The MGM lions

The basic lion trademark was created in 1916 for the Goldwyn Pictures Corporation by advert government Howard Dietz.

Slats, showing from 1917-1924, born in Dublin Zoo

Dietz stated he determined to make use of a lion as the corporate’s mascot as a tribute to his alma mater, Columbia College, whose athletic staff nickname is The Lions.

In 1924, Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (MGM) was based when American enterprise magnate Marcus Loew gained management of Metro Footage, Goldwyn Footage Company and Louis B. Mayer Footage.

The primary lion, referred to as Slats, was used for the unique Goldwyn Footage design and for the primary MGM model. He did not truly roar, preferring to people watch.

The lion gave an audible roar on July 31, 1928 for the debut of the film White Shadows in the South Seas. The roar was heard by way of a gramophone document as a result of the film was silent.

Jackie, 1928-1956, the second lion for use within the emblem

Jackie’s roar was recorded to be used firstly of MGM speaking films. A sound stage was constructed round his cage to make the recording.

Along with showing within the MGM emblem, Jackie appeared in multiple hundred movies (all black and white movies from 1928-1956, together with the Tarzan films that starred Johnny Weissmuller.

Espresso was considered one of two lions that have been used for 2-strip Technicolor check logos on early MGM color productions.

Espresso, 1932-1935 two-strip Technicolor

MGM started producing full three-strip Technicolor movies in 1934, and used Tanner for all Technicolor movies from 1934-1956.

Tanner, 1934-1956 full three-strip Technicolor movies

The sixth lion, formally named George,

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