# MGM lion flight source check

Reviewed November 4, 2026. Article: https://managingexpectations.net/blog/articles/mgm-lion-martin-jensen-1927-flight.html

Lead: https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1Kfj3E5GYZ/?mibextid=wwXIfr

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## Evidence hierarchy

The American Heritage Center article reproduces photographs and Jensen captions credited to Box 1 of the Martin Jensen Papers. The Archives West finding aid independently establishes the collection's identity and describes photographs/newspaper clippings about the MGM flight. We reviewed the online account and finding aid, not every document in the physical collection. PHOENIX supplies a detailed later history with newspaper attributions. Smithsonian supports the mascot-name and screen-career context; its body was recovered in the browser after generic extraction returned an incomplete result.

## Claim limits and discrepancies

- September 16, 1927 departure; California–New York publicity flight; modified Ryan aircraft; Arizona crash; survival and rescue: supported by the cited accounts.
- Jackie versus Leo: individual name versus shared studio mascot identity, not necessarily two different animals in this story.
- Storm/terrain/weight: descriptions vary in emphasis. No original accident investigation reviewed.
- Injuries: AHC says no injuries; PHOENIX describes minor pilot injuries and later lion sores. Use survived, not an unconditional without-a-scratch claim.
- Telephone quotation and ranger refusal: historical anecdotes; no recording or contemporaneous verbatim transcript reviewed. The ranger-refusal exchange is specifically attributed to AHC.
- Rescue itinerary: AHC says New York by truck; PHOENIX says return to Hollywood. Both document rescue; onward route not resolved.
- Jackie’s 1928–1956 screen appearances: reuse of imagery/recording, not a claim that the animal lived throughout that period.
- No claims about unverified circus accidents, exact lion weight, contemporary animal-law findings or current canyon access added.

## Sources

- University of Wyoming American Heritage Center — When Lions Fly (2020): https://ahcwyo.org/2020/04/13/when-lions-fly/
- Archives West — Martin Jensen Papers, Collection 10025: https://archiveswest.orbiscascade.org/ark:80444/xv483978
- PHOENIX magazine — King of the Coconino (2018): https://www.phoenixmag.com/2018/09/01/king-of-the-coconino/
- Smithsonian Magazine — The Story of Hollywood’s Most Famous Lion (2017): https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/mgms-first-lion-didnt-roar-180962852/