Harum Scarum

Elvis' B Movie Classic
I avoided this film for years, mainly because it simply looked too embarrassing to sit through as a fan of the King. Since it was included among the newest wave of Elvis dvds, I finally decided to give it a chance.

It didn't surprise me to find that, as a meaningful film, it is arguably among Elvis' worst. The premise is silly, the leading lady (Mary Ann Mobley) has little to do (and little screentime with the King), and the whole thing is pretty hard to take seriously. But then, considering that much of Elvis' film canon was pretty lightweight anyway, it's hard to imagine anyone going into this expecting a meaningful film.

What is left is an Elvis movie that works surprisingly well as a campy B movie. In fact, if it had been released as an MGM dvd, it would've fit well into their (highly entertaining) Midnite Movies line. For starters, while shot using some of the old King of Kings sets, you almost expect to see Kirk and Spock beam in at any moment...

Elvis VS Ali Baba
Ok, this is definitely NOT one of "the King's" better films, but I still enjoyed it. I originally saw it when I saw six years old and loved it because Elvis was fighting with a sword...and frankly that's probably still the best aspect of this movie. Elvis demonstrates some of his modest Karate talents as well. He was a Black Belt believe it or not but in reality Bruce Lee would probably have cleaned his clock. Before you buy "Harum (sic) Scarum" be warned that this is also one of the two WEIRDEST Elvis movies ever made (the other one being "Easy Come Easy Go" where he plays a frogman and sings about Yoga.) The songs in "Harum Scarum" are not among his best...however if you watch carefully it looks like Elvis was having fun in this movie. He probably had a blast running around this old C.B.deMille movie set killing assassins with karate and saber. So, if you buy "Harum Scarum" remember...the movie is pretty bad, the songs mediocre, but the fun level is pretty darned high...

Elvis and Miss America in a world of Arabian Nights fantasy
HARUM SCARUM is a colourful excursion into fantasy and music, as Elvis Presley plays an action film star, who gets lost in a world of Arabian Nights-esque intrigue. Former "Miss America" Mary Ann Mobley plays his seven-veiled princess.

This is a fun romp, along the same lines as the "Road To..." movies, and Elvis completely throws himself into the proceedings. Mary Ann Mobley is a stunning love interest and the production values are quite lavish (this film was actually shot on the old sets used for Cecil B. DeMille's "King of Kings" in 1925). With Fran Jeffries, Michael Ansara, Billy Barty and Jay Novello.

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