An actor known for martial arts (Presley) finds himself taken against his will and compelled by a shadowy group of killers to assassinate the ruler of an obscure Middle Eastern nation (Phillip Reed). Along the way, he develops feelings for the king’s daughter (Mary Ann Mobley) and becomes involved with a traveling band of performers who also happen to be thieves. “Harum Scarum” (1965) marks Elvis' 19th film out of a total of 31 in his acting career. It is often cited as his least impressive work, but that assessment isn’t entirely accurate. The movie offers an enjoyable and lighthearted parody of Middle Eastern adventure films such as Sinbad or even Conan, though it’s less serious, made on a smaller budget, and without the magic and creatures common to those stories. You're meant to relax and enjoy yourself rather than overthink things. If you need something to compare it to, imagine Star Trek’s “Plato’s Stepchildren,” but with musical numbers and more humor. Like the original Star Trek series, Michael Ansara appears as the king’s brother; he is also recognizable for his role as Kang, the Klingon, in “Day of the Dove.” The vibrant supporting cast includes Jay Novello as the little person Zacha. Besides Mobley's charm, Fran Jeffries and several other attractive actresses are featured. It's unfortunate that their appearances are mostly concealed by traditional Arabian clothing, but that’s understandable given the setting. I am pleased “Harum Scarum” is part of Elvis’ film record; it provides a refreshing change from his usual roles. The movie has a runtime of 1 hour and 25 minutes and was filmed on the set of Cecil B. DeMille's 1925 adaptation of "King of Kings" at Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Studios in Culver City, as well as on location at Iverson Ranch in Los Angeles; some scenes were also shot at Earl Carroll Theatre in Hollywood. GRADE: B-

Source on TMDB