Africa Screams

Description

AFRICA SCREAMS Abbott & Costello on the Silliest Safari Ever! America's favorite dim-witted duo hits the jungle trail in this journey into hilarity from director Charles Barton, whose nine films with Bud and Lou include the classic Abbott and Costello Meet Frankenstein. Bookseller Buzz Johnson (Bud Abbott) persuades the lovely but villainous Diana Emerson (Hillary Brooke) that Stanley Livington (Lou Costello), who's even afraid of a housecat, is a wild game hunter. Diana claims she wants to capture a rare orangutan, but she's really searching for diamonds, and she doesn't mind subjecting the boys to lions, hungry cannibals, and even a giant ape to get them. Featuring real-life animal experts Clyde Beatty and Frank "Bring `Em Back Alive" Buck as themselves, plus two of the immortal Three Stooges (Shemp Howard and Joe Besser), this is the silliest safari ever! NASSOUR STUDIOS PRESENTS A HUNTINGTON HARTFORD PRODUCTION Directed by CHARLES BARTON Produced by EDWARD NASSOUR Original Story and Screenplay by EARL BALDWIN Cast BUD ABBOTT & LOU COSTELLO CLYDE BEATTY * FRANK BUCK * MAX BAER * BUDDY BAER HILLARY BROOKE * SHEMP HOWARD * JOE BESSER Approximately 79 minutes Black & White

Customer Reviews:

Foreign Adventure.......2007-07-16

The film starts with a comic scene in a bookstore. Two men offer $1,000 for a map in the book "Dark Safari". A woman offers $2,500 for the same map. Stanley Livington remembers that detail very well (too good to be true?). [The story and its subject are certainly dated.] Clyde Beatty plays himself. Shemp Howard plays another near-sighted character (like his role in a "Blondie" movie). There are plenty of gags to amuse the viewers. Buzz overhears Diana talking about the real purpose of the expedition - its not for a giant orangutan. Frank Buck plays himself. There are comic situations, most are still funny. There is a very comic scene with a lion skin and a real lion. Clyde Beatty does his lion taming act.

After this the boys find diamonds just laying on the ground. They follow the trail to where it leads. The natives have them over for dinner. A secret friend unties them. There is more intrigue and comic chases. More fun results from a failure to communicate. The natives are appalled by a giant gorilla, and flee. Buzz takes off down the river on a raft. What will happen to poor Stanley now?

Back in Manhattan Stanley is living large in a big building with his name on it. Then we see his partner and the cause of his wealth. [Is there a moral here?] This film is not as funny as earlier films.

On Safari with Bud and Lou!.......2007-01-06

Though it has been copied a million times, this fun romp through the jungle with Bud and Lou is sure to please classic film fans. Even Joe Besser and Shemp Howard come along on safari in Earl Baldwin's story of hidden diamonds.

When Lou turns out to be the only person who can remember the map outline in the out of stock novel, "Dark Safari," Buzz (Bud) passes him off as Stanley Livingston to swanky Diana Emerson (Hillary Brooke). Soon they are off on safari, Diana plotting to use Lou's knowledge of the map to find a fortune in diamonds. There's only one problem: the map Lou remembers is the one to Kloppers Department Store!

There are natives who want the fat little Lou for their black pot, lions and apes, and even Shemp Howard as Emerson's man, "Gunner," who's nearly blind, for distraction. Clyde Beatty and Frank Buck portray themselves as this fun film makes its way down the African river.

Great fun for late at night or a rainy day at home. Another gem from Bud and Lou.

The Image Entertainment/Hal Roach DVD is the BEST version of this title!.......2006-09-06

Many cheapie companies offer this title at a lower price. Pass up those horrible copies and buy this excellent IMAGE ENTERTAINMENT / HAL ROACH STUDIOS DVD mastered from the original 35mm NITRATE NEGATIVE!

This is the same excellent master film used by Image for their Laserdisc release. The only thing missing here is the Bloopers & Out-takes that were on the Laserdisc.

This movie is the best of the five independent films that Abbott & Costello made in my opinion. And it stands up better than most of their 1950's Universal films. Where else will you see Bud & Lou teamed up with some of the THREE STOOGES? Shemp Howerd and Joe Besser join Abbott & Costello's safari to add to the laughs!
Besser would later join Bud & Lou for their 1950's TV show as "Stinky" before becoming a Stooge!

5 stars in hopes for non PUBLIC DOMAIN or best qulity dvd ever released.......2006-05-11

if this is a bad print then why they release it again every one knows that all the other releases are bad prints so then they would know they wouldnt make much money which is why I think this print will be the best quality dvd of africa Scraems ever released. They should also release jack and the beanstalk to but with a good quality print.if this dvd good enough its a Low chance but it may push the other compinies to put out the abbott and costello films that are not avaivble on Dvd yet.

Truly Brilliant.......2005-05-05

It's hard to know if the director makes the Abbott and Costello films work, or the timing of Bud and Lou.
If you can see the Shows Bud and Lou did on the COLGATE Comedy Hour, its clear that Lou is a brilliant Improvisor, so whilst he did seem to forget his lines on the Colgate Comedy show, he created a quick stock of lines to get back on beat. Very few teams did this kind of solid work.
As a side note, CALL ME BWANA seems to have some similarities to AFRICA SCREAMS, or is it the other way around? :-)

Anyways, sketch style of humour is held together by a totally fun story, and some great actors, comic and regular. Shemp Howard does indeed do a great job in this film, and even the actor who replaced Shemp post 1955, makes a good job of his brief appearance ( his voice seems to be the basis for much animation in the 60s as well).
Like most of the Abbott and Costello stock, this film depends on their style, and the story works around them ( I guess), but Lou is, as usual, the centre of attention, but depends on Bud's straight man delivery for the scenes to work. And work they do.

Immaculately timed, and well delivered, this is one of many excellent films by a great team.

ENJOY

Average customer rating:

"Africa Screams (1949) ... Abbott & Costello ... Legend Films (2006)"
A Great Movie To Share Between Generations

Africa Screams
Starring: Bud Abbott , Buddy Baer , Joe Besser , Hillary Brooke , and Frank Buck
Director: Charles Barton
Manufacturer: Genius Entertainment
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

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ASIN: B000FDE5QW
Release Date: 2006-03-01

Customer Reviews:

"Africa Screams (1949) ... Abbott & Costello ... Legend Films (2006)".......2007-08-12

Legend Films present "ABBOTT & COSTELLO IN AFRICA SCREAMS" (released: 27 May 1949) (79 mins) (Fully Restored/Dolby Digitally Remastered) --- now in COLOR and Glorious Black and White --- Under Charles Barton (Director), Edward Nassour (Producer), Earl W. Baldwin (Screenwriter), Charles Van Enger (Cinematographer), Walter Schumann (Composer (Music Score), Frank Gross (Editor), Lewis H. Creber (Production Designer), Ray Robinson (Set Designer), Robert Pritchard (Sound/Sound Designer), Carl Lee (Special Effects), Joseph E. Kenny (First Assistant Director ) - - - - our story line and plot has Bud and Lou as they become part of an African expedition led by the scheming HillaryBrooke --- there are plenty of lions and other jungle beasts that get tangled up with our famous duo --- Frank Buck and Clyde Beatty also appear as themselves --- Brooke and the Baer brothers (Max & Buddy) as her henchmen, make their end of things work well, and there are also some good moments from Shemp Howard and Joe Besser --- But, Joe Beseer steals almost every scene in which he appears, take note of the scene where Beseer interrupts Abbot and Costello by running into a tent to get cup after cup of water , when the boys finally ask him why he needs so much water, he responds by telling them that his tent is on fire, a classic moment that gives the film one of the biggest chuckles --- Abbott & Costello, who are in fine form brings side splitting laughter to all their fans.

the cast includes:
Bud Abbott ... Buzz Johnson
Lou Costello ... Stanley Livington
Clyde Beatty ... Himself
Frank Buck ... Himself
Max Baer ... Grappler McCoy
Buddy Baer ... Boots Wilson
Hillary Brooke ... Diana Emerson
Shemp Howard ... Gunner
Joe Besser ... Harry
Burt Wenland ... Bobo (as Burton Wenland)

BIOS:
1. Bud Abbott (aka: William Alexander Abbott)
Date of Birth: 2 October 1895 - Asbury Park, New Jersey
Date of Death: 24 April 1974 - Woodland Hills, Los Angeles, California

2. Lou Costello (aka: Louis Francis Cristillo)
Date of Birth: 6 March 1906 - Paterson, New Jersey
Date of Death: 3 March 1959 - East Los Angeles, California

Specal footnote, Abbott and Costello William (Bud) Abbott and Lou Costello (born Louis Francis Cristillo) were an American comedy duo whose work in radio, film and television made them one of the most popular teams in the history of comedy --- Thanks to the endurance of their most popular and influential routine, "Who's on First?" -- whose rapid-fire word play and comprehension confusion set the preponderant framework for most of their best-known routines -- the team is, as a result, featured in the Baseball Hall of Fame --- The two comedians first worked together in 1935 at the Eltinge Burlesque Theater on 42nd Street in New York --- the duo built an act by refining and reworking numerous routines from their former vaudeville and burlesque sketches into the long-familiar presence of Abbott as the devious straight man, and Costello as the stumbling, dimwitted laugh-getter.

Universal signed them to a long-term contract, and their second film, Buck Privates, (1941) secured them as box-office stars --- The duo made over 30 films between 1940 and 1956 --- Abbott and Costello's films were saving Universal, which the duo are believed to have pondered buying themselves at the height of their success --- They were among the most popular and highest-paid entertainers in the world during World War II --- Their other film successes included "Buck Privates" (1941), "Hold That Ghost" (1941), "Pardon My Sarong" (1942), "Buck Privates Come Home" (1947), "Abbott and Costello Meet Frankenstein" (1948) and "Abbott and Costello Meet the Invisible Man" (1951).

In 1942, Abbott and Costello were the top box office draw with a reported take of $10 million --- They would be a top ten box office attraction---helped in no small manner by their popular radio shows---until 1952. (From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia)

Hats off and thanks to Barry B. Sandrew Ph.D. (Founder, COO & CTO) and his Legend Films Staff --- looking forward to more high quality releases from the vintage era of the '20s, '30s & '40s --- order your copy now from Amazon where there are plenty of copies available on DVD --- if you enjoyed this title, why not check out Legend Films where they are experts in releasing long forgotten films and treasures to the collector --- all my heroes have been cowboys!

Total Time: 79 mins on DVD ~ Legend Films Video. ~ (3/01/2006)

A Great Movie To Share Between Generations.......2006-04-27

One of my favorite memories of growing up has always been watching old movies with my father. Dad was a big fan of Abbot & Costello, Laurel and Hardy and the Three Stooges. When we would watch these when I was young, I always enjoyed being with my dad, just because these movies would always make him laugh. They were the type of comedies that I was able to understand and enjoy as well, and they have been a shared bond between us ever since. Needless to say, I looked forward to sharing some of our favorites with my two young sons. Call me old fashioned, but I thought I might try to pass on the tradition.

Here's the problem with my boys: like all boys under the age of ten, they don't have much of an attention span. They are more than willing to watch a movie with their dad, but one of the things I've noticed that makes them lose interest very quickly is movies that are in Black and White. Now my sons are no film snobs, they are seven and five years old. Colorized movies often touch a nerve in the film community, but in my son's case, it's purely a matter of them knowing what they like. Black and white TV or Movies just aren't as common anymore, and to them, it sort of acts like a trigger that maybe they'd rather be watching something else.

I certainly believe they will gain an appreciation for black and white cinema as they age, I don't want to force it on them. Until then, I am thankful that colorized versions of movies that I enjoyed with my dad exist. This version of Africa Screams, by Legend Films, is a completely different animal than the low quality of colorization process that I grew up with as a kid. Though it may not be Abbot & Costello's most famous comedy, it is one of my kid's favorites, and I have enjoyed the repeat viewings of it that they have demanded. The plot finds Costello unwillingly traveling to Africa as a wide variety of different people pursue giant gorillas, stolen diamonds, and even Abbot & Costello themselves. There's a good deal of fun animal scenes, including an impressive one where Clyde Beatty tames three lions. (My five year old used to find this part scary, but now it's one of his favorite scenes.) Costello's antics and buffoonery never fail to amuse my kids; he's like a human embodiment of a cartoon character. Even thought we've watched the movie together at least five times, every time they laugh at something silly that the duo perpetrates, it makes me laugh as well.

So now I've been able to convince my boys that "old" movies can be funny and entertaining, and I hope to add to our library of colorized classics that we can watch together. The only problem is now their grandfather, my dad, who I grew up watching these movies with. He doesn't like the colorized versions! Dad remains a lovable curmudgeon, firmly planted in his own time. Fortunately for me and him, the disc also contains a great black and white version on the same disc. I feel that this can be used to gradually transition my kids, once they're ready, onto other favorite movies which are only available in black and white. The other night, once the kids had gone to bed, my dad and I sat up and watched the restored black and white version. I'm thankful that the same great movie can give me a chance to share something I enjoy with my kids and with my dad.

Average customer rating:

Foreign Adventure
On Safari with Bud and Lou!
The Image Entertainment/Hal Roach DVD is the BEST version of this title!
5 stars in hopes for non PUBLIC DOMAIN or best qulity dvd ever released
Truly Brilliant

Africa Screams
Starring: Bud Abbott , Lou Costello , Clyde Beatty , Frank Buck , and Max Baer
Director: Charles Barton
Manufacturer: Image Entertainment
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

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ASIN: B000EOTW8I
Release Date: 2006-05-23

Description

It's a laugh riot in the jungle when Buzz and Stanley (Bud Abbott and Lou Costello) end up on a wild diamond hunt. Rampaging lions, voracious cannibals, and great white hunters add to the mayhem that'll keep you in stitches!

Customer Reviews:

Foreign Adventure.......2007-07-16

On Safari with Bud and Lou!.......2007-01-06

The Image Entertainment/Hal Roach DVD is the BEST version of this title!.......2006-09-06

5 stars in hopes for non PUBLIC DOMAIN or best qulity dvd ever released.......2006-05-11

Truly Brilliant.......2005-05-05

Africa Screams - with Abbott & Costello (Digitally Remastered)

Average customer rating:

Best copy of this familiar title

Africa Screams - with Abbott & Costello (Digitally Remastered)

Manufacturer: Digiview Productions
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

DVDs Under $7.49 | Today's Deals in DVD | Special Features | DVD | Video
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ASIN: B0006JFR5I

Product Description

Digitally Remastered - Bud Abbott and Lou Costello are Back! This Time on the trail of a hidden diamond mine located in the deepest, darkest jungles of Africa. Along the way they bump into a giant gorilla, a canibal tribe and villanious expedition members whose real motives imperil the duo with hilarious results!

Customer Reviews:

Best copy of this familiar title.......2005-11-19

Wanna know how old I am? I'm so old that I remember a time when it was extremely difficult to see this Abbott & Costello movie. Now, like exposed breasts in Fort Lauderdale during Spring Break, it's everywhere I look. Of the countless editions available, this is one may be the best quality edition out there, which shouldn't be surprising since they cribbed it from Bob Furmanek's laserdic restoration. And thanks to some crafty digital editing, the copyright notice during the opening credits has been excised. This is one of those A&C movies that is essentially a 77-minute burlesque skit masquerading as a motion picture. Fans will be entertained, although non-converts will wonder what all the fuss is about.

Average customer rating:

unwatchable. total ripoff.
It was really...good!
Entertaining for the youth
If you like quality transfers Don't buy this
Abbot and Costello - Reallyu Had A Thing Going!

Africa Screams / Jack & the Beanstalk
Starring: Bud Abbott , Lou Costello , Clyde Beatty , Frank Buck , and Max Baer
Director: Charles Barton , and Jean Yarbrough
Manufacturer: Madacy Records
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

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ASIN: B00000IC7V
Release Date: 1999-11-09

Description

By the late Forties, Bud Abbott and Lou Costello were superstars. And sprinkled among their usual pictures for Universal were wildly original independent films that gave them more control and showed off the influence of their vaudville roots. Africa Screams and Jack and the Beanstalk offer perfect examples of these classics made outside the studio system. This DVD features pristine prints of both films in a package that will certainly entertain as it sparks nostalgia. In Africa Screams (1949), Bud & Lou find themselves on an African safari. And in one of their funniest films. Over the course of the picture, they encounter lions, a giant ape, uncut diamonds, a crocodile, crooks, cannibals and a great cast that includes Hillary Brooke and Joe Besser, who'd both end up in the Abbott & Costello TV show; lion-tamer Clyde Beatty; famed explorer Frank Buck; boxers Max and Buddy Baer; and Shemp Howard, who took time off from The Three Stooges to play a very near-sighted big game hunter. Jack And The Beanstalk (1952) gave Fifties audiences their first look at the boys in color. Managing to work Bud & Lou into a faithful musical adaptation of the fairy tale, the script places less emphasis on the team's burlesque origins and focuses more on their appeal to children. As Jack, Costello gets to show off his pantomime skills. And, naturally, Abbott is the butcher that cons Jack out of the cow.

Customer Reviews:

unwatchable. total ripoff........2006-08-08

if i could give this 0 stars, nothing could get this to play. the audio stunk. the video stunk even more. not worth any price. if anyone knows a way to get a version of this that is watchable, feel free to point it out in your review.

It was really...good!.......2005-01-31

Just before christmas of 2005, my husband started talking about Abbot and Costello movies. One movie he mentioned in paticular was "Jack and The Beanstalk". So I decided to search for the DVD on Amazon. I was so amazed to see how many Abbot and Costello movies and I thought of how my husband would like the selections because he's a movie buff...I am not. So I read the reviews and they made me somewhat nervous because they were VERY mixed. But one thing I found in commom is that those who reviewed said is that the movie transfer was poor.
Well, I watched the movie and I thought ir was GREAT! I hesitated when my husband asked me because I REALLY didn't want to watch some old boring film. It didn't take me long to laugh. Even our children enjoyed it. I said I would buy him more titles soon.
Don't worry about the film quality in the beginning because once you start watching, you'll laugh at the silliness of it all then it won't bother you.

Entertaining for the youth.......2003-10-03

Jack & The Beanstalk...an amusing film for an adult but really good for young children. Basically it's the story of an old woman who lived in a shoe, little boe peep and jack and the beanstalk. All of the kids fairy tales in this amusing movie. Africa Screams here would be the better picture for adults however. Africa Screams which features 2 of the Stooges third stooge(Joe Besser and Shemp Howard)Shemp's character is rather unamusing and Joe Besser's character is ok. But the stars that shine here as always are Bud Abbott & Lou Costello. Very funny picture and this 2 dvd combo is definitly a worthwhile purchase.

If you like quality transfers Don't buy this.......2003-07-18

I have just received my copy of Africa Screams/Jack and the Beanstalk and I'm seriously considering returning it. In this day of computer enhancements and digital restorations why does this transfer look like it was done by a blind, deft Saint Bernard. I have over three hundred DVD's to date in my collection and I have never seen a transfer this bad. It appears to have been copied from a third generation VHS tape originally recorded at SLP speed. The scratches, dropouts' lack of contrast and poor sound quality makes this DVD a waste of money. The color in Jack in the Beanstalk continually shifts and bleeds through each scene and the black and white sequences also shift from B&W to blue at scene changes. Add to that the same scratches and lack of picture quality as Africa Screams gives you two inexcusably bad copies for the price of one. I for one, will not purchase any more transfers from MADACY in Canada

Abbot and Costello - Reallyu Had A Thing Going!.......2002-07-03

Abbot and Costello were a comedy team for a long times until the fought more then they acted. As a result of the on-screen chemistry - many memorable moments in film history were created. (Who could forget Abbot and Costello Meet Frankenstein? A classic.)

This very cheep DVD features two of their funniest films and great for kids too. Africa Screams and Jack And The Beanstalk. Africa Screams is hysterical. It puts all the stereotypical impressions of the African Culture and mixes them with Abbot and Costello. What could be funnier?

Jack And The Beanstalk was cleverly written and involves music, magic harps and a lot of character performances all mixed in with the humor that is only Costello's brand. He plays Jack and boy do you realize what a mess the fantasy world would be in if he was actually there!

Product Description

From back cover, "This is a classic for Abbott and Costello fans. This hilarious slapstick comedy is set in the deep dense jungles of Africa, in which our heroes are on the hunt for diamonds. En route, they run i nto two original members of the Three Stooges, as the sparks fly."

Abbott & Costello Double Feature - Jack & the Beanstalk - Africa Screams

Average customer rating:

Abbott & Costello Double Feature - Jack & the Beanstalk - Africa Screams

Manufacturer: Family Value Collection
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

ASIN: B0009J2KP0

Product Description

Abbott & Costello banter about the pumpkin patch planting the seeds of comedy and the castle at the end of the beanstalk just brings more of the same. It may not be Jack & the Beanstalk the way you remember it, but it's plenty of fun. The second feature takes the team to deepest darkest Africa where they encounter lions, giant apes and a raging river. What do they find....? Diamonds!

Abbott & Costello: Africa Screams/Jack & the Beanstalk

Average customer rating:

unwatchable. total ripoff.
It was really...good!
Entertaining for the youth
If you like quality transfers Don't buy this
Abbot and Costello - Reallyu Had A Thing Going!

Abbott & Costello: Africa Screams/Jack & the Beanstalk
Starring: Bud Abbott , Lou Costello , Clyde Beatty , Frank Buck , and Max Baer
Director: Charles Barton , and Jean Yarbrough
Manufacturer: Madacy Records
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

General | Comedy | Genres | DVD | Video

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ASIN: B00000IC8F
Release Date: 2000-02-01

Customer Reviews:

unwatchable. total ripoff........2006-08-08

It was really...good!.......2005-01-31

Entertaining for the youth.......2003-10-03

If you like quality transfers Don't buy this.......2003-07-18

Abbot and Costello - Reallyu Had A Thing Going!.......2002-07-03

Customer Reviews:

Best BEANSTALK on DVD.......2005-12-04

This Abbott and Costello Double Feature from the Roan Group offers high-quality copies of AFRICA SCREAMS and JACK AND THE BEANSTALK, two ubiquitous "public domain" titles that can be found almost anywhere DVDs are sold. While it's superior to most copies in circulation, the Roan edition of AFRICA SCREAMS is not as crisp as some others. For example, the $1 disc from Digiview has noticeably sharper picture quality, particularly in an early sequence when Bud and Lou are outside Hillary Brooke's mansion at night. Curiously, both editions seem to have used the same source material for their DVD transfers, although the Digiview version cunningly edits out the copyright notice in the opening credits. (See my review for the Digiview release.)

That leaves JACK AND THE BEANSTALK, and if you've been searching for the best DVD copy currently available, this is it. (It seems to have been taken from the Image Entertainment laserdisc, which also featured some extras not included here.) The print used for this transfer was in excellent shape, and is a faithful representation of how the film was originally released in 1952: the opening and closing sequences are in sepiatone, and the "Super Cinecolor," though not as vibrant as Technicolor, is pleasing to the eye. (In most copies of JACK AND THE BEANSTALK, the color is washed out and dupey-looking.) It also has the original Warner Brothers opening logo and the closing-door "End" title that are missing from other DVD editions.

Both of these films were independently produced by the team. AFRICA SCREAMS is the funnier of the two, but neither can be ranked with their best efforts for Universal. (Although as a kid, JACK AND THE BEANSTALK was one of my favorite A&C pictures, and contains a number of still-amusing sequences.)

Since excellent-quality copies of AFRICA SCREAMS are available on other, cheaper discs, it would depend on how badly you want JACK AND THE BEANSTALK to pay the $19.98 list price for this edition. This is a title most collectors can live without. However, if you want to add it to your library, it is worth the extra expense to spare yourself having to sit through the generally mediocre copies available from other distributors. If you're planning to start collecting the team's films on DVD, I would suggest beginning with one of the first three BEST OF ABBOTT AND COSTELLO "Franchise Collection" volumes from Universal, which contain eight movies per two-disc set. You can generally find them for around $20 each...the same price as this Roan Group disc, which is best suited for completists.

BIG booooo for amazon.com.......2002-03-02

Due to the lack of description I thought this DVD might contain some of their TV work or something like that, oh boy was I wrong.

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