Cowardly Lion (MGM)

For other versions, see Cowardly Lion

Cowardly Lion (MGM)
Character Information
Title	King of the Forests of Oz
Gender	Male
Species	Lion
Origin	Munchkin Country
Residence	Emerald City
Production Information
First Appearance	The Wizard of Oz (1939)

"Put 'em up! 'PUT 'EM UP!!! Which one of ya first? I'll fight ya both together if you want! I'll fight ya with one paw tied behind my back! I'll fight ya standing on one foot! I'll fight ya with my eyes closed!"

―Cowardly Lion

"In another hour, I'll be king of the forest! LONG LIVE THE KING!"

―Cowardly Lion before singing If I Were King of the Forest

The Cowardly Lion is a deuteragonist in the 1939 MGM movie The Wizard of Oz.

Bert Lahr is justifiably famous for his portrayal of the iconic Lion. As Dorothy, Scarecrow and the Tin Man are travelling through the dark forest following the yellow brick road on the way to the Emerald City, the Cowardly Lion ambushes Dorothy and her friends and tries to fight them all. Dorothy slaps him on the nose for trying to attack Toto and discovers that the Lion is a coward as he admits that he is not brave at all. Dorothy feels sorry for the lion and tells him about the Wizard in the Emerald City and maybe he could give the lion some courage.

When the four finally reach Emerald City, and are prepared to meet the Wizard, the Lion is prepared to assume the role of King of the Forest, claiming his courage will allow him to face any opponent undaunted. However, his first visit with the (seemingly) menacing Wizard traumatizes the Lion so badly he faints. Despite his fear, he accompanies the group to defeat the Wicked Witch, and later to rescue Dorothy after she's captured and imprisoned.

When the four return to the Wizard with the defeated Witch's broomstick, they learn the Wizard is nothing more than an ordinary man, and the menacing head was all special effects. When they call him out on this, the Wizard tells the Lion that he always had the courage he seeks, mentioning how fleeing danger isn't a lack of courage, but a sense of wisdom. He refers the marching soldiers from his homeland, and how their courage is no greater than the Lion's, and awards the Lion a metal for his bravery in his rescues.

Lahr's other role was Aunt Em and Uncle Henry's farm worker, Zeke. He helps Hickory (Tin Man's alter ego) lower a bed into its place on a wagon at the farm while Hunk (Scarecrow's alter ego) repairs the wagon with them. He then moves the hogs into the pig pen and pours feed into their trough and later rescues Dorothy when she falls off the railing that encircles the pen. While Dorothy is unharmed, Zeke is slightly traumatized by the experience, foreshadowing his role as the Lion. Zeke wears his hat throughout the entire film because he does not struggle to pry open the cellar when the tornado approaches the farm. Hunk (Scarecrow's alter ego) closes and locks the cellar with him when Dorothy arrives at the farmhouse. Zeke and Professor Marvel (The Wizard's alter ego) are the only men wearing hats when Dorothy awakens from being unconscious.

This version serves as the basis for later adaptions that are authorized remakes and sequels which include:

• The Wizard of Oz (TV series): Cowardly Lion (DIC)
• Tom and Jerry & The Wizard of Oz, Tom and Jerry: Back to Oz: Cowardly Lion (Tom and Jerry)
• Dorothy and The Wizard of Oz: Cowardly Lion (Boomerang)

Trivia

• In Disney's The Lion King, Scar reffered to the line "Long live the King" before killing his brother Mufassa.
• In the movie, the Lion walks on his hind legs instead of all four, except when he is first seen bounding out of the forest to attack Dorothy's friends. After roaring fiercely at them on all fours, he does stand up on his hind legs.
• MGM's Leo the Lion was Originally considered for the role of Cowardly Lion in this film. but the idea was ultimately rejected due to safety concerns and the impracticality of using a live animal for a starring role. MGM would have hired an actor to dub the lines over the lion's dialogue, but insurance companies would not entertain the idea, leading to the casting of Bert Lahr in the role. However in Early Production of film. The three Actors were scared Because of Him due to the difficulty of moving and seeing in their costumes. This fear was a significant challenge in the production.

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