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History - Leo, the Hall's Pet Lion
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When Howard and Margaret Hall moved into the mansion in 1937, they brought their love for animals. Two German Shepherds were a constant presence at Brucemore, along with Mrs. Hall’s exotic bird collection. The most famous of the Halls’ pets was their lion, Leo.
Mr. Hall’s business took him to California where he developed numerous contacts in Hollywood. At some point, Howard made the acquaintance of Billy Richards, the vice-president of World Jungle Compound, a business promoted as the "Home of the Motion-Picture Animal Actors" and which handled "Jackie" the famous MGM lion. In 1936, nearly a year before the Halls moved into the mansion, they purchased the first of three lions they named Leo.
Based on evidence from their letters, the first Leo did not live long, although the reason for his death has not been determined. The was related to Jackie, the MGM lion. The second Leo joined the Halls in 1937 and lived until 1951. This is the lion that appears in the many family photos and home movies and is the only one buried in the pet cemetery. The third Leo lived at Brucemore during a few months in 1951. While no lions lived on the estate after 1953, Mr. Hall helped aquire a lion for the Bever Park Zoo in the 1960s.
Stories of the Halls’ exotic pets still fascinate people a generation after their deaths. Letters, like the ones following, provide documentation for these stories. Stored in the Brucemore archives, each letter is hand-written on stationery from the Biltmore hotel in downtown Los Angeles. Mr. Hall included only the day of the week and time on his written correspondences. However, the approximate dates are based on postmarked envelopes. The excerpts have been transcribed with stylistic idiosyncrasies.
Story #1
Friday eve. [September 3, 1937?]
Sweetheart:-
George drove me out to the zoo today and I met Mr. Richards who I bought our first cub from- he was extremely nice - they have a very interesting place. Mr. Richards introduced me to the trainer Melvin Koontz who gave me the thrill of my life - first he let Leo’s brother out, now 15 months and nearly full grown big as a house, he played like a kitten and climbed all over me and licked my face. put his paws on my shoulders - it made me sick to think what Leo might have been. - he is a sweetheart. and then he took me in the cage alone with "Jackie" the famous movie lion now 10 years old - 450 lbs. just huge - Melvin raised him from a cub - he had him stand on his back legs and put his paws on my shoulder - the first time he pushed me over he was so heavy. The next time I held him - the greatest thrill I ever had - then I got on his back and rode him. Made him carry my bag Etc. - Melvin then left with him in a cage for a movie studio where he had a small part in Lily Pons picture with Edward Everett Horton and Jack Okie. I never hope to have such a big moment again - ....
Will be glad to get home and see you and the zoo.
Love Howard
Story #2
September 7, 1937
Tuesday Eve. 8:30
Sweetheart:-
We had a fine time over at the Island but no fish- worked like ---- for three days- but no luck. - guess I haven’t lived right or something....
....Had some pictures developed and have some good ones of the famous lion "Jackie" one of him standing up and putting his paws on my shoulder - and one of my riding him - he is a beautiful animal. 10 years old- the one you saw recently in the "Look" magazine. - and our last years Leo’s brother- is as big as a house now- and is a marvelous fellow with a good disposition. He just seemed to know that I was his Uncle. - it made me very sad to think that our Leo could not have developed the same way. Am getting anxious to start home now- but can’t leave until Thursday - the steamliner doesn’t sail until then. - we will have lots to talk about.
Love to "you" and the zoo,
Howard.
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