From 1960 to 1969 Elvis Presley starred in no less than 27 films. The majority of these were cheap, hastily put-together vehicles designed to make a quick buck; they were generally successful in achieving that goal. The template of such films went like this: Elvis plays a character who is his virtual self, he gets into convoluted trouble with some dumb villains, then he romances a woman while making everything swell. Along the way, Elvis' character would break into song, no matter how forced the situation might be. This formula was repeated so often that a studio executive was prompted to remark, "Elvis' movies don't need titles - they could just be numbered!" These films were harmless, forgettable fun, ranging in quality from mediocre to fairly entertaining. Occasionally, the badness quotient would get breached, by efforts such as 1964's Kissin' Cousins, or today's subject, 1965's Harum Scarum.
Harum Scarum was perhaps Elvis' most reviled movie, not only by critics but by Elvis himself; before filming Elvis actually hoped this film could be a showcase for his dramatic talents. He was quite disappointed once he realized it was nothing more than another dumb campy flick. Of course, given his tight schedule and one million dollar paycheck, he soldiered through his role anyway. Col. Tom Parker, the much-reviled Svengali-like manager of Elvis' career, was also notably disappointed in the script. Despite the fact that Parker was rarely one to value quality over profit, he suggested editing a talking camel into the film in order to salvage it as a straight comedy.
One can practically see Elvis' disappointment with the film by observing his acting performance. He was certainly no Brando but Elvis was at least a serviceable actor and had no problem transferring his considerable charisma from the concert stage to the silver screen. During much of Harum Scarum though, he looks bored or sleepy. Even during some of the musical performances, Elvis stands stiffly and barely moves a facial muscle; remember this is Elvis we're talking about! We see little of the high energy that made him a superstar in the first place. Here he resembles your stereotypical grumpy boy in a school play who's been forced to sing; I have no doubt this was due to his dissatisfaction with the dopey script he was dealt.
To be fair, Harum Scarum is still a better and easier movie to watch than most of the other entries on this website. Some well-versed film fans may actually enjoy the sixties-era goofiness on display here. Plus, despite his comatose performance, Elvis still exudes more charisma than most of today's typical navel-gazing leading men. The easygoing songs, though forgettable, provide nice breaks from the dumb plot and dialogue. This stands in contrast to other bad films filled with music, where the songs are dreadfully boring and drag the proceedings out even further. Unfortunately, Harum Scarum doesn't consist solely of Elvis performing music so let's delve into what else lurks beyond.
Some catchy drumbeats and guitar hooks play as Elvis sings the title track. The credits roll over scenes of snow-capped mountains. I notice that Col. Parker has been credited as the film's technical advisor. Of course, who better than a Dutch-born redneck to provide advice on Middle Eastern culture? We see a darkened banquet hall filled mostly with well-dressed Arab dignitaries and their women. They're primarily English-speaking white actors wearing head wraps but never mind. They view the latest film starring Johnny Tyronne, a famous American action star. Johnny is of course played by Elvis. In the film-within-the-film, Elvis is in some desert scene, trying to rescue a woman who's been tied to a post and is guarded by a chained leopard. He fights off a couple of henchmen with his sword. Most fighting scenes in Elvis films feature lots of poorly choreographed shoving and haphazard punches; ironically, this makes them look more like real-life brawls.
Reality begins leaving the station however, when Elvis' character karate chops the leaping leopard! This temporarily renders it harmless, allowing him to untie the fair maiden. Don't worry about the animal, slowed down it looked like the leopard turned into a toy stuffed animal. This leopard slap wouldn't be worth mentioning in a straight comedy but the audience here reacts amazed; they believe Elvis really beat down a fuckin' leopard!
At his table, Elvis remarks to the older American guy beside him, "This is about the wildest audience I ever played to, ambassador!" I don't know what's so wild about the audience, which remains as inert as the audience during the opening number for 'Springtime for Hitler'. The ambassador replies, "Your goodwill tour of this part of the world will be most helpful to the State Department!" Hmm... improve relations by sending our singing actors over to Arab nations... maybe we can try this with Miley Cyrus... no, that's a one-way ticket, please.
A woman who will be known as Aishah seems impressed by Elvis' movie KO of the leopard. She remarks to a man known as Prince Dragna "(He is) a man of many talents, your highness!" His highness the Prince remains quiet, likely pondering just how stupid his date must be. Then again, who could complain about a woman who looks as good as Fran Jeffries! Rowrr! Trekkies may note that Prince Dragna is played by Michael Ansara, now best known for portraying Klingon Commander Kang on three different Star Trek series. Born in Syria, he also happens to be the only significant castmember here of actual Arabian heritage.
The film-within-the-film ends with Elvis kissing his rescued lover and singing a groovy tambourine and drum ditty called 'My Dearest Serenade'. The audience claps and an Arabian dignitary gets up to the microphone, thanking Elvis for premiering his latest film in their nation of Babelstan. He introduces Elvis, who steps up to the mic. As he often does in his films, he says nothing but instead breaks into song. This is the equivalent of, say, Michael Jordan bouncing a basketball whenever he's introduced to a crowd.
Elvis sings 'Go East Young Man', a song filled with your stereotypical Middle Eastern references, such as oases, harems and caravans. In a style contrary to that which he's known for, Elvis stiffly walks through the audience and barely registers any facial movements while singing. He's either come down with food poisoning or he's just realized how much more of this turkey is left to be filmed. Aishah nevertheless gives him lusty stares. She probably has a nefarious plan in the works; good girls wouldn't throw out lusty stares until the third date or so!
Following his performance, Elvis is introduced to various bigwigs, eventually making his way over to Prince Dragna and Aishah. The Prince invites Elvis to visit his kingdom of Lunacan. There he would be the guest of King Toranshah. The American ambassador thinks it's a good idea to visit King "Jor-and-chow"; it took me a re-watch to understand the ambassador meant the same person. Elvis agrees though he looks about as excited as a kid being roused to get ready for school.
Aishah brags on the nation of Lunacan, stating "When you cross the mountains of the moon into our country... you will be stepping back 2000 years!" I infer that one should expect to observe rampant disease and humans killed for sport? Oh, she meant some jabber about pageantry and beauty.
A plane travels past some of the snow-topped mountains seen during the credits. Elvis, Aishah, Prince Dragna and some servants then travel on horseback. So, you can fly to Lunacan but there's no automobile travel? Anyway, the gang makes camp for the night. While sitting near a campfire, Prince Dragna proclaims to Elvis "This night desert air makes me sleepy". I'd have postulated that staying awake and traveling all day long was a bigger reason but the script needed an excuse to insert some of the Prince's urbane blabber. Elvis, obviously interested in Aishah, asks Prince Dragna who she is in relation to him. The Prince simply says "Aishah... is Aishah." The Prince of Obviousness then retires to his tent for the night.
Aishah immediately emerges from her own tent and walks seductively toward Elvis, who still manages to keep his hair looking moist and shiny despite having spent all day in a desert. While Aishah schmoozes with him, some middle-aged white dudes observe them while hidden behind some rocks. Each of them wears a skullcap reminiscent of Eddie Munster's hairdo. Given this film's setting they all look terribly miscast, so I can only assume that these dudes were part of Elvis' Memphis mafia entourage. Elvis and Aishah kiss each other then share a drink. Elvis takes a sip and passes out, perhaps a precursor of many a night in his future years. Aishah then calls for her Eddie Munster-looking goons to carry him away... ooh you dirty sneaky woman; I knew those lustful stares meant bad news!
Meanwhile over at Lunacan's royal palace, Princess Shalimar plays chess with the King... no not King Elvis but her father, King Toranshah, who was supposed to be receiving Elvis as his guest. Princess Shalimar is played by former Miss America Mary Ann Mobley. Of course she looks Arabian! She has two arms and two legs, just like your average Arab! Anyway, she and her servant wear sexy midriff and cleavage-baring dresses, as will most other young women throughout this film. For a primitive, primarily Muslim nation, the kingdom of Lunacan sure looks rather liberal!
