The inspiration for the story can be found in the February 12, 1951 issue of Life magazine titled "Fearless Fagan Finds a Home". Fagan played himself in this movie, "And introducting Fearless Fagan (Himself)" appears in the opening credits and his owner PFC Floyd C. Humeston acted as an adviser. The true part of the story is that Humeston worked as a clown with his lion. When he was drafted, he could not find a suitable home for Fagan so he took Fagan with him to Ford Ord, CA. After the film was completed, Fagan remained as a resident of M-G-M's animal compound until Humeston's enlistment was up in Oct 1952. I would recommend this movie even though much of the comedy is contrived.