Garv’s Pick of the Week: Africa Screams (ClassicFlix)
For the release week of June 23rd:
Garv’s Pick of the Week: Africa Screams [Blu-ray / ClassicFlix]: One of the lesser Abbott & Costello films gets a 4K restoration from the original 35mm elements. While the team made better films, this public domain title was in desperate need of a clean-up and has likely never looked better. The disc is also packed with a hearty package of extras, including a rare radio broadcast, a live TV skit, interviews, outtakes, a scan of a A&C 3-D comic book (with red/blue glasses for viewing), and much more. If you love the team, you’ll want this release. Plus, it is the only film that features supporting roles for both Stooge Shemp Howard and Joe Besser! The disc can be purchased directly at ClassicFlix.com.
Additional Titles of Interest —
Murder by Decree [Blu-ray / Kino Lorber]: Sherlock Holmes (Christopher Plummer) and Dr. Watson (James Mason) take on the Whitechapel “Jack the Ripper” murders in this 1979 film from director Bob Clark (Black Christmas, A Christmas Story). I plan to give this disc a spin and full review in upcoming weeks.
House of Wax 3-D [Blu-ray / Warner Archive]: The film that swung Vincent Price’s career toward horror cinema gets a re-release from the Warner Archive. Both the 3-D and standard 2-D versions of the film are included.
Hans Christian Andersen [Blu-ray / Warner Archive]: I always avoided this Danny Kaye film when I was a kid, because (like White Christmas) it isn’t one of the funny ones. However, the film has a good reputation, and it has a score by the great Frank Loesser (Guys and Dolls), so I should probably give it a try.
Portrait of a Lady on Fire [Blu-ray / Criterion]: One of the best films of 2019 gets the Criterion treatment.
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