Watch Africa Screams - 1949

Africa Screams is a 1949 American adventure comedy film, directed by Charles Barton and starring the popular comedy duo Abbott and Costello. The film also features legendary animal trainer Clyde Beatty and his animal actors. The movie follows the misadventures of a bumbling book salesman named Stanley Livington, played by Costello, and his friend and coworker Buzz Johnson, played by Abbott. The two of them stumble into an opportunity for adventure and wealth when they encounter famed animal collector Clyde Beatty, who is searching for a valuable gorilla named Oogah. Beatty believes that Oogah may be located in the dense jungles of Africa, and the duo is offered a chance to join his expedition to track down the elusive primate.

However, Abbott and Costello are not alone in their pursuit of Oogah, as a group of diamond hunters is on the same trail, led by the ruthless Harry Flack, played by Joe Besser. Using their wits, Stanley and Buzz manage to join Beatty's team, but they soon find themselves in over their heads, navigating the treacherous and hostile wilderness of Africa.

This sets the stage for a hilarious series of misadventures, where Abbott and Costello's signature comedy style is put to good use. They bumble their way through encounters with wild animals, tribal villages, dangerous rapids, and even a group of unscrupulous ivory hunters. Throughout the journey, they are aided by the resourceful Beatty, who serves as a mentor and guiding force for the hapless duo.

However, the situation becomes increasingly dire as Flack and his men close in on the gorilla, and Stanley and Buzz find themselves in a race against time to outsmart the diamond hunters and capture Oogah first. The climax of the film is a thrilling chase through the jungle, with all the major characters converging on the same location for an epic showdown.

Despite the simple premise and slapstick humor, Africa Screams is a well-made film that features some impressive location shooting in Africa. The film also showcases the talent of Clyde Beatty, who was a genuine animal trainer and performer, and incorporated real animals into the action scenes of the movie. The chemistry between Abbott and Costello is on full display here, as they deliver some of their most memorable lines and routines.

Overall, Africa Screams is an entertaining and lighthearted adventure movie that is a perfect showcase for Abbott and Costello's comedic talents. The film is notable for its still-impressive location photography and real animal performances, as well as a fun cast of supporting characters. Fans of classic comedy and adventure films will not want to miss this enjoyable and charming gem from the golden age of Hollywood.

Africa Screams - 1949 is a 1949 comedy with a runtime of 1 hour and 19 minutes. It has received moderate reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 6.0.