“Every pretty girl’s gonna know I’m around”
Harum Scarum was released November 24, 1965. The film was directed by Gene Nelson and directed by Sam Katzman. The film was based partly on Rudolph Valentino’s The Sheik which was released in 1921. Harum Scarum earned $2 million at the box office and reached #11 on Variety national weekly box office charts. The title of Harum Scarum was originally known as In My Harem. In Europe the film was released as Harem Holiday. Though Comically enough, the film is featured in Golden Raspberry Award founder John Wilson’s book The Official Razzle Movie Guide as one of The 100 Most Enjoyable Bad Movies Ever Made. The movie is pretty bad, but Elvis is amazing. It was filmed on the same set as The King of Kings.
Elvis stars as Johnny Tyrone, an American movie star that goes to the Middle East to premiere his new motion picture. Johnny is kidnapped by a man who wants him to kill the king.
So Close Yet So Far (From Paradise)
In his capture, he comes across a slave girl, Shalimar (portrayed by Mary Ann Mobley who was also in Girl Happy).
Mirage
Shalimar turns out to be the king’s daughter. When Johnny helps restore order to the government, he and his bride take a honeymoon in Las Vegas.
Harem Holiday
This movie, when described, sounds awful. Truth be told, it is. I watch it and love it because Elvis is in it. I love the music and the bright colors throughout the film. The outfits and such remind me of Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom, which could be another reason why I love the visions of the film so much. I remember thinking the outfits in Harum Scarum were quite similar to the ones Willie Scott wore in Temple of Doom. Let me be really honest, if wearing those meant I was able to be near Elvis or Harrison Ford I would do it in less than a heartbeat.
TCB,
Little Sister
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