Sunday, February 14, 2016

Leo The Lion!

I am looking for information on Volney Phifer (1898-1974) best known as the trainer for MGM's Leo the Lion. I noticed some comments back in 2009 about Earl Hammond and his connection with Volney. I knew both and am in contact with Liz's daughters. We are all trying to find more info on Volney and the correct info on Leo as there are many versions. Any help anyone can give, any photos, any contacts would be very appreciated. I can be contacted directly at Greenall@vermontel.net

Posted by Buckles at 2/14/2016 05:36:00 PM

8 comments:

Chic Silber said...


Slats from Gay's Lion Farm

in El Monte California was

at least 1 of the MGM "Leos"

14 February, 2016 17:55
Roger Smith said...

There is extensive detail on Volney Phifer on the net. He is credited with training the first studio logo lion, Slats, who was first featured in 1917. Wikipedia lists the subsequent MGM lions in order and for their years of duration. This coverage is rich in research. Phifer supervised many exotic animals for such films as TRADER HORNE, in Africa, and ESKIMO, in Alaska. He also had a circus background. He died at 76, and left his vast movie memorabilia collection to his sister-in-law, Anna McCutcheon, who died at 96. Check Phifer's name throughout the many sites available on both himself and in the history wild animal training for the studios.

14 February, 2016 18:24
Chic Silber said...


Leo was the 1st of the MGM title lions

and was trained by Volney Phifer

After death in 1938 at the age of 23

Leo was buried on Volney's farm in rural NJ

Leo was brought to America by Phifer during

World War I and survived train wrecks

a Mississippi flood a California earthquake

and a plane crash in Arizona

14 February, 2016 18:41
Chic Silber said...


Having heard from several friends

that all seem to know the REAL story

I have learned there are several

versions of the MGM "Leo" history

Kinda like other circus tales

Slats using the "Leo" billing

may well have been the 1st "Leo"

trained by Phifer & at least 6

other lions have followed him

including Mel Koontz's Jackie

14 February, 2016 19:01
Jay Kirwan said...

There was a great little documentary on Irelands TG4 about the first MGM lion which was born in Dublin zoo (Slats).
If I recall correctly there were relatives of Volney interviewed.
Might be worth checking out You Tube or TG4's web site.

18 February, 2016 05:52
Roger Smith said...

Right, JEROME. Slats was born in Ireland, and did not come out of Gay's Lion Farm. He also appeared under his own name, and was then and always known as Slats. No one called him Leo. Once again, check Wikipedia (for one site) for the list of MGM logo lions by name and years of appearance. Also, further read the MGM site itself for their complete logo history.

18 February, 2016 16:10
Chic Silber said...


Don't be quite so certain Roger

Slats was presented by MGM as "Leo"

He was born in Dublin & brought to the US

during WW I by Volney Phifer & was most

likely the 1st MGM "Leo"

"Leo was brought to America by Phifer during

World War I and survived train wrecks

a Mississippi flood a California earthquake

and a plane crash in Arizona"

He was flown in a custom airplane as shown

Wikipedia is not the gospel & is often wrong

18 February, 2016 19:38
Rick Spector said...

Are you aware of the 2012 auction, in Georgia, of what was left of his MGM days including his photo albums, posters and the panels from the REO Speedwagon truck that he took Leo on tour with?

06 August, 2016 18:45

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