Fearless Fagan

Floyd works as a circus clown with a comical lion and learns he has been drafted. He is given a chance to enlist as an alternative to jail, but he worries about leaving his best friend Fagan behind. He makes the difficult decision to proceed with the draft rather than abandon the lion.

Owen Gillman suggests Floyd buy Fagan so the lion can stay with the circus and be worked by Emil Tacuchnitz. The idea is to keep the famous act intact while Floyd goes along with the military plan.

Floyd joins the army and hides Fagan somewhere on the base, keeping the lion secret from everyone. The risky arrangement lets him fulfill his duty without losing his friend.

Abbey Ames arrives on base to entertain the troops and stumbles upon Floyd and Fagan playing in the woods. Frightened by the discovery, she promises to keep Fagan's presence secret.

Abbey returns with Colonel Horne and troops, ready to search the woods for the lion. The search grid grows as the army tries to locate the animal before more trouble occurs.

Sgt. Kellwin, Captain Daniels, and Colonel Horne coordinate to help Floyd find a proper home for Fagan. After an exhaustive search, a safe place is found with the Ardleys.

A home is found with the Ardleys, and Floyd reveals his love to Abbey. She begins to have feelings for him, though she still doubts him.

Fagan escapes his cage and creates havoc along the way back to Floyd. The chaos draws attention and complicates Floyd's new life on base.

The lion is recaptured after the uproar, bringing a temporary sense of order back to the base. Floyd and others brace for the consequences of the escape.

The Army gives Floyd the choice of selling Fagan to his old circus or euthanasia; he is faced with a heartbreaking ultimatum. The decision weighs heavily on his sense of loyalty to his friend and to Abbey.

Emil arrives to collect Fagan and cracks the whip, prompting a fierce response from the lion. A soldier wounds Fagan, and Floyd knows a wounded lion could kill. He grips a pistol and wrestles with the choice, ultimately deciding not to shoot and instead trying to calm the animal.

Floyd wakes up in the hospital to learn he will receive a medal and a ten-day pass. Kellwin also tells him that Fagan is alive and Abbey has taken him to Hollywood, giving the lion a new chance at life.

Floyd arrives at Abbey's home and discovers a lion skin rug as a grim reminder of the past. Abbey then leads him to the outdoor pool where Fagan leaps from the diving board and swims to safety, ending the ordeal on a hopeful note.