nature science history

Roar: Living with a Lion

Subject: Neil the pet lion of Tippi Hedren and Noel Marshall sleeps in bed with her daughter Melanie Griffith.  Sherman Oaks, California May 1971 Photographer Michael Rougier Time Inc Owned Merlin- 1200542

Gosh, who’s that over there? That’s Melanie Griffith as a child. No, no, the other one…

Oh, that’s Neil the lion, with whom actress Tippi Hedren, her husband Noel Marshall, and their actress daughter Melanie Griffith shared their home in the early 70’s. How come? Well, after a trip to Africa, they wanted to make a movie about lions, and an animal trainer told them that “to get to know about lions, you’ve got to live with them for a while”. And so they had Neil the lion live with them.

Their life together was documented by LIFE photographer Michael Rougier, and his photos suggest that it was an idyllic life. Unfortunately, however, their movie, Roar, didn’t go quite so well. Melanie required 50 stitches after being attacked by a lioness that was part of the film, and cinematographer Jan de Bont had to have his scalp sewn back on. 70 people wound up being injured by the movie’s cast of 150 large predatory cats. The movie cost more than 17.5 million and made 2 million. (Watch an amazing scene from the movie below the pictures).

Subject: Noel Marshall (husband of Tippi Hedren) working in his study while Neil the pet lion roars.  Sherman Oaks California May 1971 Photographer- Michael Rougier Time Inc Owned Merlin- 1200538

Subject: Tippi Hedren reading a newspaper with Neil the pet lion laying by her. Sherman Oaks, California May 1971 Photographer- Michael Rougier Time Inc Owned Merlin- 1200540

Subject: Neil the pet Lion with Tippi Hedrun reading a newspaper in her home in Sherman Oaks, California. May 1971 Photographer- Michael Rougier Time Life Owned Merlin- 1200534

Subject: Melanie Griffith jumping in a swimming pool while pet lion Neil grabs her leg. Sherman Oaks, California May 1971 Photographer- Michael Rougier Time Inc Owned Merlin- 1200564

living-with-a-lion-griffith-5

Subject: Melanie Griffith in a swimming pool by pet lion Neil. Sherman Oaks, California May 1971 Photographer- Michael Rougier Time Inc Owned Merlin- 1200550

Subject: Tippi Hederen going in refridgerator with pet lion named Nei at her side. Sherman Oaks, California May 1971 Photographer- Michael Rougier Time Inc Owned Merlin-  1200554

Subject: Tippi Hederen wrestling with pet lion named Neil. Sherman Oaks, California May 1971 Photographer- Michael Rougier Time Inc Owned Merlin- 1200552

Subject: Tippi Hedren and Noel Marshall's pet Lion playing with a child by the pool side.  This might be one of Noel Marshall's sons but it's unclear. Sherman Oaks, California May 1971 Photographer- Michael Rougier Time Inc Owned Merlin- 1200546

Subject: Maid stepping over pet lion named Neil in the home of Tippi Hedren and Noel Marshall.  Sherman Oaks, California May 1971 Photographer- Michael Rougier Time Inc Owned Merlin- 1200548

Subject: Pet Lion Neil sleeping with Melanie Griffith In the home of Noel Marshall and her Mom Tippi Hedren. Sherman Oaks, California 1971 Photographer- Michael Rougier Time INc Owned Merlin-1200544

via Bored Panda, Mashable

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Written by Tamás Varga
A sociologist and English major by degree, I've worked in the area of civil society & human rights and have been blogging in the fields of travel, nature & science for over 20 years.

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