Some Classic Laughs From Abbott and Costello

“Africa Screams” (Image Entertainment, Side One, CLV-Extended Play; Side Two, CAV-Standard Play, 79 minutes, $34.95); “Buck Privates” (MCA, Side One, CLV; Side Two, CAV, $35.95).

Two of Abbott and Costello’s funniest films are given the deluxe restoration treatment by Image for this laser edition. The 1949 “Africa Screams” was mastered from the original nitrate camera negatives to its original length of 79 minutes. Side Two features behind-the-scenes facts and photos, never-before-seen outtakes including miscues and practical jokes during filming, more than 120 production stills and various promotional materials.

“Buck Privates” was the film that turned the successful radio comics into film stars. The Andrews Sisters were along for the ride with “I’ll Be With You in Apple Blossom Time,” among other chapter stops. Side Two includes the original theatrical trailer and a batch of lobby cards, posters and photographs.

“The Beatles in ‘A Hard Day’s Night’ ” (Criterion-Voyager Company, two discs, CAV, digital sound, 90 minutes, $74.94); “The Beatles in Help!” (Criterion-Voyager Company, two discs, the special CAV edition, digital sound, 92 minutes, $79.97).

The Criterion Collection’s state-of-the-art reproduction of these classic Beatles’ films comes with enough memorabilia to satisfy any fanatic. “A Hard Day’s Night” offers the complete 1964 black-and-white film with a digitally remastered sound track. Practically every scene is catalogued. And you also get the original theatrical trailer, director Richard Lester’s first film (“The Running, Jumping & Standing Still Film”) and a Lester short with Peter Sellers that reportedly sold the Beatles on him.

“Help!” was made from the original negative with a remastered digital sound track. A “Help! Scrapbook” includes the original theatrical trailer, behind-the-scenes footage and the movie’s premiere, more than 300 photos of the production and miscellaneous memorabilia including promotional materials, record covers and an open-ended radio interview. An extended-play version of the film is available at half the price, but without the special features lasers offer, why bother?