MovieChat Forums > Fearless Fagan (1952) Discussion > It's a TRUE story!!!

It's a TRUE story!!!

posted 14 years ago by heathentart
2 replies | jump to latest

According to TCM.com, the story of Fagan is true. A PFC Floyd C. Humeston owned Fagan, was drafted, and brought the lion with him to base. Life Magazine covered the story in the February 12, 1951 issue.

Fagan played HIMSELF in the movie. What an amazing lion, so gentle, and so able to keep to task amidst the hubbub of a film set.

From the little TCM has, Fagan ended up living at the Monterey County Humane Society after his brief fling with Hollywood. No details as to why and what happened to Humeston.

Too bad Hollywood didn't make better use of this unusual young man and his pet lion.

[–] Wakanohana 13 years ago

The TCM article is here: http://www.tcm.com/this-month/article/151107|0/Fearless-Fagan.html

[–] jonkennedy 8 years ago

I have found some more articles and information on this film and lion:

Meet The Incredible Lion Who Became A Hollywood Star
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/09/19/fagan-the-lion-hollywood-star_n_3954239.html

Amazing Photos of Fearless Fagan in 1951 – The Incredible Lion Who Became a Hollywood Star
http://www.vintag.es/2015/07/amazing-photos-of-fearless-fagan-in.html

Taming the Past
Art: Sculpture at El Monte Metrolink Station recalls Gay's Lion Farm in the days when it was a jungle out there.
http://articles.latimes.com/1996-08-02/local/me-30600_1_el-monte