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Harum Scarum (Elvis Presley) [1965]
![Harum Scarum (Elvis Presley) [1965]](http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51ADBYG13NL._SL160_.jpg)
RRP: £12.99
Our Price: £4.48 (subject to change)
Harmless fun
Review date: 2008-02-22 Rating: 6 out of 10
Although I am a big Elvis fan of over 35 years I had not seen this film until very recently and was filled with no little trepidation at what I expected to be embarrassing viewing. OK its not brilliant and definately for fans only, as are most of Elvis' films, but not half as bad as I had been expecting. It is good clean fun and requires no greater suspension of disbelief than many of the current big budget movies. I really enjoyed the hour and a half or so spent in the company of the King, it was harmless escapism and at under a fiver I cant complain. If you dont expect too much you too may find yourself pleasantly entertained.
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Reviews
Camp fun!
Review date: 2007-06-14 Rating: 6 out of 10
Ok, this is not a good or even an OK film by the usual standards of film production and film criticism. However it's one of the most fascinating Elvis films simply because its soo bad...that it becomes good! Yes, good in a post-modern sort of way. Harum Scarum is obviously a B movie that can't even grade as kitch like so many of Presley's movies. In fact Harum Scarum seems to be a parody of the Hollywood exoctic Arab type stories, like Rudolph Valentino films and in some extent it even parodies B movies produced in the forties and fities like the Tony Curtis flick "The Prince who was a Thief".
What this means is that involuntarily Gene Nelson the director of this movie turned a lousy production into a delicious parody of Hollywood cliches and genre situations, resulting by today's standards as an interesting artifact of popular culture and commenting on the decline of Hollywood genre films (Cat Ballou, and Rocky Horror Picture Show are also examples of Camp).
Has a plus the soundtarck has some nice songs, very adequate to this type of film and setting, "shake that tambourine" comes to mind, but its regretable that the movie does't include the soundtrack's best tune, "Animal Instinct" that definetly deserves to be rediscovered since it has potential for a remix along the lines of "a little less conversation".
If you only enjoy Elvis best movies (like King Creole and Blue Haway, or Viva Las Vegas and Flaming Star) this film is not for you, but if CAMP is a concept you understand and enjoy...give it a try!
What a woeful film!!!
Review date: 2006-08-01 Rating: 2 out of 10
It is such a shame that The King had to make films such as Harum Scarum, with a weak plot, and songs that make your gut churn, I can truly understand why Elvis was so ticked off with the Colonel!
This is a film for true die hard Elvis fans, even though he looks amazing in the film, and very, very exotic.
Product Details/Specifications
Actor(s):
Mary Ann Mobley
Elvis Presley
Fran Jeffries
Michael Ansara
Creators:
Elvis Presley (Primary Contributor)
Michael Ansara (Primary Contributor)
Director(s):
Recording label: Warner Home Video
Manufacturer: Warner Home Video
EAN: 7321900651523
Binding: DVD
Number of items: 1
Format: PAL,
Release date: 2005-02-04
Audience rating: Universal, suitable for all
Region code: 2
Running time: 82 minutes
Theatrical release date: 1965
Language: English (Original Language)