Fanny in the Lion's Den: A Strange Little Cartoon

Is this worth your time?

Honestly, it depends on how much you like silent cartoons that make absolutely zero sense. If you enjoy the frantic, bouncy energy of Paul Terry’s work, you might get a kick out of it. If you need a plot that holds together or, you know, makes sense, you are going to hate this.

It’s barely a movie, really. More of a sketch that got inked and painted.

Poor Fanny gets thrown to the lions by Harry, who is clearly the worst guy in the room. You expect the usual chase-and-scream routine, but then the movie just... flips. She’s suddenly best buds with the beasts.

The pacing is all over the place. One second she’s terrified, and the next she’s basically having a tea party with a predator. It feels like a rough draft of something like Looney Lions and Monkey Business but without the polish.

Odd Little Details

• The lions don't look all that scary, honestly. They look like giant house cats that missed their nap.
• The way Fanny moves is kind of jerky, which is expected, but there's a specific moment where she pats a lion on the head that lasts way too long.
• I kept waiting for a punchline that never really landed.

It’s weirdly similar to the nonsensical vibe in Day by Day in Every Way. You don't watch these for the narrative arc. You watch them because they are weird artifacts of a time when people were still figuring out what cartoons could actually do.

I found myself staring at the background art more than the actual action. It’s flat, simple, and has this weird, empty charm. Almost like the lions were just waiting for their turn to leave the set. 🦁

It’s not trying to change the world. It’s just trying to fill a few minutes before the next reel. Sometimes that's enough, even if the ending feels like it just cut off because the ink ran out.

If you're into the history of this stuff, it’s worth a look. Otherwise, maybe just stick to Untamed if you want something with a bit more bite.