the Army. And, MGM thought (incorrectly) it would make a great film....but sadly the movie lost money according to the studio.

When the story begins, Floyd is working in the circus with his pet lion, Fearless Fagan. The pair have an act where Floyd is a clown lion tamer and Fagan chases him about the cage. It's pretty cute. But when Floyd is drafted, he's got a problem...he needs to find a home for it. This film is about his quest...as well as the lion's subsequent escape!

Carleton Carpenter is the relatively unknown actor who plays Floyd. I read about the film and apparently the real Floyd Hilston coached Carleton and introduced him to Fagan. As a result, the scenes are cute, look very real and work quite well. I really think Carleton Carpenter was a lucky guy to get such an amazing assignment!

So is it any good? Yes...it's quite charming...though how true all this story is, I have no idea. It's a nice family film...with a sweet happy ending.