When Lions Fly

Posted on April 13, 2020 by ahcadmin

It’s a familiar sight – a roaring lion’s head in a golden frame. We see this iconic image at the beginning of our favorite films, TV shows, and cartoons, but the history behind this logo is little known.

One of the MGM lions. This one is named Tanner, although he was known, like the others, as "Leo the Lion." Tanner was featured as the MGM lion from 1934 to 1956, and in the 1960s. Source: Wikipedia. Originally sourced from the film Easter Parade (1948). Image reduced significantly from original size.
Tanner was the MGM lion from 1934 to 1956. Like the other MGM lions, he was known as “Leo the Lion.” Image source: Wikipedia.

MGM’s Leo the Lion was actually seven different lions over the course of 41 years from 1916 to 1957. The last lion, which was the only lion actually named Leo, is the current logo and has been in use since 1957. Each lion contributed a new take on the logo throughout the years.

Jackie's roar being recorded in December 1928 for use at the beginning of MGM sound films. A sound stage was built around his cage to make the recording. Image source: Wikipedia. Public domain image.
Jackie’s roar being recorded in December 1928 for use at the beginning of MGM sound films. A sound stage was built around his cage to make the recording. Image source: Wikipedia.

One lion in particular, Jackie, had a rather eventful term as Leo the Lion. In 1927, MGM was seeking publicity and came up with a stunt where “Leo the Lion” would be flown from San Diego to New York City non-stop. MGM selected the pilot Martin Jensen, who had recently come in second place in the Dole Air Derby to carry out the stunt. A custom plane was built for the event— a modified Ryan B-1 Brougham plane with a lion cage built in, an extra fuel tank, and tanks for milk and water. Jensen flew out of San Diego on September 16, 1927 with his feline passenger, a canteen of water, several sandwiches, and a .45 caliber pistol.

Martin Jensen with the plane that carried Leo the Lion as part of an MGM publicity stunt, 1927. Box 1, Martin Jensen papers, American Heritage Center, University of Wyoming.
Martin Jensen with the MGM plane, 1927. Note the cage behind the cockpit. Box 1, Martin Jensen papers, American Heritage Center, University of Wyoming.
Martin Jensen captioned this photo, "The picture of the Ryan Plane with Leo the MGM lion and the frightened Pilot Martin Jensen. Note the glass plate on this side and on the right side with a glass door in which I crawled forward the Pilots cockpit." Box 1, Martin Jensen papers, American Heritage Center, University of Wyoming.
Martin Jensen captioned this photo, “The picture of the Ryan Plane with Leo the MGM lion and the frightened Pilot Martin Jensen. Note the glass plate on this side and on the right side with a glass door in which I crawled forward the Pilots cockpit.” Box 1, Martin Jensen papers, American Heritage Center, University of Wyoming.

The flight, however, did not go as planned. Jensen hit a storm over Arizona and crashed into a small copse of trees in a desert canyon. Both Jensen and Jackie survived the impact with no injuries. After gathering his wits, Jensen left his sandwiches, the milk, and the water for the lion while he trekked across the desert looking for help.

Martin Jensen's plane crashed in the Arizona desert. He and the lion survived. Box 1, Martin Jensen papers, American Heritage Center, University of Wyoming.
Wreckage of Martin Jensen’s plane. Box 1, Martin Jensen papers, American Heritage Center, University of Wyoming.
Martin Jensen captioned this photo, "This picture was the end of the Lion flight. I had repeatedly warned the Ryan Engineers that it could not get over the Mountains. They compared it to Lindbergh's flight, but he had 48 foot span and I only had 42 foot span. Their reasoning was based on theory not on facts." Box 1, Martin Jensen papers, American Heritage Center, University of Wyoming.
Martin Jensen captioned this photo, “This picture was the end of the Lion flight. I had repeatedly warned the Ryan Engineers that it could not get over the Mountains. They compared it to Lindbergh’s flight, but he had 48 foot span and I only had 42 foot span. Their reasoning was based on theory not on facts.” Box 1, Martin Jensen papers, American Heritage Center, University of Wyoming.

After four days, he found a small ranch. The ranch hands working there kindly agreed to help Jensen. They took Jensen to a ranger station so he could use the telephone to call for help. However, the ranger refused, saying that he had to keep the line open because a man was lost and search parties were looking for him. After establishing his identity as the man they were searching for, the ranger let Jensen use the phone to call the people at MGM.

As soon as MGM realized it was Jensen calling, the man on the phone yelled, “How’s the lion?” Jensen was ordered to spare no expense to get the lion out alive. Within two days, and with more help from some local ranch hands, the lion was retrieved safely. Jackie was then transported to New York by truck.

Martin Jensen captioned this photo, "Sam Haughton on left and some of his ranch hands which helped to bring the (Leo the Lion) out of the area where this picture was taken. The area was surveyed about 15 years later and it was reported that the surveyors had to wear stove pipes over their legs to keep the snakes from striking." Box 1, Martin Jensen papers, American Heritage Center, University of Wyoming.
Martin Jensen captioned this photo, “Sam Haughton on left and some of his ranch hands which helped to bring the (Leo the Lion) out of the area where this picture was taken. The area was surveyed about 15 years later and it was reported that the surveyors had to wear stove pipes over their legs to keep the snakes from striking.” Box 1, Martin Jensen papers, American Heritage Center, University of Wyoming.
Photo from newspaper article about Leo the Lion (Jackie) arriving in Payson, Arizona, after his rescue from the Arizona desert. Box 1, Martin Jensen papers, American Heritage Center, University of Wyoming.
Photo from newspaper article about Leo the Lion (Jackie) arriving in Payson, Arizona, after his rescue from the Arizona desert. Box 1, Martin Jensen papers, American Heritage Center, University of Wyoming.

The plane remained in the desert until 1991, although scavengers made off with some of the smaller pieces of wreckage. The canyon that Jensen and Leo crashed in is now named Leo Canyon in honor of the event. It is located in Gila County, Arizona. After surviving this incident and several other accidents (two train wrecks, an earthquake, and a studio explosion), Jackie was given the nickname “Leo the Lucky.

Martin Jensen is seen in this 1991 newspaper article holding the rudder cover of his plane that crashed in the Arizona desert. Box 1, Martin Jensen papers, American Heritage Center, University of Wyoming.
Martin Jensen is seen in this 1991 newspaper article holding the rudder cover of his plane that crashed in the Arizona desert. Box 1, Martin Jensen papers, American Heritage Center, University of Wyoming.

Learn more about pioneer aviator Martin Jensen in his papers at the University of Wyoming’s American Heritage Center

— Post by Sarah Kesterson, UW American Heritage Center Archives Aid

#alwaysarchiving

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