Lost in a Harem (1944)

59% of users liked it
(128 ratings)

Lost in a Harem is arguably the best of Abbott & Costello's trio of MGM films; it's certainly the silliest, with any number of nonsensical plot twists and sidesplitting gags. This time, Bud Abbott and Lou Costello play Pete and Harvey, two American magicians stranded in a mythical Arabian Nights… More Lost in a Harem is arguably the best of Abbott & Costello's trio of MGM films; it's certainly the silliest, with any number of nonsensical plot twists and sidesplitting gags. This time, Bud Abbott and Lou Costello play Pete and Harvey, two American magicians stranded in a mythical Arabian Nights kingdom with songstress Hazel Moon (Marilyn Maxwell). Our heroes and heroine become involved with the trials and tribulations of Prince Ramo (John Conte), who hopes to rightfully reclaim his throne from his evil usurping uncle Nimativ (Douglas Dumbrille). Alas, the villain is armed with a pair of hypnotic rings with which he forces everyone to do his bidding: his most anti-social act is to kidnap and hypnotize the entire Jimmy Dorsey Orchestra! Pete, Harvey, Ramo and Hazel risk death at every turn to thwart Nimativ, encountering a giant guard (Lock Martin, later to play the robot Gort in The Day the Earth Stood Still), a gibbering lunatic (Murray Leonard) and a bevy of harem beauties along the way. The film's sets and costumes, as well as the more elaborate musical numbers, are "borrowed" from the recently completed MGM superproduction Kismet. While the plot is for the birds, Lost in a Harem is saved by the fast-and-furious antics of Abbott and Costello. And as a bonus, this is the film in which Bud and Lou, accompanied by Murray Leonard, perform those deathless burlesque classics "Slowly I Turned" and "Mike's Place." ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

Rating, Runtime: Unrated, 1 hr. 29 min.
Directed By: Charles Reisner
Genres: Classics, Comedy

In Theaters: Nov 8, 1944 Wide
On DVD: Nov 21, 2006

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Featured Audience Ratings

AJ V

Sometimes funny, mostly boring, and an awfully too silly movie, it's kind of sloppy.

Cast

            Bud Abbott as Peter Johnson

            Lou Costello as Harvey Garvey

            Marilyn Maxwell as Hazel Moon

            John Conte as Prince Ramo

            Douglas Dumbrille as Nimativ

            Lottie Harrison as Teema

            Murray Leonard as The Derelict

            Adia Kuznetzoff as Chief Ghamu

            Milton Parsons as Crystal Gazer

            Ralph Sanford as Mr. Ormulu

            Richard Alexander as Executioner

            Karin [Katharine] Booth as Beautiful Girl

            Charles "Heinie" Conklin
            
            Harry Cording as Police Chief

            Jimmy Dorsey as Himself

            Eddie Dunn as Sentry

            Jo Gilbert as Native Laundry Woman

            Tom Herbert as Drunk

            Tor Johnson as Majordomo

            Paul Newlan as Guard

            Frank Penny as Bearded Vendor

            Frances Ramsden
            
            Sondra Rodgers as Zaida Maid

            Frank J. Scannell as Fruit Vendor

            Sammy Stein as Native Jailor

            Nick Thompson as Native

            Bud Wolfe
            
            Duke York as Jailor

            Carey Loftin as Chase Guard

            Jan Bryant
            
            Margaret Kelly
            
            Eddie Abdo as Native

            Elinor Troy
            
            Symona Boniface as Slave Girl
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