Probably a posed photo of Jackie the MGM Lion being filmed for the opening logo sequence in the 1920s.

The very first MGM Lion used around 1915 or so was evidently Slats, who no-one heard, I guess.

In the 1930s along came Tanner, who was a bit of a vocal , grumpy and roary old thing and MGM used his image for a number of years.

I guess Tanner was an animal slave who just got fed while his owner dodged his jaws and became moderately well off. 

But Tanner got a big break in 1935 when he appeared opposite Groucho Marx for a few seconds in the opening titles for the Marx Brothers “A Night at the Opera.”

Good one Tanner old mate!