Behind the Bells Podcast
Merry Monday and Welcome to Behind the Bells! Come join Robert Nicholas, your expert film scholar, as he takes you on a one horse open sleigh ride into the world of Christmas movies. We'll go into a deep dive into your favorite holiday classics and what impact they had on the season.
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Almost Christmas: The Poseidon Adventure
04/01/2024
Almost Christmas: The Poseidon Adventure
"So what resolution should we make for the new year? It's to let God know that you have the guts and the will to do it alone." Now back after a needed hiatus, Robert went on a New Years Cruise for his honeymoon... realizing that it made sense for him to cover the Irwin Allen produced disaster movie, The Poseidon Adventure. Because the ugliest Christmas tree ends up saving lives, this counts as holiday-related. Of course, does this make it an "Almost Christmas" movie? Along with looking into the history of disaster movies and how Irwin Allen found the story, Robert also goes into his Honeymoon, comparing how cruising has changed since 1972, when The Poseidon Adventure was released. Music credit goes to Purple Planet and Incompetech Be sure to check out this week's Podcast shoutout, *Podcast is for educational purpose only. Copyright Disclaimer Under Section 107 of the Copyright Act 1976, allowance is made for "fair use" for purposes such as criticism, comment, news reporting, teaching, scholarship, and research. Fair use is a use permitted by copyright statute that might otherwise be infringing. Non-profit, educational or personal use tips the balance in favor of fair use.*
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Top 10 Favorite Christmas Movies
12/27/2023
Top 10 Favorite Christmas Movies
"Merry After Christmas!" After celebrating a wonderful December with his new wife, Robert has an amazing gift for everyone: A top 10 Favorite Christmas Movies List. It's an episode in the making that was challenging, but he picked the ones embody the most Christmas spirit and connect to his nostalgic past. He'll go from a famliy of Santas to family men trying to give the best Christmas he can to a WWI Christmas truce to those that ask the question "Is there a Santa Claus?". Its time that Robert counts down his absolute favorites. Music Credit to Purple Planet, Incompetech and Musicloops. *Podcast is for educational purpose only. Copyright Disclaimer Under Section 107 of the Copyright Act 1976, allowance is made for "fair use" for purposes such as criticism, comment, news reporting, teaching, scholarship, and research. Fair use is a use permitted by copyright statute that might otherwise be infringing. Non-profit, educational or personal use tips the balance in favor of fair use.*
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Back to the Future: Dickens of a Christmas
11/02/2023
Back to the Future: Dickens of a Christmas
"Jumping Jingle Bells!" In honor of Christmas Podcast Day, Robert is stepping into the Delorean to take the time jump to 1991. He does a little deep dive into the Back to the Future animated series and the Christmas episode that was produced, "Dickens of a Christmas". While the Back to the Future trilogy is Robert's all time favorite set of movies, the animated series is a mixed bag... and Dickens of a Christmas is not a better one. There's still a lot to take in from a story about Ebenezer Tannon getting a visit from a ghostly Marty on a hoverboard, Doc recusing his boys Jules and Verne from a Sykes-like figure, and taking the Delorean to Victorian England. Robert also explores the cartoon's history and how the same team from Bill and Ted's Excellent Adventures were tasked with briging another time travel series to life. Music Credit to Purple Planet, Incompetech and Musicloops. *Podcast is for educational purpose only. Copyright Disclaimer Under Section 107 of the Copyright Act 1976, allowance is made for "fair use" for purposes such as criticism, comment, news reporting, teaching, scholarship, and research. Fair use is a use permitted by copyright statute that might otherwise be infringing. Non-profit, educational or personal use tips the balance in favor of fair use.*
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Elf Part 2: Jon Favreau's Beginnings, Canada for New York, Killer Stop Motion and Beating the Other Family Films
09/25/2023
Elf Part 2: Jon Favreau's Beginnings, Canada for New York, Killer Stop Motion and Beating the Other Family Films
"The best way to spread Christmas cheer is to sing loud for all to hear" It took longer then he thought, but Robert's finally ready to dive back into the world of Elf. Along with continuing the adventures of the writer David Bernenbaum, he also goes into how Jon Favreau went from an actor to stepping behind the camera. Learn how a lot of the script got changed, how Will Ferrell tried to make it racier, how they used a mental asylum to film a majority of the movie, how Jon fought to keep his movie family friendly and how it would bat out ofther family movies like the Looney Tunes and The Cat in the Hat. He also goes into why Elf has remained timeless.
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Almost Christmas: Pee-Wee's Big Adventure
08/15/2023
Almost Christmas: Pee-Wee's Big Adventure
"I don't need to see it. I lived it" For Robert's first ever Almost Christmas special, he wanted to pay tribute to the late Paul Reubens by looking at his 80's classic, Pee-Wee's Big Adventure. The goal is to take the one moment of Christmas the movie has and see whether it comes close as a Christmas movie. But he also looks at some of his facorite moments from the movie and tells his stories of visiting the locations. Some include the Cabazon Dinosaurs and the Alamo. Robert also looks into Paul Reubens background, he he created Pee-Wee Herman and how the movie came to be. Music credit goes to Purple Planet, Musicloops and Gumroad Be sure to check out this weeks Podcast Shoutout, *Podcast is for educational purpose only. Copyright Disclaimer Under Section 107 of the Copyright Act 1976, allowance is made for "fair use" for purposes such as criticism, comment, news reporting, teaching, scholarship, and research. Fair use is a use permitted by copyright statute that might otherwise be infringing. Non-profit, educational or personal use tips the balance in favor of fair use.*
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Top 10 Christmas Movies for Summer
08/02/2023
Top 10 Christmas Movies for Summer
"And since we've no place to go, Let it snow! Let it snow! Let it snow!" It's Christmas in July... in August. Better later then never, but Robert wanted to address some of his future plans for new segements including "Almost Christmas" and "Christmas WHAT!?" while saying that Elf Part 2 will be coming Robert also wanted to give you some of his favorite Christmas movies that can be watched in Summer. He's got some blockbusters in store that may involve Batman, some gremlins, detectives, someone with Scissors and an Ice Cream Bunny. If you need to get cool... jump in the pool. But if you still wanna cool down more, watch some of these Christmas movies. Music credit goes to Purple Planet, Musicloops and GumRoad Be sure to check out this weeks Podcast Shoutout, *Podcast is for educational purpose only. Copyright Disclaimer Under Section 107 of the Copyright Act 1976, allowance is made for "fair use" for purposes such as criticism, comment, news reporting, teaching, scholarship, and research. Fair use is a use permitted by copyright statute that might otherwise be infringing. Non-profit, educational or personal use tips the balance in favor of fair use.*
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Elf (2003) Cozy Fireside Chat: Todd from Christmas Clatter
06/06/2023
Elf (2003) Cozy Fireside Chat: Todd from Christmas Clatter
"What's a Christmas-Gram? I want one!" Continuing with the look into Elf, Robert's joined by Todd Killian from Christmas Clatter to talk about the movie... along with some other Christmas movies... along with some other traditions related to Christmas... and having a more laidback conversation. The two os us talk about some of our favorite moments, how the third act is still the most random part of the movie and how much Elf has become both of our personal favorites. We also look into our personal favorite elves, some of our other Christmas classics and why the movie has had the impact it does with the public. Does Elf already have the same cult status as A Christmas Story or has it passed beyond that? Find out before Robert returns with the 2nd part of the Elf deep dive Music credited to Purple Planet, Musicloops Be sure to check out Christmas Clatter and all the fun that Todd puts out *Podcast is for educational purpose only. Copyright Disclaimer Under Section 107 of the Copyright Act 1976, allowance is made for "fair use" for purposes such as criticism, comment, news reporting, teaching, scholarship, and research. Fair use is a use permitted by copyright statute that might otherwise be infringing. Non-profit, educational or personal use tips the balance in favor of fair use.*
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Elf Part 1: Spaghetti Candy, Big Meets Ten Commandments, A Jewish Lover of Christmas and Nearly Chris Farley
05/22/2023
Elf Part 1: Spaghetti Candy, Big Meets Ten Commandments, A Jewish Lover of Christmas and Nearly Chris Farley
“I like to smile, smiling’s my favorite” Robert is back after a brief hiatus to explore the first major Christmas classic of the new millennium, Elf. Even though he’s gone back and forth on it, Robert does consider Elf a great Christmas movie which works thanks to Will Ferrell’s talent. Learn about how writer David Berenbaum was a movie obsessed Jewish child who also happened to love Christmas movies, how his brother Michael would work with Coppola and the Coen Brothers, how David’s loneliness in LA inspired him to write Elf and how the script nearly became both Jim Carey and Chris Farley vehicles. Music credited to Purple Planet, Musicloops *Podcast is for educational purpose only. Copyright Disclaimer Under Section 107 of the Copyright Act 1976, allowance is made for "fair use" for purposes such as criticism, comment, news reporting, teaching, scholarship, and research. Fair use is a use permitted by copyright statute that might otherwise be infringing. Non-profit, educational or personal use tips the balance in favor of fair use.*
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Top 10 Christmas Elves
03/15/2023
Top 10 Christmas Elves
"The best way to spread Christmas Cheer is singing loud to hear!" In anticipation for my next deep dive, Robert looks at his personal favorite Christmas elves in various movies and TV specials. While there are plenty of the traditional ones that live at the North Pole and make toys, some of the choices will branch outside the box. We've got techno-savy elves, spy-elves, space alien elves, scary elves and even one set of non-elves. Its an elfing list galore! Music credit goes to Purple Planet, Music Loops, Jungle Punks, GumRoad and Keys of Moon *Podcast is for educational purpose only. Copyright Disclaimer Under Section 107 of the Copyright Act 1976, allowance is made for "fair use" for purposes such as criticism, comment, news reporting, teaching, scholarship, and research. Fair use is a use permitted by copyright statute that might otherwise be infringing. Non-profit, educational or personal use tips the balance in favor of fair use.*
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Violent Night Featuring Totally Rad Christmas!
01/18/2023
Violent Night Featuring Totally Rad Christmas!
"Video game. Video game. Didn’t Anyone ask for a bat, a sword, or Molotov cocktails?" A new year means a new season of Behind the Bells. Today we're collaborating with Gerry from the Totally Rad Christmas! podcast to talk about last years suprise Christmas hit, Violent Night. The two of us podcasters talk about the movie thats part Die Hard, part The Santa Clause, part Bad Santa and even a little bit part The Ref, as Stranger Thing's Dave Harbour as Santa has to fend off theives as run by John Leguizamo and save Christmas. We really liked the movie and have a lot of fun talking about our favorite moments, favorite kills, speculate on who could play Mrs. Claus, and we even spitball our own casting had Violent Night been made in the 80s. Be sure to check out Totally Rad Christmas! as well!
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Cozy Fire Chat: Santa's Poet Amy
12/21/2022
Cozy Fire Chat: Santa's Poet Amy
Merry Teusday Everyone! On our newest cozy fire chat, we've got our first guest from the North Pole. We have Santa's Poet Amy who took time out of her busy schedule to have some fun with Robert. Sit an enjoy as the two talk about Christmas movies, their favorite portrayls of Santa, and of course, get to know Amy. Check out how she became a poet, how the North Pole became her calling and get challenged by Robert to some creative improv poems based on random Christmas topics.
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Miracle on 34th Street (1947) Part 2: Getting Macy's to Agree, Filming the Parade and Store, a Christmas Film in Summer and Santa Wins an Oscar
11/15/2022
Miracle on 34th Street (1947) Part 2: Getting Macy's to Agree, Filming the Parade and Store, a Christmas Film in Summer and Santa Wins an Oscar
"I Believe... it's silly but I believe" The holidays are upon us! And what a better way then finish our dive into Miracle on 34th Street. Now it's time to see how Fox managed to get Macys and Gimbels to agree to use their names for the movie. Learn how the movie's filming of the annual Thanksgiving parade would be the first time a lot of people around the world would see it. Also learn how Maureen O'Hara was forced by contract to do Miracle, how Natalie Wood was already a pro actress at age 8 and Edmund Gwen was so perfect for the part that many of the children actors believed he was Santa. We also look into how Fox insisted on a Summer release... and it's strategy would make it a bit hit. Music credited to Purple Planet, Musicloops.com
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10 Overlooked Nostalgic Halloween Songs
11/01/2022
10 Overlooked Nostalgic Halloween Songs
"Happy Happy Halloween, Halloween, Halloween, Happy Happy Halloween, Silver Shamrock" Happy Halloween... a day late and a Happy Christmas Podcasting Day! Today I'd thought I try something new and currate a different kind of list for some Halloween fun. I decided to look into the past and bring up some new songs for the season. So don't expect your Thrillers, Twilight Zone theme, Monster Mashes or whatever. Today were going from the Halloween series to Scooby Doo to the Muppets and even into the Grim Adventures of Billy & Mandy.
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Miracle on 34th Street (1947): Part 1: What is Santa, The Faith of Kindness, Valentine Davies and The Lone Ranger Becomes a Writer
10/03/2022
Miracle on 34th Street (1947): Part 1: What is Santa, The Faith of Kindness, Valentine Davies and The Lone Ranger Becomes a Writer
"Oh, Christmas Isn't Just A Day, It's A Frame Of Mind... And That's What's Been Changing. That's Why I'm Glad I'm Here, Maybe I Can Do Something About It." I'm back! And I've got an episode that demands the answer to the philosophical question; What is Santa Claus? The original Miracle on 34th Street holds up as a classic for a reason and answers this question. Learn as I go into my personal definition of Faith, Talk about the guy who came up with the idea, Valentine Davies, How he achieved his dream as a playwright, and how his college acting buddy, George Seaton went from voicing the Lone Ranger to working with the Marx Brothers and getting his break with "The Song of Bernadette"
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Miracle on 34th Street (1947) Cozy Fire Chat: Gerry from Totally Rad Christmas, Scott from Holly Jolly X'Masu, & Matt from North Pole Radio
08/15/2022
Miracle on 34th Street (1947) Cozy Fire Chat: Gerry from Totally Rad Christmas, Scott from Holly Jolly X'Masu, & Matt from North Pole Radio
Merry Monday everyone! Our next deep dive will cover the classic Miracle on 34th Street from 1947. But before we do, I thought it would be fun to try something new. This is the first cozy fire chat episode in which I'll be discussing the film with fellow podcasters and special guests. We give our thoughts, opinions, favorite, least favorite moments, quotes and whatever comes to mind. It's looser and more free form, though we'll return to our regular format next episode. Consider listening to these other great podcasts (and of course, I have to thank Gerry, Scott and Matt for taking the time to join me) Totally Rad Christmas! Holly Jolly X'Masu North Pole Radio And don't forget to follow our social media pages
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Aaahh!!! Real Monsters: Gone Shopping
07/11/2022
Aaahh!!! Real Monsters: Gone Shopping
"It reminds me of my mother. It's warm all over" (Yes, that was the most Christmas-line I could get from this episode) From the creators of Rugrats comes one show that pushed the furthest it could go with its dark imagry and groosout gags. Aaahh!! Real Monsters is an okay show with a less then steller Christmas in July Episode. Regardless, let's see how the husband/wife team from Klaskey/Csupo and a Soviet born animator teamed to create a series that blended the style of Yellow Submarine with a film noir.
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Santa Claus the Movie: Part 2: Salkinds Santa, Dudley Moore, Mcdonalds Toys and the Downfall
06/07/2022
Santa Claus the Movie: Part 2: Salkinds Santa, Dudley Moore, Mcdonalds Toys and the Downfall
"When you've got a hit like we have, Patch, the people don't wanna wait a whole year, they're dying for a sequel! A sequel. That's it. We'll bring it out on March 25, and we'll call it... Christmas II!" With the Superman series flatening, the Salkinds decide to produce the first major live action Santa Claus movie. Learn how Dudley Moore would become the star... despite not playing Santa and how his spirits were down once he was seeing what he was making. Also, hear how even with an expensive marketing campaign, this bomb ended the short Hollywood careers of the Salkinds.
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Rocko's Modern Life: Rocko's Modern Christmas
05/03/2022
Rocko's Modern Life: Rocko's Modern Christmas
"Christmas to me is forgetting their differences and coming together. Singing and laughing, celebrating the spirit of the season... you know, Christmas cheer" Now we're touching upon one of my favortie 90's cartoons! Let's talk about how Rocko's Modern Life perfectly blended animated surrealism and relatable scenarios to make the perfect Nicktoon. Oh and it's Christmas episode is also a nice result. Learn how Joe Murray, an aspiring animator got into making a Nicktoon and how much of the crew would move on to creating Spongebob, the spirital successor to Rocko.
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Santa Claus The Movie Part 1: A Very 80's Santa, History of the Salkinds, a Father/Son Rise and Superman's Success
04/11/2022
Santa Claus The Movie Part 1: A Very 80's Santa, History of the Salkinds, a Father/Son Rise and Superman's Success
"From this day on, now and forever, you will bring all our gifts to all the children in all the world and all this to be done on Christmas Eve" Santa Claus the Movie is what you'd call an 80's cult classic. It's a Christmas movie that most people don't like, but I find it a major guilty pleasure. Learn why I defend this movie, along with going into the history of the Salkind family, which involves Greta Garbo, a Japanese monster movie, the Three Musketeers and how the production of Superman would set in many of the ideas that would be reused on Santa Claus the Movie.
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Robert's Christmas Interviews: Natalie Bickel
03/21/2022
Robert's Christmas Interviews: Natalie Bickel
Merry Monday everyone! For our second interview, we have Natalie Bickel, who has published a new children's Christmas book, The Christmas Clue. We go into her personal Christmas history (which is where she was inspired to write her story) and she is also submitted to my infamous Christmas survey. It's much shorter, but just as fun! For more information on Natalie Bickel and her writing, visit her webpage and social media pages, And don't forget to follow our own social media pages
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Ren and Stimpy: Son of Stimpy and A Scooter for Yaksmas
03/09/2022
Ren and Stimpy: Son of Stimpy and A Scooter for Yaksmas
"Why Ren, don't you know? It's Yaksmas Eve, the shabbiest day of the year!" We've done some safe family shows from Nickelodeon... how about something more edgy? It's time to talk about the insanity that is Ren and Stimpy. We'll be looking into two episodes that were made during... different managements. And yes, we do talk about the controversey with it's creator John Kricfalusi, so just a trigger warning
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Rugrats & All Grown Up: The Santa Experience, Babies in Toyland and The Finster That Stole Christmas
02/08/2022
Rugrats & All Grown Up: The Santa Experience, Babies in Toyland and The Finster That Stole Christmas
"You know Tommy? You were right. Santa isn't such a bad guy after all." Continuing into doing some editorial episodes on Nickelodeon Christmas specials, it's time to look at the channels... former number one hit, Rugrats. One was made at the begining of the series and the other towards the end. Oh, and we'll also look at the All Grown Up special because... I'll probably never get another chance to talk about it.
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Krampus Part 2: Santa Claws, Christmas Movie Inspiration, Shooting in New Zealand and Competing with Star Wars
01/25/2022
Krampus Part 2: Santa Claws, Christmas Movie Inspiration, Shooting in New Zealand and Competing with Star Wars
"St Nicholas is not coming this year. Instead, a much darker, ancient spirit. His name is Krampus" It turns out that Michael Dougherty had wanted to do a scary Christmas movie for a while. Let's see how his research in Halloween's Pagen origins lead him to learn more about Krampus Learn about how Krampus shot in the same studios as Lord of the Rings, how they pulled off ALL the scenes in studio and why even competing with Star Wars didn't detract it from being a hit!
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Home Sweet Home Alone, Featuring Tis the Podcast, Christmas Conversations, & Feliz Christmas Merry Navidad
12/13/2021
Home Sweet Home Alone, Featuring Tis the Podcast, Christmas Conversations, & Feliz Christmas Merry Navidad
"I don't know why they are always trying to remake the classics. Never as good as the originals"
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Doug: Doug's Christmas Story (Nickelodeon) & Doug's Secret Christmas (Disney)
11/30/2021
Doug: Doug's Christmas Story (Nickelodeon) & Doug's Secret Christmas (Disney)
In our first editorial episode, rather then doing a deep dive, we'll be looking into my general thoughts and opinions on whatever I want. Today I'd thought we'd start with a nostalgic classic, Doug. Both the Nickelodeon and the Disney versions had their own Christmas specials, one better then the other. It's not what you'd think.
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Robert's Christmas Interviews: Ed Daly
11/22/2021
Robert's Christmas Interviews: Ed Daly
Merry Monday everyone! We've got something special for today! We have our first interview with Ed Daly, the author of the recently published ultimate guide on the season, "The Christmas Book". The first part has us talking about how he got the idea to write such a book, the research process and how he sold it.
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Krampus Part 1: Christmas Monsters, Shadow of St. Nicholas, Orgins of Krampus and Rise on the Internet
10/31/2021
Krampus Part 1: Christmas Monsters, Shadow of St. Nicholas, Orgins of Krampus and Rise on the Internet
"It's Christmas. Nothing Bad is going to happen on Christmas!"
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Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer Part 2: Beginning of Rankin Bass, Expanding the Song, Japanese Puppeteering, and TV Airing
09/20/2021
Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer Part 2: Beginning of Rankin Bass, Expanding the Song, Japanese Puppeteering, and TV Airing
"Rudolph, with your nose so bright, will you guide me sleigh tonight?"
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Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer Part 1: Stop Motion Animation, From a Department Store to the North Pole, Nazi-Hunting Songwriter and a Singing Cowboy
08/23/2021
Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer Part 1: Stop Motion Animation, From a Department Store to the North Pole, Nazi-Hunting Songwriter and a Singing Cowboy
"Whats the matter with misfits, thats where we fit in!"
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The Ref Part 2: Jerry Bruckheimer, From an A$$H0!E to Actor, Alternate Ending and Almost Cult Status
07/27/2021
The Ref Part 2: Jerry Bruckheimer, From an A$$H0!E to Actor, Alternate Ending and Almost Cult Status
"Hey! The only one who yells is me!"
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