Note: this is a "vintage" tip for older computers and/or systems.
If Address Book "hangs" (spinning "beach ball") when trying to create a new smart list, etc the address book database might be corrupted. Try exporting the entries, then quitting Address Book, deleting the Address Book folder in the user library, in the Application Support folder. Run Address Book again and import the entries.
If the entries won't export they are probably lost because the database will need to be deleted anyway!
Important Note
I have tested that this tip works, but there are many possible ways it might cause problems because you have a different version of the system, a bad internet connection, and many other things. So I can take no responsibility if it causes problems. I'm sorry if it does, but that risk is yours!
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