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Puppet Master (film series)

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Puppet Master
Region 1 (US) DVD box set containing the first seven installments.
Directed byCharles Band
David W. Allen
David DeCoteau
Jeff Burr
David Schmoeller
Ted Nicolaou
Sonny Laguna
Tommy Wiklund
John Lechago
Written byKenneth J. Hall
David Pabian
C. Courtney Joyner
David Schmoeller
Douglas Aarniokoski
Steven E. Carr
Jo Duffy
Todd Henschell
Benjamin Carr
David S. Goyer
Ted Nicolaou
Shane Bitterling
August White
S. Craig Zahler
Produced byCharles Band
Hope Perello
Gordon Gustafson
Kirk Edward Hansen
Vlad Paunescu
Dana Scanlan
Mona C. Vasiloiu
Kurt Iswarienko
Matt Wolpert
Alan Bursteen
Cary Glieberman
Music byRichard Band
Jeffrey Walton
John Massari
Peter Bernstein
Jerry Smith
Distributed byFull Moon Features
Release date
1989–present
Running time
1,220 minutes (15 films)
CountryUnited States
LanguageEnglish
Budget$4.23 million (combined total)

Puppet Master is an American horror film series which focuses on a group of anthropomorphic puppets animated by an Egyptian spell, each equipped with its own unique and dangerous device and are represented as heroes, antiheroes and antagonists. The franchise was created by Charles Band and Kenneth J. Hall. The series consists of 15 films, 11 mainline, one crossover film, a reboot and two spin-offs.

Produced by Full Moon Features, the series was established in 1989 with the eponymous first installment, which has since been followed by ten sequels, a crossover with the characters of Demonic Toys, a 2018 reboot entitled The Littlest Reich, a spin-off film about the puppet Blade, a spin-off film about Retro Puppet Master's Doktor Death, two comic book mini-series, an ongoing comic book series, and a free-to-play multiplayer video game by October Games.

Development

[edit]

Following the closure of his previous business venture, Empire Pictures, Charles Band relocated to the United States and founded Full Moon Productions. Band's goal with Full Moon was to create low-budget horror, science fiction and fantasy films that mirrored the quality of films with more generous budgets. After partnering with Paramount Pictures and Pioneer Home Entertainment, Full Moon began production on its first feature film, Puppet Master. Originally intended for a theatrical release in summer 1989, Puppet Master was ultimately pushed to a direct-to-video release on October 12, 1989, as Band felt he was likely to make more money this way than he would in the theatrical market.

Puppet Wars trilogy promotional poster artwork

The film proved to be successful, and would receive a sequel, Puppet Master II, in 1990, and a prequel, Puppet Master III: Toulon's Revenge, in 1991, the latter of which was the first installment to feature Guy Rolfe. Rolfe reprised the role of Toulon for three additional films. After his death in 2003, he posthumously appeared in The Legacy through extensive use of archival footage. In 1993 Full Moon began shooting another two sequels simultaneously, Puppet Master 4 and Puppet Master 5. The latter, as the title indicates, was intended to be the final installment of the series.

After the release of The Final Chapter in September 1994, Full Moon opted to retire Puppet Master and announced that a spin-off trilogy titled Puppet Wars would begin production in 1995.[1] The spin-off trilogy was cancelled, leaving the series to continue its legacy through merchandising and a growing cult following.

Due to demand from video retailers and fans for a new installment, four years after retirement, the franchise was revived by the production of a sixth entry, Curse of the Puppet Master, in 1998. This was the first installment not to have David W. Allen involved with stop-motion special effects. By this time, Paramount had ended its deal with Full Moon, so the film used a combination of rod and string puppets, as well as archival footage to conserve costs. In September 1999, Full Moon Features released Totem, featuring characters similar to the Totems of the fourth film.

Also in 1999, a second prequel (taking place at an even earlier time than Toulon's Revenge) was released, titled Retro Puppet Master. The original idea for the seventh installment was for it to take place following Toulon's Revenge, with Toulon and his puppets escaping Germany by train, after which they are confronted by Nazis and demons. This idea was abandoned because the distributor, the Kushner Locke Company, thought it would offend the German audience, although it later formed the basis for the ninth installment of the series, Puppet Master: Axis of Evil. Retro Puppet Master was an anomaly to the series, in that the main theme composed by Richard Band was completely absent, and with its PG-13 rating, this was the first installment not to be rated R by the Motion Picture Association of America. The films following this would all fall under not rated.

An eighth entry, entitled The Legacy, was released in 2003, however only a fraction contains original footage; the remainder is archival footage used to summarize the series thus far. The same year, a crossover film featuring the animated playthings of Full Moon's Puppet Master and Demonic Toys series aired on Sci-Fi Channel, although it was said it did not take place in the same continuity as either of those franchises.[2]

In 2005, Band alluded to a possible television series titled Puppet Wars (see left for promotional artwork) and expressed interest in seeing a video game adaptation of the franchise developed.[3] In June 2008, Band announced that a ninth installment of the series is planned, tentatively subtitled Axis of Evil.[4] In March 2009, it was reported that Band is also interested in remaking 1989's Puppet Master in 3-D.[5] Similarly, the original film was reissued by Razor Digital in 2007 in DualDisc format, featuring both standard and stereoscopic versions.

In June 2009, the Full Moon website posted updates about the latest installment, revealing the roster of puppets to be included, as well as principal cast members Levi Fiehler and Jerry Hoffman. Puppet Master: Axis of Evil was released on DVD, Blu-ray and streaming in 2010.

In 2012, Full Moon released the tenth installment, entitled Puppet Master X: Axis Rising, which continued the story and events from the previous film.

In 2017, Full Moon announced that Puppet Master: Axis Termination would debut exclusively on Full Moon Streaming in three parts starting in September 2017.

In 2018, a reboot was produced under the title Puppet Master: The Littlest Reich.

In 2020, a spin-off film revolving around the puppet Blade was released under the title Blade: The Iron Cross.

In 2022, a second spin-off film about Doktor Death (from Retro) was released as Puppet Master: Doktor Death.

In March 2023, a third spin-off centered around Leech Woman was announced with Puppet Master: Furnace Leech Woman.[6] The status of the film is currently unknown after a series of delays and conflicting back and forth messages from the director and Full Moon suggesting it may have been cancelled or postponed.[7]

Films

[edit]
Film U.S. release date Director(s) Screenwriter(s) Producer(s)
Puppet Master 1989 David Schmoeller Kenneth J. Hall
David Schmoeller (as Joseph G. Collodi) 		Charles Band
Hope Perello
Puppet Master II 1990 Dave Allen David Pabian Charles Band
Puppet Master III: Toulon's Revenge 1991 David DeCoteau C. Courtney Joyner
Puppet Master 4 1993 Jeff Burr Steven E. Carr
Todd Henschell
Keith S. Payson
Jo Duffy
Douglas Aarniokoski
Puppet Master 5 1994
Curse of the Puppet Master 1998 David DeCoteau (as Victoria Sloan) Benjamin Carr Charles Band
Gordon Gustafson
Kirk Edward Hansen
Retro Puppet Master 1999 David DeCoteau (as Joseph Tennent) Charles Band
Vlad Paunescu
Kirk Edward Hansen
Puppet Master: The Legacy 2003 Charles Band C. Courtney Joyner (as Gene Yarbrough) Charles Band
Puppet Master vs Demonic Toys 2004 Ted Nicolaou C. Courtney Joyner Alan Bursteen
Cary Glieberman
Puppet Master: Axis of Evil 2010 David DeCoteau August White Charles Band
Puppet Master X: Axis Rising 2012 Charles Band Shane Bitterling
Puppet Master: Axis Termination 2017 Roger Barron
Puppet Master: The Littlest Reich[7] 2018 Sonny Laguna
Tommy Wiklund 		S. Craig Zahler Charles Band
Lorenzo di Bonaventura
Mark Vahradian
Dallas Sonnier
Jack Heller
Blade: The Iron Cross 2020 John Lechago Roger Barron Charles Band
Puppet Master: Doktor Death 2022 Dave Parker James Quinn Charles Band
William Butler

Characters

[edit]
Main article: List of Puppet Master characters
Character Original Films Crossover Axis Films Reboot Spin-off
Puppet Master Puppet Master II Puppet Master III:
Toulon's Revenge 		Puppet Master 4 Puppet Master 5 Curse of the
Puppet Master 		Retro
Puppet Master 		Puppet Master:
The Legacy 		Puppet Master vs. Demonic Toys Puppet Master:
Axis of Evil 		Puppet Master X:
Axis Rising 		Puppet Master:
Axis Termination 		Puppet Master:
The Littlest Reich 		Blade:
The Iron Cross 		Puppet Master:
Doktor Death
1989 1990 1991 1993 1994 1998 1999 2003 2004 2010 2012 2017 2018 2020 2022
Blade Bert RosarioV
André Toulon William Hickey Steve Welles Guy Rolfe Guy Rolfe
Greg SesteroY 		Guy Rolfe
Greg SesteroYA 		William HickeyA Udo Kier Greg SesteroYA
Alex Whitaker Paul Le Mat Mentioned
Megan Gallagher Robin Frates
Dana Hadley Irene Miracle
Frank Forrester Matt Roe
Carissa Stamford Kathryn O'Reilly
Neil Gallagher Jimmie F. Skaggs
Carolyn Bramwel Elizabeth Maclellan
Elsa Toulon Sarah Douglas Brigitta Dau Brigitta DauA Mentioned
Michael Kenney Collin Bernsen
Patrick Bramwell Greg Webb
Wanda Charlie Spradling
Lance Jeff Weston
Camille Kenney Nita Talbot
Peter Hertz Aron Eisenberg
Major Kraus Richard Lynch
Dr.Hess Ian Abercrombie Ian AbercrombieA
Lieutenant Eric Stein Kristopher Logan
General Mueller Walter Gotell
Rick Meyers Gordon Currie Gordon CurrieA
Susie Chandra West Chandra WestA
Lauren Teresa Hill Teresa HillA
Cameron Phillips Jason Adams Jason AdamsA
Dr.Carl Baler Felton Perry
Dr.Leslie Piper Stacie Randall
Jennings Ian Ogilvy
Tom Hendy Nicholas Guest
Jason Willard Pugh
Scott Duane Whitaker
Dr. Magrew George Peck George PeckA
Robert Winsley Josh Green Josh GreenA
Jane Magrew Emily Harrison Emily HarrisonA
Robert 'Tank' Winsley Josh Green
Joey Carp Michael D. Guerin
Art Cooney Marc Newburger
Afzel Jack Donner Jack DonnerA
Eric Weiss Jacob Witkin
Peter HertzA
Robert Toulon Corey Feldman
Alexandra Toulon Danielle Keaton
Erica Sharpe Vanessa Angel
Jessica Ressell Silvia Šuvadová
Danny Coogan Levi Fiehler Kip Canyon
Beth Jenna Gallagher Jean Louise O'Sullivan
Ozu Ada Chao Fang Terumi Shimazu
Don Coogan Taylor M. Graham
Ben
Max 		Tom Sandoval
Uncle Len Jerry Hoffman
Elma Coogan Erica Shaffer
Kommandant Moebius Scott Anthony King
General Porter Paul Thomas Arnold
Sergeant Stone Brad Potts
Major Collins Kurt Sinclair
Elisa Ivanov Tania Fox Tania Fox
Edgar Easton Thomas Lennon
Ashley Summers Jenny Pellicer
Markowitz Nelson Franklin
Nerissa Charlyne Yi
Detective Brown Michael Pare
Detective Lieutenant Jonas "Joe" Gray Vincent Cusimano
Gloria Angelica Briones
Barney Griffin Blazi
Erich Hauser Roy Abramsohn
James D. Madison Todd Gajdusek
April Jenny Boswell
Ryan Chad Patterson
Jennifer Emily Sue Bengtson
Carmen Erin Eva Butcher
Gladys Melissa Moore
Dr. Lantmen Ashton Wolf

Puppets

[edit]
Puppet Puppet Master Puppet Master II Toulon's Revenge Puppet Master 4 Puppet Master 5 Curse of the Retro The Legacy vs. Demonic Toys Axis of Evil Axis Rising Axis Termination The Littlest Reich Blade: The Iron Cross Puppet Master: Doktor Death
Blade Green tickY Green tickY Green tickY Green tickY Green tickY Green tickY Green tickY Green tickY Green tickY Green tickY Green tickY Green tickY Green tickY Green tickY Red XN
Pinhead Green tickY Green tickY Green tickY Green tickY Green tickY Green tickY Green tickY Green tickY Green tickY Green tickY Green tickY Green tickY Green tickY Green tickY Red XN
Jester Green tickY Green tickY Green tickY Green tickY Green tickY Green tickY Green tickY Green tickY Green tickY Green tickY Green tickY Green tickY Red XN Red XN Red XN
Tunneler Green tickY Green tickY Green tickY Green tickY Green tickY Green tickY Green tickY Green tickY Red XN Green tickY Green tickY Green tickY Green tickY Green tickY Red XN
Six Shooter Red XN Red XN Green tickY Green tickY Green tickY Green tickY Green tickY Green tickY Green tickY Arms only Green tickY Green tickY Red XN Green tickY Red XN
Leech Woman Green tickY Green tickY Green tickY Red XN Red XN Green tickY Green tickY Archival Footage Red XN Green tickY Green tickY Green tickY Red XN Red XN Red XN
Torch Red XN Green tickY Red XN Poster only Green tickY Red XN Red XN Red XN Red XN Red XN Red XN Green tickY Red XN Red XN
Decapitron Red XN Red XN Red XN Green tickY Green tickY Red XN Red XN Red XN Red XN Red XN Red XN Red XN Red XN Red XN
Djinn Red XN Green tickY Green tickY Red XN Red XN Red XN Red XN Red XN Red XN Red XN Red XN Red XN Red XN Red XN
Gengie Green tickY Red XN Red XN Red XN Red XN Red XN Red XN Red XN Red XN Green tickY Red XN Red XN Red XN Red XN Red XN
Shreddar Khan Green tickY Red XN Red XN Red XN Red XN Red XN Red XN Red XN Red XN Green tickY Red XN Red XN Red XN Red XN Red XN
Mephisto Red XN Green tickY Green tickY Red XN Red XN Red XN Red XN Red XN Red XN Red XN Red XN Red XN Red XN Red XN Red XN
Dr. Death Red XN Red XN Red XN Red XN Red XN Red XN Green tickY Archival Footage Red XN Red XN Red XN Red XN Red XN Red XN Green tickY
Drill Sergeant Red XN Red XN Red XN Red XN Red XN Red XN Green tickY Red XN Red XN Head Only Red XN Red XN Red XN Red XN
Cyclops Red XN Red XN Red XN Red XN Red XN Red XN Green tickY Red XN Red XN Red XN Red XN Red XN Red XN Red XN
Retro-Blade Red XN Red XN Red XN Red XN Red XN Red XN Green tickY Red XN Red XN Red XN Red XN Red XN Red XN Red XN
Retro-Pinhead Red XN Red XN Red XN Red XN Red XN Red XN Green tickY Red XN Red XN Red XN Red XN Red XN Red XN Red XN
Retro-Six-Shooter Red XN Red XN Red XN Red XN Red XN Red XN Green tickY Red XN Red XN Red XN Red XN Red XN Red XN Red XN
Tank Red XN Red XN Red XN Red XN Red XN Green tickY Red XN Red XN Red XN Red XN Red XN Red XN Red XN Red XN
Matt/Mutant Red XN Red XN Red XN Red XN Red XN Green tickY Red XN Red XN Red XN Red XN Red XN Red XN Red XN Red XN Red XN
Ninja Red XN Red XN Red XN Red XN Red XN Red XN Red XN Red XN Red XN Green tickY Mentioned Red XN Red XN Red XN Red XN
Blitzkrieg Red XN Red XN Red XN Red XN Red XN Red XN Red XN Red XN Red XN Red XN Green tickY Green tickY Red XN Red XN Red XN
Bombshell Red XN Red XN Red XN Red XN Red XN Red XN Red XN Red XN Red XN Red XN Green tickY Green tickY Red XN Red XN Red XN
Kamikaze Red XN Red XN Red XN Red XN Red XN Red XN Red XN Red XN Red XN Red XN Green tickY Red XN Red XN Red XN Red XN
Weremacht Red XN Red XN Red XN Red XN Red XN Red XN Red XN Red XN Red XN Red XN Green tickY Green tickY Red XN Red XN Red XN
Happy Amphibian Red XN Red XN Red XN Red XN Red XN Red XN Red XN Red XN Red XN Red XN Red XN Red XN Green tickY Red XN Red XN

Reception

[edit]

The most well-received Puppet Master installments are generally those released before the series' four-year hiatus. As the series was revived at a time when Full Moon Features was no longer partnered with Paramount Pictures, the studio's finances grew increasingly tight, and as a result, the quality of each subsequent Puppet Master title (as well as numerous other Full Moon productions) suffered. On Rotten Tomatoes, the only two installments that have been rated by critics are Puppet Master, which has a 43% rating out of 7 reviews,[8] and Puppet Master II, which has a 33% rating out of 6 reviews.[9] The films have scored slightly higher with audiences, rating 51%[10] and 47%,[11] respectively.

Home media

[edit]

VHS

[edit]

Most Puppet Master films were originally released direct to video on VHS.

DVD

[edit]

The Puppet Master films have been released on DVD in very small quantities. A box set containing the first seven installments of the series was released by Full Moon (along with a bonus disc of trailers for other Full Moon films), but was recalled shortly after. However, in 2007, Full Moon Features reacquired the rights to the first five films, and the box set has since been reissued and is available directly from Full Moon, as well as through several online retailers. The first three films were included as part of an 18-disc Full Moon Features collection, and have since been individually released as a Spanish-subtitled import collection. In 2007, Razor Digital released an uncut DualDisc version of the first film, featuring both the standard and stereoscopic versions of the film, but with very poor picture quality. In 2012, Echo Bridge home entertainment released all 9 films in one DVD collection, while the first three films were licensed for a UK release by 88 Films.

Starting in 2010, the first Puppet Master was re-released on DVD with a new remastered widescreen transfer, while the second and third films were released with new transfers on September 18, 2012 (both individually or in a box set with the first film). The remastered editions of the fourth and fifth films were released on March 24, 2016, but only through a box set which is identical to Full Moon's original set with the bonus disc of trailers, except they also contain the remastered editions of the first 3 films (Curse of the Puppet Master and Retro Puppet Master still remain unrestored).[12]

Blu-ray

[edit]

The original Puppet Master film was released on Blu-ray in a remastered widescreen transfer on July 27, 2010.[13] On September 18, 2012, the first three films were released on Blu-ray in a set, the second and third films also remastered in widescreen.[14] The first 3 films have also been released on Blu-ray in the UK by 88 films.

The fourth installment was released on Blu-ray October 12, 2015, while the fifth installment was released on February 1, 2016.

In 2018, the, at the time, eleven official films in the series comprising Puppet Master through Puppet Master: Axis Termination were released as a limited edition Blu-ray set encased in a wood and metal box designed after the trunk belonging to the character of André Toulon. In addition to the films, the set contained an extra Blu-ray containing supplements related to the film series as well as a small figure of the puppet character Blade.[15]

In early 2020, a Blu-ray box set containing the same contents as the previous set, minus the special packaging and Blade figure, was released via Full Moon's retail website.[16]

Digital

[edit]

In December 2008, Charles Band authorized the first Puppet Master film for digital download through the iTunes Store; his first foray into the digital market.

For the first time in the series, Puppet Master: Axis Termination debuted digitally on Full Moon's Amazon channel in three parts beginning on September 15, 2017.[17]

Streaming

[edit]

As a part of Full Moon Features's Streaming App, the entire Puppet Master catalog was made available to stream[18] as well as the Full Moon Amazon Channel.[19]

Merchandising

[edit]
  • The Puppet Master Adventure - A four-issue comic book limited series written and drawn by Australian comic book creators Dave de Vries and Glenn Lumsden and printed by Eternity Comics. It was followed by a two-issue sequel titled Children of the Puppet Master also by de Vries and Lumsden.
  • The Puppet Master Action Figures - A series of action figures produced by Full Moon Toys, and scale replicas of the series' puppets, produced by Full Moon Playthings in 1998. The action figures have since been discontinued and are now collectors items.
  • The Puppet Master Model Kits- A series of model kits, of various puppets from the movie were released in 1991. Not all of the puppets were released in these scale model kits. Although they were discontinued, they have recently been re-released by Full Moon Direct.
  • The Puppet Master Trading Cards - a set of collectible cards of the Puppet Master characters. Also were limited edition stickers of each of the puppets face.
  • The Puppet Master Costumes - A set of Clothing and Halloween costumes of the series' puppets.
  • Puppet Master (Action Lab Comics) - An ongoing comic book series written by Shawn Gabborin and published by Action Lab Comics begun in 2015. The series was an instant hit among fans and is known for its attention to detail regarding the Puppet Master lore.
  • Puppet Master: The Game - A multiplayer horror video game made by October Games.

Video game

[edit]
Main article: Puppet Master: The Game

An official video game adaptation created by October Games has been in development as early as 2012.

In Baby Oopsie, exclusive gameplay was shown on a television screen whilst the end credits reveal the game had been officially licensed by Full Moon and was in active development.

In September 2021, Full Moon released a trailer for the game, early access for the game released in late 2022 on Steam.[20] the free-to-play game officially released on Steam on March 1, 2023.[21][22][23][24]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ Puppet Master 5 "Videozone" documentary
  2. ^ "September 28: First look at PUPPETMASTER VS. DEMONIC TOYS!". September 28, 2004. Archived from the original on 2004-10-13. Retrieved 2016-07-01.
  3. ^ "HILL'S CHARLES BAND INTERVIEW - Part 2". Puppet Master. Retrieved 2009-03-24.
  4. ^ "PUPPET MASTER: AXIS OF EVIL, DEMONIC TOYS 2, GINGERDEAD MAN 3? FULL MOON Sequel-Mania!". Icons of Fright. Retrieved 2009-03-24.
  5. ^ "Charles Band to Remake 'Puppetmaster' in 3-D". Bloody Disgusting. 9 March 2009. Retrieved 2009-03-23.
  6. ^ "Puppet Master: Furnace Leech Woman is the next entry in Full Moon franchise". Joblo.com. Retrieved 2023-03-15.
  7. ^ "Texas Frightmare Weekend Exclusive: "BONE TOMAHAWK", "1408" Producers Team For "PUPPET MASTER" Reboot!". Retrieved 4 January 2017.
  8. ^ "Puppet Master". Rotten Tomatoes. Retrieved 2009-03-23.
  9. ^ "Puppet Master 2: His Unholy Creations". Rotten Tomatoes. Retrieved 2009-03-23.
  10. ^ "Puppet Master". Rotten Tomatoes. Retrieved 2009-03-24.
  11. ^ "Puppet Master 2: His Unholy Creations". Rotten Tomatoes. Retrieved 2009-03-24.
  12. ^ "Puppet Master Remastered 8 DVD Box Set". Retrieved 4 January 2017.
  13. ^ "Puppet Master Blu-ray". Retrieved 4 January 2017.
  14. ^ "Welcome to FullMoonDirect - Horror, Sci-Fi and Fantasy Films". Retrieved 4 January 2017.
  15. ^ "The Ultimate Puppet Master Collectable Trunk". Full Moon Direct. Retrieved 15 September 2020.
  16. ^ "Puppet Master 12 Blu-ray Box Set". Full Moon Direct. Retrieved 15 September 2020.
  17. ^ "New Puppet Master Film to Premiere on Amazon". comingsoon.net. 25 August 2017. Retrieved 25 October 2017.
  18. ^ "Puppet Master Series". Full Moon Features. Retrieved 2021-12-30.
  19. ^ "Puppet Master Complete Collection". www.amazon.com. Retrieved 2021-12-29.
  20. ^ "October Games Announces Puppet Master The Game and New Full Moon Character in Horror Legends". DREAD XP. 2021-09-27. Retrieved 2021-09-27.
  21. ^ Wilson, Mike (December 13, 2022). "'Puppet Master: The Game' Open Beta Announced for March 2023, New Game Mode Revealed". Bloody Disgusting. Retrieved May 28, 2023.
  22. ^ Scott, Ryan (December 13, 2022). "PUPPET MASTER: THE GAME Arrives In 2023". Fangoria. Retrieved May 28, 2023.
  23. ^ Hamman, Cody (December 13, 2022). "Puppet Master video game gets an Open Beta release in March of 2023". JoBlo. Retrieved May 28, 2023.
  24. ^ Hamman, Cody (April 21, 2023). "Puppet Master video game Open Beta is free to play on Steam". JoBlo. Retrieved May 28, 2023.
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