Harum Scarum

_**Elvis goes to a hidden Middle Eastern kingdom to fight assassins**_ An American actor and martial arts expert (Presley) is kidnapped and forced by a sinister group of assassins to execute the king of a secret kingdom in the Middle East (Phillip Reed). During the course of events he falls in love with the King’s daughter (Mary Ann Mobley) and hooks up with an entertainment troupe that are thieves on the side. “Harum Scarum” (1965) was Elvis’ 19th movie of the 31 in his acting filmography. Many say it’s his worst, but it’s not. It’s a tuneful frolic and sendup of Middle Eastern swashbucklers, like Sinbad or even Conan, but more amusing, cheaper and without the sorcery & monsters. You’re supposed to roll with it and have fun, not take it seriously. For a ballpark parallel, think Star Trek’s “Plato’s Stepchildren” but with a comedic flair and songs. Speaking of the original Star Trek, Michael Ansara is on hand as the king’s brother; he of course played the Klingon Kang in “Day of the Dove.” The colorful cast also includes Jay Novello as little person Zacha. Aside from winsome Mobley, the feminine department features the stunning Fran Jeffries and several other beauties. Too bad their lovely forms are largely hidden by Arabian-styled apparel, but that’s to be expected. I’m glad “Harum Scarum” is in Elvis’ oeuvre. It’s fun and not the same-old, same-old. The film runs 1 hour, 25 minutes, and was shot on the set of Cecil B. DeMille’s 1925 version of “King of Kings” at Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Studios in Culver City, as well as location shooting at Iverson Ranch, Los Angeles; and some scenes done at Earl Carroll Theatre in Hollywood. GRADE: B-