Booby Trap Podcast

Anatomy of a Murder (1959): Truth on Trial

Tue, 29 Oct 2024 19:40:45 -0300

Truth on Trial: Dissecting Anatomy of a Murder

In the courtroom, everyone’s lying—it’s just a matter of degree.

A jazz score hums in the background. A defense lawyer sifts through half-truths and hidden motives. In Anatomy of a Murder (1959), the courtroom is less about justice and more about persuasion. We explore Otto Preminger’s daring approach to taboo subjects, the moral ambiguity of James Stewart’s lawyer, and how the film blurs the line between fact and fabrication—both for the jury and for us.

Film: Anatomy of a Murder (1959) was directed by Otto Preminger, this courtroom drama stars James Stewart as a lawyer defending a man accused of murder. The film is known for its realistic portrayal of the legal process and its compelling performances.
Wine Pairing: 2020 Director’s Cut Cabernet Sauvignon from Francis Ford Coppola Winery
Booby Trap: The term “booby trap” comes from the seabird called a booby (the most well-known is the blue-footed booby). The name “booby” comes from the Spanish word bobo (which means "stupid", "foolish", or "clown") because the booby is, like other seabirds, clumsy on land. They are also regarded as foolish for their apparent fearlessness of humans. Boobies were easily caught by hungry sailors who would set a trap for the docile seabird, so a "booby trap" was literally a trap for a booby.

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Suddenly (1954): Sniper’s Nest & Small-Town Shadows

Tue, 15 Apr 2025 22:59:20 -0300

Sniper’s Nest & Small-Town Shadows: Breaking Down Suddenly

When danger comes to Main Street, even the quietest towns can erupt in gunfire.

A sleepy California town. A presidential train stop. And a gunman with a perfect view. In this tense political thriller, Suddenly (1954) traps us in a living-room standoff where patriotism, power, and paranoia collide. Through narrative storytelling, we dissect Frank Sinatra’s chilling turn as an assassin and the anticipation of a booby trap builds to a nerve-fraying climax.

Film: Suddenly (1954) was directed by Lewis Allen and starring Frank Sinatra as John Baron, this film follows a ruthless assassin who takes a family hostage in a small California town with the intention of assassinating the President of the United States. Sterling Hayden plays Sheriff Tod Shaw, who tries to thwart the assassination plot. The film is known for its intense suspense and dramatic twists.
Wine Pairing: 2020 Seyval Blanc from Bogati Bodega & Winery.

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[Accessory Reel] Suddenly (1954)

Wed, 16 Apr 2025 22:06:00 -0300

[Accessory Reel] Suddenly (1954): Blanc, Bullets & Bad Intentions

In this Accessory Reel bonus track, Tata and Mamie pop open a chilled bottle of Seyval Blanc and settle in for the taut, ticking-clock tension of Suddenly (1954)—a film where small-town quiet shatters faster than a wineglass in a bar brawl.

As the plot unfolds and the gun barrels glint, they sip and spar over Frank Sinatra’s ice-cold assassin charm, discover new actors, and marvel at the booby trap ingenuity. Every swirl of their glass is matched with a swirl of speculation—about motives, methods, and whether anyone in town has heard of locking a door.

So pour yourself a Seyval Blanc, hit play, and let Tata and Mamie accessorize your suspense with crisp notes of wit, dry observations, and a finish that lingers longer than a sniper’s stare. Because in noir, as in wine, timing is everything.

Film: Suddenly (1954) was directed by Lewis Allen and starring Frank Sinatra as John Baron, this film follows a ruthless assassin who takes a family hostage in a small California town with the intention of assassinating the President of the United States. Sterling Hayden plays Sheriff Tod Shaw, who tries to thwart the assassination plot. The film is known for its intense suspense and dramatic twists.
Wine Pairing: 2020 Seyval Blanc from Bogati Bodega & Winery.

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The Lady Vanishes (1938): Vanish with a Vintner

Fri, 20 Jun 2025 08:57:38 -0300

Vanish with a Vintner: Traminette & the Lady in White

A floral white wine, a vanished passenger, and Hitchcock at his most delightfully deceptive.

All aboard for intrigue, illusion, and a glass of something delightfully aromatic. In this episode, we pair The Lady Vanishes (1938), Alfred Hitchcock's charming and suspenseful train-bound mystery, with a chilled glass of Traminette—a white wine as floral and mysterious as the plot itself. As secrets unravel and characters collide in this classic British thriller, we sip our way through the twists, turns, and teasings of a story where nothing is quite as it seems...except the perfect pairing.

Film: The Lady Vanishes (1938) film directed by Alfred Hitchcock, this film follows a young woman named Iris who discovers that an elderly lady has disappeared from a train traveling through Europe. As she investigates, she uncovers a complex conspiracy.
Wine Pairing: 2022 Mazzaroth Traminette

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[Accessory Reel] The Lady Vanishes (1938)

Sat, 21 Jun 2025 22:18:00 -0300

[Accessory Reel] The Lady Vanishes (1938): Tracks, Traminette & Twists

In this Accessory Reel bonus track, Tata and Mamie uncork a floral, slightly spicy Traminette and hop aboard Hitchcock’s most delightful mystery train, The Lady Vanishes (1938). As the countryside blurs past, they sip and sass their way through vanishing governesses, suspicious strangers, and enough tea to fuel a small British Empire.

Between gulps, they marvel at the witty flirting, debate the wisdom of trusting cricket-obsessed gentlemen, and point out every moment where a less selfishness might have solved the plot faster. Their commentary moves at express-train speed—part keen-eyed sleuthing, part wine-fueled derailment—as they toast to intrigue, espionage, and the fine art of eavesdropping in a dining car.

So pour yourself a glass of Traminette, press play, and let Tata and Mamie accessorize your ride with fragrant humor, floral notes of gossip, and just a hint of danger. After all, on this journey, the wine isn’t the only thing with a complex bouquet.

Film: The Lady Vanishes (1938) film directed by Alfred Hitchcock, this film follows a young woman named Iris who discovers that an elderly lady has disappeared from a train traveling through Europe. As she investigates, she uncovers a complex conspiracy.
Wine Pairing: 2022 Mazzaroth Traminette

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D.O.A. (1949): Poison Plots & Pour Decisions

Fri, 18 Jul 2025 19:09:59 -0300

Poison Plots & Pour Decisions: D.O.A. with a Bold Red Blend

One man’s dying day, one killer red—drink up the drama before time runs out.

What would you do if you discovered you’d been murdered... and had only hours to solve it? In this noir classic, D.O.A. (1949) delivers a time-ticking tale of betrayal, bureaucracy, and a very bad drink. We pair this fatal mystery with a bold red blend—dark, intense, and layered with intrigue. Join us as we unravel the poisoned puzzle, sip by suspenseful sip, and toast to fatal flaws and fateful pours. This episode is equal parts vintage cinema and velvety danger.

Film: D.O.A. (1949) was directed by Rudolph Maté and starring Edmond O’Brien as Frank Bigelow, this film follows a small-town accountant who discovers he has been fatally poisoned and has only a few days to live. The film follows Bigelow’s frantic quest to find out who poisoned him and why, leading him through a maze of deceit and danger. The film is renowned for its innovative narrative structure and intense suspense.
Wine Pairing: Black Tie Red Table Wine from WineTree Vineyards

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[Accessory Reel] D.O.A. (1949)

Sat, 19 Jul 2025 19:58:00 -0300

[Accessory Reel] D.O.A. (1949): A Killer Pour-formance

In this Accessory Reel bonus track, your favorite co-conspirators Tata and Mamie uncork a West Virginia red blend and spiral into the cinematic chaos that is D.O.A. (1949). As they sip, snark, and sleuth their way through poisoned protagonists, shady dames, and bureaucratic wild goose chases, they offer a wine-soaked, real-time commentary that’s equal parts film critique and felony-adjacent fun.

This isn’t your average watch-along. It’s a spirited (and somewhat inebriated) dive into noir logic gaps, glorious overacting, and the eternal mystery: why would you solve your own murder after you’ve already been murdered?

So pour a glass, press play, and let Tata and Mamie accessorize your evening with one part vino, two parts venom, and just a dash of vintage danger. After all, in film noir—and in fashion—it's all about the accessories.

Film: D.O.A. (1949) was directed by Rudolph Maté and starring Edmond O’Brien as Frank Bigelow, this film follows a small-town accountant who discovers he has been fatally poisoned and has only a few days to live. The film follows Bigelow’s frantic quest to find out who poisoned him and why, leading him through a maze of deceit and danger. The film is renowned for its innovative narrative structure and intense suspense.
Wine Pairing: Black Tie Red Table Wine from WineTree Vineyards

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Romance of the Redwoods (1917): Whispers Among Giants

Fri, 15 Aug 2025 07:54:30 -0300

Whispers Among Giants: Mission Angelica & Romance of the Redwoods

Where towering trees and tender tales meet in a glass of Mission Angelica.

Step into the enchanting world of Romance of the Redwoods (1917), a silent film that weaves love and mystery beneath the majestic canopy of California’s ancient redwoods. This episode pairs the timeless charm of the film with Mission Angelica, a wine as graceful and nuanced as the whispered secrets shared among the giants. Join us as we uncork history, romance, and the magic of the silent era—savoring every note of this woodland fairytale one sip at a time.

Film: Romance of the Redwoods (1917) a silent film directed by Cecil B. DeMille and staring Mary Pickford. The story follows a young girl named Jenny Lawrence who travels west to live with her uncle during the California Gold Rush, only to find that he has been killed and his identity assumed by an outlaw. The film is known for its picturesque setting in the redwood country of California and its blend of romance and adventure.
Wine Pairing: Mission Angelica by Glunz Family Winery & Cellars

Mamie's Rating: Tata's Rating:

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[Accessory Reel] A Romance of the Redwoods (1917)

Fri, 15 Aug 2025 09:53:38 -0300

[Accessory Reel] A Romance of the Redwoods (1917): Sips, Schemers & Silent Scandals

In this Accessory Reel bonus companion track, Tata and Mamie take a sentimental stroll into the silent shadows of A Romance of the Redwoods (1917), all while sipping Mission Angelica—the California classic as golden and sweet as Mary Pickford’s curls.

As the organ swells and the intertitles flutter, our duo dishes hot takes on shady strangers, frontier flirtations, and the delicate art of surviving a gold rush town with your virtue (and maybe your valuables) intact. With every sip, they decode vintage expressions, overanalyze meaningful glances, and speculate wildly about the drama—both onscreen and off.

So grab your glass of Mission Angelica and prepare to fall headfirst into a tale of danger, desire, and crime—all lovingly accessorized by Tata and Mamie’s signature sass. Because even in a silent film, accessories—and commentary—speak volumes.

Film: Romance of the Redwoods (1917) a silent film directed by Cecil B. DeMille and staring Mary Pickford. The story follows a young girl named Jenny Lawrence who travels west to live with her uncle during the California Gold Rush, only to find that he has been killed and his identity assumed by an outlaw. The film is known for its picturesque setting in the redwood country of California and its blend of romance and adventure.
Wine Pairing: Mission Angelica by Glunz Family Winery & Cellars

Mamie's Rating: Tata's Rating:

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[Accessory Reel] Arsenic & Old Lace (1944)

Fri, 31 Oct 2025 01:49:56 -0300

[Accessory Reel] Arsenic and Old Lace (1944) — Poison & Peculiar Aunts

Tata and Mamie pour a glass (no arsenic, promise) and cackle their way through this screwball murder-fest. As Cary Grant melts down and sweet little old ladies rack up a body count, they pair every sinister smile with a sip of Blueberry wine and ask the real questions: how many bodies is too many in the cellar?

Film: Arsenic and Old Lace (1944) a film directed by Frank Capra and staring Cary Grant. The story follows Mortimer Brewster, a Brooklyn writer of books on the futility of marriage, risks his reputation after he decides to tie the knot. Things grow complicated when he learns that his beloved maiden aunts Abby and Martha are serial murderers.
Wine Pairing: Blueberry wine by Cooper's Hawk Winery & Restaurant

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Arsenic & Old Lace (1944): Lace, Lies & Lethal Wine

Wed, 19 Nov 2025 21:40:38 -0400

Lace, Lies & Lethal Wine: Unpacking Arsenic and Old Lace

In a Brooklyn house of doilies and death, the sweetest ladies serve the deadliest brew.

On Halloween night, the Brewster house glows with jack-o’-lantern charm—but behind the lace curtains, a sinister kindness brews. In this episode, we descend into the darkly delightful chaos of Arsenic and Old Lace (1944), where murder wears a smile and madness is a family tradition.

Told in cinematic narrative, we unpack Frank Capra’s macabre comedy through the eyes of Mortimer Brewster, a writer who uncovers that his beloved aunts are serial killers—with manners. As bodies pile up in the cellar and long-lost brothers return with surgical tools and delusions of grandeur, the film blurs the line between sanity and showmanship, love and lunacy.

We explore Cary Grant’s iconic physical comedy, the play’s theatrical roots, and how the film show the film depicts female serial killers. Why do audiences laugh when bodies are buried in the basement? And how does the film use cozy tropes—afternoon tea, polite conversation, family dinners—to expose the absurdity of violence in plain sight?

Pour a cup (just… don’t drink it), and join us for a tale of deception, devotion, and dashes of arsenic—all told in velvet tones, with a deadly wink.

Film: Arsenic and Old Lace (1944) a film directed by Frank Capra and staring Cary Grant. The story follows Mortimer Brewster, a Brooklyn writer of books on the futility of marriage, risks his reputation after he decides to tie the knot. Things grow complicated when he learns that his beloved maiden aunts Abby and Martha are serial murderers.
Wine Pairing: Blueberry wine by Cooper's Hawk Winery & Restaurant

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To Catch a Thief (1955): Silk, Smoke & Stolen Jewels

Fri, 21 Nov 2025 10:42:11 -0400

To Catch a Thief (1955) Silk, Smoke & Stolen Jewels: The Allure of To Catch a Thief

On the Riviera, nothing glitters without a shadow—and even the cat has secrets.

The French Riviera shimmers beneath the summer sun. Champagne chills on marble terraces. And somewhere, a thief slips through open windows, leaving nothing but perfume and panic behind.

In this episode, we follow the elegant trail of Alfred Hitchcock’s To Catch a Thief (1955), a seductive blend of mystery, romance, and visual splendor. Told through cinematic storytelling, we step into the espadrilles of John Robie—the infamous “Cat”—as he evades suspicion, stalks a copycat criminal, and finds himself tangled in the jewels and games of a dazzling heiress, played with razor-edged charm by Grace Kelly.

We examine how Hitchcock turns the crime caper into a slow-burning tango of attraction, identity, and reinvention. From rooftop chases to masked balls, from stolen gems to whispered confessions, we unpack how To Catch a Thief plays with gender roles, postwar privilege, and the idea that sometimes, to escape your past... you have to steal a future.

Settle in with a glass of chilled blush or rose, and join us on the Riviera—where every shadow tells a story, and the quietest night hides the cleverest thief.

Film: To Catch a Thief (1955) a film directed by Alfred Hitchcock and staring Cary Grant and Grace Kelly. The story follows John Robie, a retired jewel thief, who sets out to prove his innocence after being suspected of returning to his former occupation.
Wine Pairing: 2022 Blush by Bogati Winery & Bodega

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[Accessory Reel] To Catch a Thief (1955)

Fri, 21 Nov 2025 10:59:57 -0400

[Accessory Reel] To Catch a Thief (1955) — Glamour, Grapes & Cat Burglars

With a chilled Blush wine in hand, Tata and Mamie bask in the Riviera sun, following Cary Grant’s debonair jewel thief and Grace Kelly’s flawless frocks. They sip, swoon, and sass through car chases and champagne, wondering aloud: is it possible to catch a thief… or just fall hopelessly for him?

Film: To Catch a Thief (1955) a film directed by Alfred Hitchcock and staring Cary Grant and Grace Kelly. The story follows John Robie, a retired jewel thief, who sets out to prove his innocence after being suspected of returning to his former occupation.
Wine Pairing: 2022 Blush by Bogati Winery & Bodega

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Suspicion (1941): Trust No One

Wed, 17 Dec 2025 00:15:00 -0400

Love, Lies & a Glass of Milk: Unpacking Suspicion

When romance turns to doubt, every smile hides a question—and every drink could be your last.

A handsome stranger. A whirlwind romance. And a marriage that begins to taste of poison.

In this episode, we step into Alfred Hitchcock’s Suspicion (1941), where Joan Fontaine’s Lina marries the charming but dangerously unpredictable Johnnie Aysgarth, played with suave menace by Cary Grant. Through immersive narrative, we trace Lina’s journey from infatuation to icy doubt, following every furtive glance, evasive answer, and shadowed corridor.

We examine Hitchcock’s mastery of psychological suspense—how he builds tension not from what we see, but from what we fear might be true. The iconic glass of milk, glowing like a beacon of dread, becomes a symbol for the film’s central question: can love survive when trust curdles?

With its Oscar-winning performance, romantic ambiguity, and infamous altered ending, Suspicion leaves us teetering between danger and desire—right up to the final frame.

So pour yourself a drink… but maybe think twice before you take that first sip.

Film: Suspicion (1941) a film directed by Alfred Hitchcock and staring Cary Grant and Joan Fontaine. The story follows a shy young heiress who marries a charming gentleman, and soon begins to suspect he is planning to murder her.
Wine Pairing: Tall Dark Stranger Malbec from Mendoza Argentina

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[Accessory Reel] Suspicion (1941)

Wed, 17 Dec 2025 00:30:00 -0400

[Accessory Reel] Suspicion (1941) — Red Flags & Red Wine

A ruby glass of Malbec sets the mood as Tata and Mamie dissect Joan Fontaine’s doubts and Cary Grant’s dangerously charming smile. With each pour, they speculate wildly about whether that glass of milk is deadly—or just badly lit—and debate why romance and paranoia pair so well together.

Film: Suspicion (1941) a film directed by Alfred Hitchcock and staring Cary Grant and Joan Fontaine. The story follows a shy young heiress who marries a charming gentleman, and soon begins to suspect he is planning to murder her.
Wine Pairing: Tall Dark Stranger Malbec

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His Girl Friday (1940): Fast Talk & Faster Hearts

Fri, 23 Jan 2026 00:30:00 -0400

Fast Talk & Faster Hearts: The Velocity of His Girl Friday

Love, deadlines, and double-crosses—no one delivers a story like Hildy Johnson.

The newsroom never sleeps, and neither do the hearts caught inside it. In His Girl Friday (1940), Cary Grant and Rosalind Russell go toe-to-toe in a battle of wits, deadlines, and romantic déjà vu. With overlapping dialogue sharper than a typewriter’s click, Howard Hawks turns journalism into verbal warfare—and love into negotiation. We narrate our way through the film’s breakneck pacing, gender role reversals, and the electric chemistry that defined a genre. It’s a story about chasing headlines, but discovering what’s really worth printing just might surprise you.

Film: His Girl Friday (1940) a film directed by Howard Hawks and staring Cary Grant. The story follows Walter Burns, newspaper editor, and his ace reporter ex-wife, who is about to quit her job and remarry. Burns buys himself time to win her back by promising her an exclusive interview with a death row convict.
Wine Pairing: 2021 Golden Turkey from Endhardt Vineyards

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[His Girl Friday (1940) Accessory Reel]

Fri, 23 Jan 2026 00:45:00 -0400

Breaking news from the loudest newsroom in classic cinema—our Accessory Reel for His Girl Friday is live, and it moves faster than a deadline with a body count.

This isn’t just witty banter—it’s a full-throttle verbal shootout. Cary Grant and Rosalind Russell fire dialogue like clues, alibis, and emotional misdirection, while the truth gets bent, twisted, and rushed to print.

In this reel, Tata and Mamie clock the lightning-fast dialogue, unpack newsroom manipulation at its finest, and celebrate Hildy Johnson—the reporter who refuses to be outplayed, outwritten, or outpaced.

Miss a line and you miss the motive. Blink and you lose the plot. Pour a glass, lean in, and keep up—because in His Girl Friday, love is leverage, journalism is a weapon, and the fastest talker usually wins.

Press play on the His Girl Friday Accessory Reel—where the ink is fresh, the wine is flowing, and you’ve officially been Booby Trapped.

Film: His Girl Friday (1940) a film directed by Howard Hawks and staring Cary Grant. The story follows Walter Burns, newspaper editor, and his ace reporter ex-wife, who is about to quit her job and remarry. Burns buys himself time to win her back by promising her an exclusive interview with a death row convict.
Wine Pairing: 2021 Golden Turkey from Endhardt Vineyards

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Bringing Up Baby (1938): Leopards, Laughter & Lunacy

Fri, 20 Feb 2026 00:30:00 -0400

Leopards, Laughter & Lunacy: Chasing Chaos in Bringing Up Baby

When love goes wild, even the smartest man can lose his marbles—and his dinosaur bone.

A paleontologist, a free-spirited heiress, and a leopard named Baby—what could possibly go wrong? In Howard Hawks’ Bringing Up Baby (1938), chaos is the language of love. We’ll step into a world where logic collapses under laughter, exploring how Katharine Hepburn’s screwball spontaneity and Cary Grant’s exasperated charm create one of Hollywood’s most delightfully deranged romances. Through vivid storytelling, we unpack the rhythm, timing, and class commentary that made this film a cornerstone of comic cinema—and a study in how losing control can sometimes be the surest way to find connection.

Film: Bringing Up Baby (1938) a film directed by Howard Hawks and staring Cary Grant. While trying to secure a $1 million donation for his museum, a befuddled paleontologist is pursued by a flighty and often irritating heiress and her pet leopard, Baby.
Wine Pairing: Sparkling Chardonnay-Pinot Noir Rose from Leopard’s Leap Family Vineyards located in South Africa.

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[Accessory Reel] Bringing Up Baby (1938)

Fri, 20 Feb 2026 00:45:00 -0400

Chaos has escaped its cage—our Accessory Reel for Bringing Up Baby is live, and it’s sprinting headfirst into mayhem with a leopard on the loose.

This isn’t just a romantic comedy—it’s a masterclass in controlled chaos. Cary Grant’s buttoned-up scientist collides with Katharine Hepburn’s unstoppable force of charm, impulse, and catastrophic optimism, where logic collapses and laughter commits repeat offenses.

In this reel, Tata and Mamie spotlight the escalating absurdity, the physical comedy that refuses to sit still, and the quiet brilliance beneath the madness—timing so precise it feels accidental, and performances so wild they somehow stay perfectly in step.

Blink and you’ll miss the pratfall. Look away and the plot has already run off with the dinosaur bone. Pour a glass, suspend reason, and embrace the beautiful disorder—because in Bringing Up Baby, dignity is optional, love is inevitable, and chaos always wins.

Press play on the Bringing Up Baby Accessory Reel—where the wine flows freely, logic takes a holiday, and you’ve officially been Booby Trapped.

Film: Bringing Up Baby (1938) a film directed by Howard Hawks and staring Cary Grant. While trying to secure a $1 million donation for his museum, a befuddled paleontologist is pursued by a flighty and often irritating heiress and her pet leopard, Baby.
Wine Pairing: Sparkling Chardonnay-Pinot Noir Rose from Leopard’s Leap Family Vineyards located in South Africa.

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