Elvis Presley - Scene from "Harum Scarum" (MGM 1965)

40 years before George W. it was Elvis who went to the Middle East to kill Sinan, Lord of the Assassins. Actually he was kidnapped by him to kill King Toranshah in the first place. But then he falls for the King's daughter, Princess Shalimar, and of course must do everything to save her father's life...

What many consider Elvis' worst movie is, as author Paul Simpson ("The Rough Guide to Elvis") puts it, "weird enough to be compelling, simply less boring in its unbelievable way than guff like 'Paradise, Hawaiian Style'." How true.

Financially at least Elvis couldn't have cared less. This was the movie he was paid the famous 1,000,000 $ for plus 40% of the cash receipts which meant another 800,000 $ for the U. S. alone. And we're talking about 1965's money here and three movies a year plus soundtrack albums. So, which actor wouldn't have gone "harum scarum" over this deal and starred in this camp classic? Especially if the leading lady is Miss America Mary Ann Mobley...

Category:

Entertainment

Tags:

• Sam Katzman
• Elvis Presley
• Mary Ann Mobley
• Middle East
• Fatwa