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Harum Scarum, 1 - 2
An in-depth
Look at the Movie "Harum Scarum", Part 1 of 2:
Elvis Presley's nineteenth movie was "Harum Scarum" (MGM, 1965),
also known by one of the working titles as "Harem Holiday". It was
produced by Sam Katzman, who was known "king of the quickies" for
making films quickly and cheaply. Principal photography began on
March 15, 1965. Elvis was finished his work on the movie on April
19, 1965.
Filming took place on the lot in Culver City, California with sets
reused from Cecil B. DeMille's 1925 silent film "King of Kings" and
with costumes from the 1944 movie "Kismet" and its 1955 remake.
At first, Elvis was at first very excited about working again with
director Gene Nelson, with whom he had worked on the film "Kissin'
Cousins", and about wearing the Rudolph Valentino type costumes. So
enthusiastic was he that Priscilla says in her memoirs that Elvis
would wear his full makeup and costume home each night, fully
immersed in his role. His excitement soon waned when it became
apparent that, as she put it, "the plot was a joke, his character a
fool, and the songs were disastrous." Even Elvis' manager Colonel
Parker expressed in a letter to MGM that it would take "a 55th
cousin to P.T. Barnum to sell this picture". He suggested they add a
talking camel as narrator, a la "Francis the Talking Mule" in the
Donald O'Connor movies, in order to save it and to make it seem as
if the ridiculousness was intended. His idea was rejected by the
studio.
Producer Sam Katzman's career started as a teenager working with
movie props and continued as he learned all the various phases of
movie making. He became a producer in 1935. He produced over 230
movies, most of which were profitable due to his penchant for
producing with little budget. He also was the producer for Elvis'
film "Kissin' Cousins" as well as numerous jungle films, westerns,
and the East Side Kids film series.
He put out such films as the 1949 version of "Batman and Robin",
"Captain Video, Master of the Stratosphere" and "Brenda Starr,
Reporter" before producing "Your Cheatin' Heart" and teenage
musicals such as "Rock Around The Clock" and "Let's Twist Again".
The director, Gene Nelson, had worked with Elvis on "Kissin'
Cousins". Along with Gerald Drayson Adams he received a Writers
Guild of America nomination in 1965 for that film as Best Written
American Musical. In 1933, Mr. Nelson was inspired by Fred Astaire
to become a dancer. He joined the Sonja Henie Ice Show and toured
for three years with her before joining the US Army in World War II.
After the war he appeared in movies, receiving a Golden Globe Award
in 1951 as Most Promising Newcomer for his work in "Tea For Two". He
might be best remembered for the role of cowboy Will Parker in the
film "Oklahoma". He also directed many television series including "I
Dream of Jeannie", "Star Trek", "Hawaii Five-O", "Starsky and Hutch"
and "Fantasy Island". After "Harum Scarum" wrapped Elvis gave him an
autographed picture saying "Someday we'll do it right."
Writer Gerald Drayson Adams was educated at Oxford University in
England. He worked as a literary agent and business executive. He
specialized in action-adventure and western movies as well as TV
series. He shared in the Writers Guild nomination with Gene Nelson
for "Kissin' Cousins", as mentioned above.
Mary Ann Mobley was Elvis' leading lady for "Harum Scarum", the
second of her two films with him. Previously, she was in "Girl
Happy" with Elvis and leading lady Shelley Fabares. Mobley was was
born in Biloxi, Mississippi. She was crowned Miss Mississippi 1958
and went on to win the title of Miss America 1959.
She sang in the talent segment of the Miss America pageant, which
started her television career singing on variety shows.
She won a Golden Globe Award in 1965 for Most Promising Newcomer-
Female along with Mia Farrow and Celia Kaye.
She has since had
many roles in both film and television. Ms. Mobley currently suffers
from Crohn's Disease and is an advocate for related research funding.
She has also been active in the March of Dimes as well as other
charities that support children around the world.
Fran Jeffries played the sultry Aishah. Ms. Jeffries was born in San
Jose, California and became a recording artist and night club
performer while still in her teens. She performed in many
prestigious hotel venues and clubs and toured with Sammy Davis Jr.
and Bob Hope. Before becoming a solo act she was partnered with her
first husband, Argentine-born singer Dick Haymes. Years later, her
second husband, actor/director Richard Quine, featured her in films
such as "Sex and The Single Girl" and "Talent for Loving". She also
had a role in the film "The Pink Panther".
Michael Ansara played Prince Dragna. He was born in Syria of
American parents. The family moved to the United States when he was
two and eventually settled in California when he was ten. He
originally planned to pursue a career as a doctor, but became
involved in studying drama instead. He started appearing in films in
1944, playing in such movies as "The Robe", "The Ten
Commandments", "The Greatest Story Ever Told" and "The Sad Sack"
among many others. It was his role of the Indian chief Cochise in
the 1950's TV series "Broken Arrow" that first made him widely
known. He was married for some time to actress Barbara Eden, who,
early in their marriage, worked with Elvis in the film "Flaming
Star" and later became best known as the star of the "I Dream of
Jeannie" television series Ansara directed and appeared in episodes
of "I Dream of Jeannie". You might remember him as the Blue Djinn
who placed Jeannie in the bottle to begin with.
In recent years
he has had a role in three of the Star Trek film series,
Star
Trek: The Next Generation", "Star Trek: Deep Space Nine", and "Star
Trek: Voyager".
His is also the voice of Dr. Victor Fries/ Mr. Freeze in the
animated "Batman" series. |
