Harum Scarum (1965)

[Albert]

HARUM SCARUM

Theatrical-Release: 1965
Studio: MGM
Director: Gene Nelson
Producer: Sam Katzman
Film Lenght: 95 mins
Colour/B&W: Colour


Cast:

Johnny Tyronne - Elvis Presley
Princess Shalimar - Mary Ann Mobley
Aishah - Fran Jeffries
Prince Drana - Michael Ansara
Zacha - Jay Novello
King Toranshad - Philip Reed

Story:

Elvis Presley plays a moviestar and singer, who is kidnapped by a group of Arabian assassins while touring the Middle East.
It doesn't take very long before he finds himself in the middle of a plot to murder the king.
Together with some pick-pockets he sets on an adventure to rescue the king and even has time to romance two beautiful women: the not to be trusted Fran Jeffries and Mary Ann Mobley.

Of course all things end well, with Elvis saving the king from being murdered and winning Mary Ann Mobley while doing so.

He returns to the States with an Oriental dancing party, which even becomes a part of his show in Las Vegas.


Behind The Scenes:

Working titles: "In My Harem", "Harum Holiday", "Harem Scarum".

Elvis began filming on March 15, 1965 in Culver City at the MGM Studio.

The temple set originally was built for "King Of Kings" directed by Cecil B. DeMille, back in 1925.

Many of the costumes were upgraded originals from the 1955 movie: "Kismet".

This movie reached No.11 on Variety's box office chart.

Songs:


Harem Holiday
My Desert Serenade
Go East - Young Man
Mirage
Kismet
Shake That Tambourine
Hey Little Girl
Golden Coins
So Close, Yet So far (From Paradise)

Movie Trailer:

YouTube- Harum Scarum - Original Trailer 1965


Related Links:

Pictures: www.tcb-world.com/gallery/browseimages.php?c=70&userid= (http://www.tcb-world.com/gallery/browseimages.php?c=70&userid=)

[JerryNodak]

I love the soundtrack. But HATE the film.

[NEA]

I have now viewed every one of The King's movies, and I am so glad I left this one until last because it is undoubtedly the worst of the lot!

The script is absurd, the acting is crap, Elvis is bored and no doubt stressed at the fact of having to mime to a less than mediocre soundtrack of songs that had been undoubtedly tampered with at the Colonel's request because he probably asked his 'knowledgable' (?) wife, Marie if she thought that Elvis' voice should be brought into the foreground a lot more!

I would say that the only saving graces for this Arabian Nights-nonsense are 'Kismet', 'So Close Yet So Far' and watching Elvis' various Karate displays as well as seeing him in a couple of sword fighting sequences - quite unusual for him.

Nevertheless, don't lose any sleep over missing out on this one...If it wasn't packaged with 'Viva Las Vegas' and 'Speedway' in a DVD set, I don't think the company could give this one away let alone sell it separately!

[pacer1965]

I don't think this is the worst film Elvis ever done.
It's not the greatest either.

I don't watch Elvis' films very often.
But it's nice to have them.
Picture quality is very good on the dvd.

The best songs are "Kismet" and "So Close,Yet So Far.
So I'm not a lover of the soundtack for this film.
Elvis does not seem in my opinion enjoying this film.He looks
bored to me on some of the scenes.

For the ladies it's a must have;) ,Elvis looks stunning in
this film.
As for the guy's you can get by without it.:D

[Sonny]

Updated,

Sonny

[Polk-Salad-Annie]

i love the music that goes with this movie, but i hate the movie it self.(n)

[ForeverTheKing]

I love the soundtrack...it's one of my favourite!(y)

The movie is not so exciting but I don't think it's the worst...I don't dislike it so much as others..but I think everyone has his personal taste!:lol:

[Lisarose]

This movie is - IMO- a good example of how a good plot for a movie goes astray. I enjoy very first part of the movie - the idea of him going to this foreign country & gettting kidnapped & trying to find his way out of that mess, but then it just gets so out of hand - like the writer was called away for an emergency & the script falls into the hands of a well meaning child who wants to make sure Dad gets a paycheck to cover the emergency he's been called away for.

[jadedragon61]

Yeah, E looks kinda bored outta his skull in this one. The soundtrack is not too bad though. I like that dance number with the little kid dancing around.

The plot don't make no kinda sense though.

[Sonny]

Updated with movie trailer.

Sonny

[SabuliGloger]

:cool: :cool: the soundtrack is one from my favorites,i like it(y) (y)

[carl4845]

is this or was it ever called Arabian Nights A-Go-Go? my mother in law a total fan and spent all night looking for this mythical film, found and bought all the ones she missing and is now 0137 in the ruddy morning and maxed out on coffee, please help

[Sonny]

Not sure if the movie itself was called that in some countries, but a similar line appeared on the movie poster if I'm correct.

Sonny

[elvisia]

Think I read somewhere, that Elvis just loved the outfit he was wearing...lol, and wouldn`t take it off.......
Well, only great thing about the movie...in my opinion is "So close yet so far"..... really a great song and performed with passion by Elvis...(Actually think he loved the song himself)
Elvisia

[beckyelvis1]

I saw this at like 5am one morning on TCM... I didn't care much for it, but Elvis looked good

[Sonny]

Updated with new trailer.

Sonny

[renapap05]

This is the worst Elvis movie ever(n)(n)(n)

[Sonny]

Updated with clip from the movie.

[Sonny]

New update with trailer.

[charlotte*elvis*]

the film it self was bad but i think elvis looked very hot!:)