The Region - News from Dec. 25, 1986

When the two life-sized, mahogany lions were reported missing, they were described as priceless icons representing the roaring symbol of the Metro Goldwyn Mayer motion picture studio. Lorimar-Telepictures, which took over the former MGM studio lot in Culver City last month, feared that the lions had been stolen and came up with a reward that . . . well, it would have done justice to a past generation of press agents. Anyone whose information led to recovery of the venerable lions would get lunch with actor Larry Hagman and an appearance on Lorimar’s soap opera “Dallas.” As it turned out, the lions had been in the studio’s property department all the time, and staff member Mike Miller discovered them. “I hate to say the lions are in our own backyard, but I guess they are,” Lorimar Vice President Burt Vaupen said. Miller will get the reward, a spokeswoman said. “Why not? He found them,” she said. Ars Gratia Artis.