Harum Scarum Blu-ray Review

Warner Archive has delivered an impressively attractive 1080p transfer of "Harum Scarum," sourced from a recent 4K scan of the original camera negative. This results in an extremely colorful presentation, with excellent saturation and fine detail that significantly outshines the storyline. The restored film's rich palette, stemming from its numerous recycled sets originally used in "King of Kings," is impressively maintained. The disc encoding is solid, with only minor traces of black crush and no apparent issues such as macro-blocking or posterization. Constantly running in the mid-30Mbps bitrate range, the transfer successfully showcases both close-ups and wide shots with equally high quality, reinforcing Warner Archive's reputation for providing dependable releases.

The Blu-ray faithfully adheres to the film's original 1.85:1 theatrical aspect ratio, utilizing the AVC codec for its 1080p presentation. The Metrocolor process is managed well, delivering sharp images throughout the movie with believable skin tones. However, there are occasional soft shots likely due to camera operator errors and some instances of shallow focus where one out of two individuals in a frame might appear sharper than the other. Divided into 25 chapters, the disc offers a visually engaging experience, marred only slightly by these infrequent issues—testaments to an otherwise meticulous restoration that brings the vibrant aesthetics of "Harum Scarum" vividly back to life.

The DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0 mix on the Blu-ray release of "Harum Scarum" is a commendable example of high-fidelity audio restoration, staying true to its one-channel source material while offering a clean and crisp dialogue. Despite occasional discrepancies in synchronization, especially noticeable in certain post-synched performances like Jay Novello's, the overall quality maintains a seamless blend. The foreground and background effects are well-balanced and rarely conflict, providing an immersive audio experience that seldom betrays its age.

A particularly impressive aspect is the treatment of the film's musical elements. Given its music-driven nature, the live performances and background scores boast excellent overall fidelity with a rich dynamic range. This meticulous restoration work pushes the boundaries of what one would expect from 60-year old films, making it one of the standout catalog titles in terms of sound quality. Optional English (SDH) subtitles are included, providing clear lyrics for all songs, thus enhancing accessibility for all viewers.

The Blu-Ray release of "Harum Scarum" offers a commendable selection of extras that enrich the viewing experience. The inclusion of vintage Tom and Jerry cartoons adds a nostalgic touch, though they might not be from the franchise's peak years, their quality restoration in high definition offers delightful viewing. Additionally, the theatrical trailer, despite its condition, provides a charmingly over-the-top promotional glimpse into the film's original marketing. The Song Selection feature offers convenient access to key musical pieces from the film, enhancing usability and viewer enjoyment.

Extras included in this disc:

• Animated Shorts: Two classic Tom and Jerry cartoons from 1965 and 1966.
• Theatrical Trailer: A vintage trailer that captures the film's essence.
• Song Selection Menu: Instant access to eleven musical moments in the movie.

Gene Nelson's Harum Scarum, although not highly regarded within Elvis Presley's filmography, offers a unique slice of mid-60s cinematic nostalgia. The film, which follows American movie star Johnny Tyronne (Presley) on a convoluted adventure in the Middle East, is characterized by an absurd plot inspired in part by the antics of "Tropic Thunder." Tyronne is taken hostage by Sinan (Theo Marcuse), a chief assassin who tasks him with assassinating King Toranshah (Philip Reed) using his karate skills. The involvement of various characters like Princess Shalimar (Mary Ann Mobley) and Prince Dragna (Michael Ansara) makes for a campy and haphazard storyline that, while lacking in depth and coherence, provides a certain guilty pleasure.

The attempts at portraying Middle Eastern culture are simplistic and often cringe-worthy by today's standards. Harum Scarum drifts somewhere between parody and pastiche, cranking up the cheese factor as Elvis serenades his way through numerous musical interludes – some of which are more memorable than others. The standout scenes include the opening musical number "Harum Holiday" and a charming duet with street urchin Vicki Malkin on "Hey, Little Girl." However, despite these fleeting moments of enjoyment, many of the film's songs are forgettable. Unsurprisingly, the production remains studio-bound, failing to authentically replicate Middle Eastern locales, but succeeding in providing an adventurous albeit fantastical escape.

Supporting performances range from earnest to over-the-top, with notable contributions from Jay Novello as the master thief Zacha, Billy Barty as the crafty scamp Baba, and Michael Ansara who delivers a solid portrayal of the conniving Prince Dragna. The cast’s collective effort creates an entertaining if not artistically profound experience. In conclusion, despite its narrative and cultural shortcomings, Harum Scarum’s lively spirit and nostalgic charm render it an enjoyable, campy watch.

Gene Nelson's "Harum Scarum" remains a polarizing entry in Elvis Presley's filmography, often ranking low among his cinematic endeavors. Despite its shortcomings, some argue its charm lies in its sheer campiness and over-the-top nature. The film, rife with questionable acting, flamboyant musical numbers, and an absurd storyline, transcends conventional critique by veering into so-bad-it's-good territory. This inadvertently transforms the viewing experience into something memorable for fans of cult cinema.

Warner Archive's Blu-ray release of "Harum Scarum" caters well to both devotees and curious newcomers. The high-definition transfer highlights the borrowed, yet impressively utilized, sets and vibrant costumes, enhancing the film's overall visual appeal. Additionally, the audio quality has been given due attention, preserving the clarity and vibrancy of Elvis's performance tracks. While the bonus features may not be exhaustive, they do offer some entertaining insights, adding value to the package.

In conclusion, "Harum Scarum" is far from being a quintessential Elvis film but finds its niche as a delightfully campy piece of entertainment. Warner Archive’s Blu-ray elevates the viewing experience with top-tier audio-visual execution and worthwhile extras. Recommended for those who appreciate the idiosyncratic allure of cinematic oddities.