Africa Screams Blu-ray Review

ClassicFlix, in collaboration with 3-D Archive, presents "Africa Screams" on Blu-ray with a stunning AVC encoded 1080p transfer in a 1.36:1 aspect ratio. The commendable restoration effort has utilized five reels of the surviving 35mm camera negative along with 35mm nitrate elements, resulting in a remarkably sharp and detailed black-and-white presentation that is virtually free from damage. The grain field is well-managed, offering a healthy and organic appearance throughout the film. Blacks are solid, and the grayscale is well-modulated, providing excellent contrast.

The restoration showcases intricate details in actors' faces, costuming, and set designs, bringing the visual experience to new heights. The grayscale handling allows for a remarkable range from bright whites to deep black tones. There are minor speckles and nicks, with occasional softness at the frame’s edges; however, these are trivial and do not detract from the overall quality. The 3-D content plays seamlessly on supported hardware, though an independent alert for the 3D availability is not always provided on all systems.

This release marks a significant upgrade from past home video versions, which were plagued by subpar quality due to the source material drifting into the public domain. ClassicFlix's restoration is a landmark achievement, making "Africa Screams" look practically brand new. This meticulous work grants enthusiasts the ability to enjoy Abbott & Costello's classic with unprecedented clarity and detail. The only minor imperfections—such as occasional mild flicker and slight wear on the opening credits—barely impact the viewing experience, enhancing a movie that many feared lost to time.

The Blu-ray presentation of "Africa Screams" showcases a meticulously restored DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0 Mono mix. This restoration significantly elevates the auditory experience, allowing the dialogue to be consistently clean and clearly presented without distortion or dropouts, delivering crystal clear clarity. While some jungle sound effects and music cues occasionally exhibit a slight boxy or thin quality—possibly attributable to their original library source—the overall soundscape remains robust and vibrant.

The English 2.0 mono DTS-HD MA track is narrowly focused as expected, but the dialogue remains discernible, and there is no noticeable damage or leftover hiss, cracks, or dropouts. The score, while not overwhelmingly boisterous, merges seamlessly within the mix, adding to the track’s natural spaciousness. The sound effects, particularly the stock animal sounds, retain a pleasingly natural whip-crack quality that enhances scenes like the lion-taming one delightfully. Despite some minor tinny aspects to certain effects, the overall audio quality is impressively clean without feeling over-processed.

This audio restoration delivers an unexpectedly high-quality experience for "Africa Screams," vastly improving upon prior versions with muddy or shrill audio that required excessive volume adjustment. It is refreshing to find such a beautifully managed mix, preserving the integrity of the original monaural sound while presenting it in its best possible form. This DTS-HD MA 2.0 mono track stands as a testament to the film’s technical enhancement—proving both a pleasure to listen to and a marked improvement from all previous releases.

The Blu-ray extras for "Africa Screams" from ClassicFlix are an impressive compilation that should delight Abbott and Costello fans. Expertly curated, the features include an in-depth audio commentary by historian Ron Palumbo, detailing everything from the cast's backgrounds to behind-the-scenes anecdotes. Key highlights include a restored 1953 TV sketch, rare radio shows featuring Bela Lugosi, and even a meticulously restored 3-D comic book viewable in both anaglyph and polarized formats. These extras not only enrich the viewing experience but also immerse fans in the rich legacy of Abbott and Costello. Additionally, a diverse array of image galleries, bloopers, and vintage trailers provide a vivid look into this classic film's production and promotional history.

Extras included in this disc:

• Audio Commentary: Insightful analysis by Abbott and Costello historian Ron Palumbo.
• The Rubdown Sketch: Restored TV sketch from 1953.
• Abbott and Costello Radio Show with Bela Lugosi: Original recording and final broadcast from 1948.
• Lou Costello Interview with Max Baer and Joe Louis: Post-fight interview from 1940.
• Clyde Beatty's Animal Thrills: Short film from 1943.
• Selected Outtakes/Bloopers: On-set productions.
• 3-D Comic Book: Anaglyphic and polarized viewing options.
• Image Galleries: Behind-the-scenes photos and promotional materials.
• Trailers: Including El Paso and Jack and the Beanstalk.

Africa Screams, an independent production by Bud Abbott and Lou Costello with Nassour Studios, provides a delightful showcase for the iconic duo's comedic talents. Set against the backdrop of an African jungle, the film revolves around department store clerks Buzz and Stanley, who embark on an adventure to uncover a valuable map. Lou Costello's portrayal of the timid book salesman Stanley Livington and Bud Abbott's scheming friend Buzz Johnson create a dynamic that brims with comic energy. Although the storyline is somewhat thin, relying heavily on the comedians' rapid-fire routines and physical gags, Africa Screams remains consistently entertaining. However, it's essential to note the film's culturally insensitive portrayals of African natives, which might be unsettling for contemporary audiences.

Director Charles Barton, who worked with the pair on previous projects such as The Noose Hangs High and Abbott and Costello Meet Frankenstein, manages to infuse the film with a sense of fun and spontaneity. The movie benefits from a supporting cast that includes Hillary Brooke as the manipulative Diana Emerson and real-life boxing siblings Max and Buddy Baer as her intimidating henchmen. Notably, Shemp Howard and Joe Besser, both of Three Stooges fame, make memorable appearances. This blend of talent creates a robust ensemble feel, ensuring that the film is more than just an Abbott and Costello showcase.

From a technical perspective, the Blu-ray release by 3-D Film Archive and Classic Flix represents a significant restoration achievement. Utilizing original 35mm nitrate film elements, the transfer is strikingly crisp and clear, delivering a visual clarity that far surpasses previous VHS editions. With additional features including a commentary by Ron Palumbo and anaglyph 3-D glasses for bonus content, this edition not only celebrates Africa Screams as a piece of comedy history but also underscores its place in the broader canon of vintage cinema. The remarkable restoration work makes this Blu-ray release an essential addition for enthusiasts of Abbott and Costello’s timeless comedy.

Africa Screams, featuring the legendary Abbott and Costello, stands out as a unique comedic adventure where the famed duo breaks away from their typical studio confines. This Blu-ray release by ClassicFlix, in collaboration with 3-D Film Archive, is a testament to exceptional restoration efforts, delivering unparalleled audio-visual quality. Fans are treated to a vibrant presentation that surpasses all previous home video formats. The film’s comedy is fresh and highly enjoyable, highlighting Lou more prominently, supported by an engaging and whimsical cast.

The supplemental features are extensive and meticulously curated. Highlights include an insightful audio commentary by Ron Palumbo, shedding light on Abbott and Costello’s history, Nassour Studios' background, and the intricacies of burlesque and vaudeville traditions. Extras contain a hilarious 1953 Rubdown Sketch from live TV, a 1948 radio episode with Bela Lugosi, and a 1940 interview with boxing legends Max Baer and Joe Louis by Lou Costello. Other gems include Clyde Beatty's Animal Thrillers short film from 1943, standard definition outtakes, a restored Abbott and Costello 3D comic book, and comprehensive image galleries. The inclusion of trailers for additional Nassour Studios Cinecolor films further enriches the package, giving a glimpse into what might have been had Africa Screams been shot in color.

While I’m assigning Africa Screams the same overall rating of 3.5 stars as Abbott and Costello’s previous independent film The Noose Hangs High, I find the comedic consistency in this film superior and more laugh-out-loud worthy. Despite some antiquated depictions, the physical comedy and wacky supporting cast truly shine. ClassicFlix and 3-D Film Archive offer commendable restoration and a delightful array of supplemental materials, making this Blu-ray release a must-have for fans. Highly recommended.