Singer and movie star Johnny Tyronne (Elvis Presley) is promoting his newest film in the Middle East when he is kidnapped by a bumbling group of would-be assassins. They have mistaken Johnny's swashbuckling screen persona for the real thing and want him to use his powerful karate skills to kill their king. With the help of thief Zacha (Jay Novello) and his dwarf pal, Baba (Billy Barty), Johnny attempts to escape his captors while also wooing the beautiful Princess Shalimar (Mary Ann Mobley).