Africa Screams

Released May 4, 1949

1h 19m

Comedy

List

60%

Tomatometer

5 Reviews

38%

Audience Score

500+ Ratings

When the bookish and mild-mannered Stanley Livingston (Lou Costello) agrees to go along with a daft scheme thought up by his friend Buzz Johnson (Bud Abbott), the bumbling duo gets roped into an expedition to the jungles of Africa. With Stanley posing as a seasoned hunter, they accompany explorer Diana Emerson (Hillary Brooke) on a quest for a hidden diamond mine. However, numerous natives and wild animals come between the treasure-seeking party and their destination.

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Brian Costello

Common Sense Media

Classic comedy has some smoking, stereotyping.

Rated: 3/5

Jul 30, 2013

Full Review

Phil Hall

Film Threat

A bungle in the jungle.

Rated: 2/5

Jan 20, 2006

Full Review

Bob Bloom

Journal and Courier (Lafayette, IN)

And the continent probably would after viewing one of the weakest of the A&C comedies.

Rated: 1/5

Jun 12, 2004

Full Review

Jeffrey M. Anderson

San Francisco Examiner

Not a great Abott and Costello, but a favorite nonetheless.

Rated: 4/5

Feb 27, 2003

Full Review

Scott Weinberg

eFilmCritic.com

Not among their best, but full of more than enough laughs.

Rated: 3.5/5

Jul 26, 2002

Full Review

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Jeffrey M

Africa Screams was an amazing Abbot and Costello movie. This is my first Abbot and Costello movie, and I thought it was good. Africa Screams was a really funny comedy, and guess what? I LOVE comedy!! Even though Africa Screams only has about 60 audience ratings, the audience score is 38%, and that's too low. This movie doesn't deserve a 38%. Africa Screams was not bad, it was amazing. This movie is underrated for audience. Africa Screams needs higher ratings. What a good movie. I give this a 67%.

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

08/04/23

Full Review

Steve D

Quite a lot of fun for fans of the like.

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

06/28/23

Full Review

Audience Member

Not their best but average Abbott and Costello is still pretty good. I just hope the smoking scenes have not damaged me for life. Why wasn't I warned???!!!

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

02/16/23

Full Review

Audience Member

It is definitely worth the watch if you are into old-fashioned comedies from the earlier days of film. Abbott and Costello do a fine job giving many great laughs. But, like so many films from the early era the ending is a bit rushed and a somewhat of a letdown. Besides that, I found myself being fully entertained nearly all the way through. If you can stand watching black and white films and take the year it was made into perspective, I think you will surely appreciate this film.

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

02/02/23

Full Review

Audience Member

Mildly amusing Abbott & Costello comedy. The zaniness gets a bit much, but the duo is still quite fun to watch.

Rated 2.5 out of 5 stars

02/09/23

Full Review

Audience Member

A funny little vehicle with some great laughs and gags. The "Romance" between Costello and a gorilla is hilarious. The ending is both a shock and a gigantic punchline!

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

02/08/23

Full Review

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Charles Barton

Director

Bud Abbott

Buzz Johnson

Lou Costello

Stanley Livington

Hillary Brooke

Diana Emerson

Max Baer

Grappler McCoy

Clyde Beatty

Self

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Synopsis

When the bookish and mild-mannered Stanley Livingston (Lou Costello) agrees to go along with a daft scheme thought up by his friend Buzz Johnson (Bud Abbott), the bumbling duo gets roped into an expedition to the jungles of Africa. With Stanley posing as a seasoned hunter, they accompany explorer Diana Emerson (Hillary Brooke) on a quest for a hidden diamond mine. However, numerous natives and wild animals come between the treasure-seeking party and their destination.

Director: Charles Barton
Screenwriter: Earl Baldwin
Production Co: Nassour Studios Inc., Huntington Hartford Productions
Genre: Comedy
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): May 4, 1949, Limited
Release Date (Streaming): Oct 26, 2011
Runtime: 1h 19m

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