This January 12th, ClassicFlix has scheduled the Blu-ray release of Africa Screams (1949) and the DVD release of The Abbott and Costello Show - The Complete Series (1952-54).

Released in a Special Limited Edition six years ago and long out of print on Blu-ray (still available on DVD), this new Africa Screams release contains the same stunning, 4K image restoration by the 3-D Film Archive as on the prior release, but the image is now matched by equally superior restored sound sourced from recently discovered 35mm variable density nitrate track elements not available for the 2020 release.

The sole bonus features for this Blu-ray is an extremely rare clip of Abbott and Costello making their network TV debut performing “Who’s on First?” at President Truman’s pre-inaugural gala (Jan. 19, 1949). **See special note below.

Released in single season sets, which are also out of print, the gorgeous restorations (also by the 3-D Film Archive) of The Abbott and Costello Show will now be available on DVD in a complete series 7-disc set with the same bonus features and commentaries as on the prior, single-season releases. There are no plans to release the complete series on Blu-ray at this time.

See below for complete details on both releases.

**SPECIAL NOTE: In 2023, we switched from standard-sized, clear Blu-ray cases (without a logo), to wider cases (same width as DVDs) used by some other boutique labels. We'll likely elaborate on the subject in our next newsletter, but the main takeaway is the wider cases we've been using for the last 3 years are no longer available to us. As such, we are reverting back to the standard-sized, clear Blu-ray cases starting with this Africa Screams release and all future releases and re-presses.

Africa Screams looks stunning in this 4K restoration by the 3-D Film Archive from original 35mm nitrate film elements, and is matched by equally superior restored sound exclusive to this release sourced from recently discovered 35mm variable density nitrate track elements!

During the 1940s, the comedy team of Bud Abbott and Lou Costello were among Universal's top moneymakers, and, by the end of the decade, were allowed to make one independent film per year. Hot off the success of Abbott and Costello Meet Frankenstein, Bud and Lou teamed up with independent producer Edward Nassour to release Africa Screams—a hilarious jungle romp where the boys hightail it to the dark continent and encounter wild beasts, dangerous natives, and… an affectionate gorilla!

Department store clerks Buzz Johnson and Stanley Livington (Bud and Lou) are hired by treasure hunter Diana Emerson (Hillary Brooke, The Abbott and Costello Show) for an African expedition when it is believed Stanley has memorized a map that will lead her to a rare orangutan. It's all a cover, of course, as Diana is really after a secret trove of diamonds and is counting on Stanley’s memory to guide her to the treasure.

Frequent Bud and Lou collaborator Charles Barton directs Africa Screams which features an array of supporting players: real-life big-game hunter Frank "Bring 'em back alive" Buck, real-life circus owner/animal trainer Clyde Beatty, Shemp Howard (Three Stooges), Joe Besser (Shemp's eventual Stooges replacement and also an A&C TV show regular), as well as heavyweight boxing brothers Buddy and Max Baer.

New audio restoration by Ray Faiola, Chelsea Rialto Studios.

BONUS FEATURE:

• Rare Clip of Abbott and Costello making their network TV debut performing "Who’s on First?" at President Truman’s pre-Inaugural Gala (Jan. 19, 1949)

Painstakingly restored from original 35mm master elements by the 3-D Film Archive, in collaboration with the Library of Congress, ClassicFlix presents The Abbott and Costello Show – The Complete Series with all 52 episodes from the iconic series looking and sounding better than ever in this 7-disc set.

When Bud Abbott and Lou Costello became part of the permanent rotating group of weekly hosts on TV's The Colgate Comedy Hour, it revitalized their careers and led to the birth of The Abbott and Costello Show, a syndicated half-hour program that premiered in 1952. The premise of the show was disarmingly simple: Bud and Lou played themselves, a pair of unemployed actors living in a rooming house run by the apoplectic Sid Fields, also playing himself.

Season 1 finds Bud and Lou easing their way through life in a neighborhood where crooks and sharpies lay in wait around every corner, and women walk right up to Costello for no other reason than to slap his face ("How dare you look like someone I hate!"). New routines abound in the inaugural season, but many classics are also performed including "Who's on First?", "Dice", "7 x 13 = 28" and so many, many more.

In its second and final season, the show evolved from a freewheeling pastiche inspired by vintage burlesque bits to a plot-driven sitcom harkening back to vintage comedy shorts. Like Bud and Lou, Season 2 writers Clyde Bruckman and Jack Townley, veterans of two-reel comedy, had no qualms about recycling gags or plots if they were funny.

One of the most influential comedies in television history, The Abbott and Costello Show - The Complete Series is a must-have for fans of Bud and Lou and features many great regulars like Sid Fields, Hillary Brooke (as Lou's cultured girlfriend), Gordon Jones (as stupefyingly dumb "Mike the Cop"), Joe Besser (as "Stinky"), Joe Kirk (as "Mr. Bacciagalupe"), Bingo the Chimp, as well as many other well-known guest stars.

BONUS FEATURES: 

• Audio Commentaries on 12 episodes featuring Lou Antonicello, Paul Castiglia, Ray Faiola, Stu Fink, Shane Fleming, Gilbert Gottfried, Bob Greenberg, Jim Mulholland, Gerry Orlando, Ron Palumbo, Toby Roan, Lou Sabini, Frank Santopadre, Jack Theakston and Michael Townsend Wright
• Saving the Negatives - Featurette with Bob Furmanek
• Two complete episodes with original non-audience tracks and six partial episodes (Season 1)
• Bonus Content Reel