Fearless Fagan

Director: Stanley Donen Stanley Donen

Overview

The unbreakable bond between a young man and his pet lion provides the action in this comedy. The trouble begins when the young man becomes a private in the army. Because he cannot bear to sell his lion Fagan to a mean-spirited circus trainer, the private asks his sergeant to help him find a good home for his pet. Naturally, the sergeant at first disbelieves his charge. He becomes a believer after the big kitty escapes from his cage and the Army must send out search parties to get him back. Thanks to Army publicity, a good home is found for the lion. Unfortunately, the loyal feline again escapes to search for his master. He causes chaos during troop maneuvers.

Product Details

Release Date:	04/05/2012
UPC:	0883316456194
Original Release:	1952
Rating:	G
Source:	Warner Archives
Presentation:	[B&W]
Sound:	[Dolby Digital Mono]
Language:	English
Time:	1:19:00
Sales rank:	54,612

Cast & Crew

Performance Credits

Carleton Carpenter	Pvt. Floyd Hilston
Keenan Wynn	Sgt. Kellwin
Janet Leigh	Abby Ames
Richard Anderson	Capt. Daniels
Ellen Corby	Mrs. Ardley
Barbara Ruick	Nurse
John Call	Mr. Ardley
Robert Burton	Owen Gillman
Wilton Graff	Col. Horne
Parley Baer	Emil Tauchnitz
Jonathan Cott	Cpl. Geft

Technical Credits

Stanley Donen	Director
A. Arnold Gillespie	Special Effects
Edwin H. Knopf	Producer

Editorial Reviews

Based upon a true story, Fearless Fagan is an amiable little animal picture that will appeal greatly to children. Adults may like it as well, but they should be warned that Fagan is an awfully "cute" movie, with lots of shots of the title lion doing adorable things and behaving in a manner that is intended to push the "Aw, isn't he too sweet" buttons? There's nothing wrong with this, of course, but charm is really all that the screenplay has going for it; despite the contributions of Charles Lederer, there's not a lot of meta to the story, and the situations that it sets up turn out pretty much as one expects: the private is not going to be believed by his sergeant, and the lion is going to cause all sorts of unintentional and hopefully amusing trouble. Fortunately, the cast is long on charm as well. Carleton Carpenter may not be an actor of immense range, but he has the requisite appeal that the role calls for. Likewise, Janet Leigh is not greatly challenged by her part, but she does it very well, and gets to perform the great Hugh Martin-Ralph Blane number "What Do You think I Am?." Keenan Wynn is appropriately blustery, and Stanley Donen's direction is smooth and assured.