Clarence, the Cross-Eyed Lion
Clarence, the Cross-Eyed Lion

Movie spotlight

Clarence, the Cross-Eyed Lion

1965
Movie
98 min
English

When a native village is apparently terrorized by a Lion, the local sergeant enlists the help of a veterinarian working at a nearby animal study center. It is soon discovered that the Lion has a unique problem, it has double vision due to the fact that it is cross eyed and therefore cannot hunt. The Lion is taken back to the study center and is soon adopted by the vet's daughter. Meanwhile, a dangerous criminal is planning to capture young Gorillas and sell them on the black market...

Insights

IMDb6.2/10
Director: Andrew MartonGenres: Adventure, Family, Comedy

Plot Summary

A young girl travels to Africa and befriends a lion with a cross-eyed condition. When the lion's unique ability to see in two directions at once proves vital in rescuing her father from a dangerous situation, the girl and the lion must work together to overcome the perils of the African jungle.

Critical Reception

Clarence, the Cross-Eyed Lion received a mixed to positive reception, primarily appreciated for its family-friendly nature and the unique premise of its titular lion. While some critics found the plot predictable and the acting a bit stiff, it was generally seen as an entertaining adventure for younger audiences, with the novelty of the cross-eyed lion being a significant draw.

What Reviewers Say

  • Praised for its unique and endearing animal star.

  • Appealed to families and children with its adventurous plot.

  • Some found the storyline to be simplistic and somewhat dated.

Google audience: Audiences generally found the film to be a charming and enjoyable experience, particularly for children, who were fascinated by the cross-eyed lion. While not a critical darling, many viewers recall it fondly as a lighthearted adventure with a memorable animal protagonist.

Fun Fact

The lion, named Clarence, was actually two different lions: one that was cross-eyed and another that was not, used for scenes requiring specific behaviors or more natural-looking eye coordination.

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