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Editorial Reviews
Amazon.com
Say this for Harum Scarum: At least it has the virtue of boasting one of the strangest settings of any Elvis Presley vehicle. Elvis plays an action-movie star on a goodwill tour of the Middle East who's kidnapped in a remote country that has turned its back on modernity. Vilified as an "American unbeliever," he is enlisted by the Lord of the Assassins in a plot to kill a monarch (they've mistaken his filmic kung fu fighting skills for the real thing). And this is an Elvis picture? The soundtrack has a particularly mad selection of faux-"Kismet" numbers relating to the setting, with lyrics such as "I'm gonna go where the desert sun is/I'm gonna go where I know the fun is." Hints that the whole thing is a Rudolph Valentino spoof help the early going, but it gets pretty draggy. Elvis looks liveliest in a Vegas sequence... a bit of foreshadowing. --Robert Horton
Product Description
A famous movie star visiting a Middle East country becomes involved in the intrigue surrounding an attempted assassination and becomes romantically involved with a beautiful Arabian princess. Elvis sings several songs.
Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
5 of 5 people found the following review helpful
By James
Format:DVD
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. There's also a surprising amount of humor in it (both unintentional AND intentional), with Elvis getting off quite a few good one-liners early on. Also good is Jay Novello as that rare comic relief that is actually funny. As the film progresses, you can almost sense Elvis' waning interest, but the rest of the cast puts in a fine effort. And where else can you see Billy Barty bellydancing or Elvis bringing a bullwhip to a fight?
Ironically, Elvis was actually very eager to make this film. He saw it as a chance to create a meaningful character and drew inspiration from Rudolph Valentino in The Sheik. According to Priscilla Presley's Elvis and Me, Elvis was so into the character that he would come home still in costume and keep it on until he went to bed.... Read more ›
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. There's also a surprising amount of humor in it (both unintentional AND intentional), with Elvis getting off quite a few good one-liners early on. Also good is Jay Novello as that rare comic relief that is actually funny. As the film progresses, you can almost sense Elvis' waning interest, but the rest of the cast puts in a fine effort. And where else can you see Billy Barty bellydancing or Elvis bringing a bullwhip to a fight?
Ironically, Elvis was actually very eager to make this film. He saw it as a chance to create a meaningful character and drew inspiration from Rudolph Valentino in The Sheik. According to Priscilla Presley's Elvis and Me, Elvis was so into the character that he would come home still in costume and keep it on until he went to bed.... Read more ›
3 of 3 people found the following review helpful
Format:DVD
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 especially if you like watching Elvis kick assassin butt.
3 of 3 people found the following review helpful
By Josh P.
Format:VHS Tape
"Harum Scarum" is considered, by popular opinion to be Elvis' worst film. Don't try to restrain yourself yet. Watch it once, and see what you think. Elvis is an actor who is sent to Arabia and captured. He is trying to be put into the situation to kill the Arabian king. Elvis romances Mary Ann Mobley and turns against his captors and saves the king. Lot of action. Looks like a big budget film, but it's not. Sam Katzman, who had a reputation in Hollywood for producing films on very short schedules and given the nickname "king of the quickies", borrowed most of the costumes and sets from previously made films that were in the can. The schedule was only 18 days of shooting. Sounds corny, cheap, and cheesy, but that's what pop stars had to deal with in films they didn't like. Pop stars got the poorest film treatment. Again it is not Elvis' best film, but try it. If you don't like it, forget it.
5 of 6 people found the following review helpful
Format:DVD
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.
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.
5 of 6 people found the following review helpful
By CD King
Format:DVD
To me HARUM SCARUM is an excellent comedy spoof. I've enjoyed this great wonder musical classic ever since I saw it in the cinema in the mid-60s when I was a kid. So happy own it now on DVD. It's still as enjoyavle as ever! Many nice songs with an Eastern magic flavor as only Elvis can sings them. I love this movie!
5 of 6 people found the following review helpful
By wallace
Format:DVD
OK , ITS NOT HIS BEST FLICK , BUT ITS STILL ELVIS DOING WHAT ELVIS DOES.AN ENJOYABLE MID 60S MOVIE. DONT TAKE IT TOO SERIOUSLY ,AND JUST HAVE FUN.
5 of 6 people found the following review helpful
Format:DVD|Amazon Verified Purchase
THANK YOU WARNER BROTHERS for useing the original MOVIE POSTERS for the covers of these wonderful DVDs! They look EXCELLENT! I wish the other companies that put ELVIS films out would have followed suit BUT instead they air brush a still from the film and think they can make a better cover than the EXPERIENCED MOVIE POSTER artists of the 1950's and 1960's. All you can ask from an ELVIS movie is that it is Entertaining and a GREAT Soundtrack...this film has both. HAREM HOLIDAY, the films' opening track, is a classic.
Most Recent Customer Reviews
4.0 out of 5 stars
Elvis in Egypt
Elvis plays a charming sheik, almost the same as Ramon Navarro or the great romantic star in silent movies. He is in love with a girl from a harem. Read more
Published 3 months ago by Terry
5.0 out of 5 stars
Daughter is big fan
bought for my daughter she is a really big fan of his movies, me personally never cared for his movies.
Published 4 months ago by bmerobert
5.0 out of 5 stars
LOVE IT MY FAVORITE MOVIE
HAS EVERYTHING ELVIS LOVERS NEED. GREAT DVD AND WELL WRITTEN A MUST HAVE FOR YOUR COLLECTION. GREAT SELLER AND I HOPE TO BUY AGAIN FROM THIS SELLER. THANKS FAST SHIPPING ALSO. Read more
Published 9 months ago by Fara S. Marino
5.0 out of 5 stars
Harum Scarum
Elvis Presley is to me one of the great singers of all time and to me he is THE KING although I think if Buddy Holly had not died a plane crash he could very well have been THE... Read more
Published 16 months ago by granma
3.0 out of 5 stars
Not as bad as reported
Yes, this is a silly film that makes a mess of Middle Eastern society. But giving it one star? Just not correct. Read more
Published 20 months ago by Brent Butler
4.0 out of 5 stars
I Hate Critics
Critics love to bash this movie and a bunch of Elvis movies. If you're a true fan, like myself, don't listen to them. Read more
Published on May 8, 2011 by Bear
1.0 out of 5 stars
Even Colonel Parker Didn't Like It!
...and when the Colonel doesn't like it, you know it's gotta be bad! Absolute trash from the most talented entertainer of the twentieth century! Read more
Published on September 20, 2010 by Kevin Hoffman
1.0 out of 5 stars
Baaaaaaaaaaaaaad
Anyone who could sit through this turkey and then give it the highest rating of 5 stars has my sympathy. You really need to see a doctor. Read more
Published on August 11, 2007 by GEM
5.0 out of 5 stars
Excellent Comedy Spoof
Elvis Presley's very funny and interesting in this comedy spoof. The soundtrack songs are very good.An unusual Elvis movie. A must for any true Elvis fan.
Published on June 4, 2007 by CD King
1.0 out of 5 stars
Why?
Why they chose this movie to put in a box set is beyond me. I remember seeing this movie as a kid and thinking it was dumb. Where is Girl Happy? Read more
Published on January 1, 2007 by Amy Markle
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