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{{short description|Television specials of DC comic book characters}}
{{more citations needed|date=June 2014}}
{{more citations needed|date=June 2014}}
{{Infobox television
{{Infobox television
| show_name = Legends of the Superheroes
| image = Legends of the Superheroes title.jpg
| genre =
| image = Legends of the Superheroes title.jpg
| genre =
| creator =
| creator =
| developer =
| composer = [[Fred Werner (American composer)|Fred Werner]]
| developer =
| narrated = Gary Owens
| composer = Fred Werner
| country = United States
| country = United States
| language = English
| language = English
| num_episodes = 2
| num_episodes = 2
| executive_producer = [[Joseph Barbera]]
| executive_producer = [[Joseph Barbera]]
| director = [[Bill Carruthers]]<br>Chris Darley
| director = [[Bill Carruthers]]<br>Chris Darley
| producer = [[Bill Carruthers]]
| producer = [[Bill Carruthers]]
| cinematography = Greg Brunton
| cinematography = Greg Brunton
| editor = Harvey Berger<br>Andy Shubert
| editor = Harvey Berger<br>Andy Shubert
| runtime = 100 minutes
| runtime = 100 minutes
| company = [[Hanna-Barbera|Hanna-Barbera Productions]]
| company = [[Hanna-Barbera|Hanna-Barbera Productions]]<br>[[DC Comics]]
⚫
| network = [[National Broadcasting Company|NBC]]
| distributor = [[Warner Bros. Television Distribution]]
⚫
| first_aired = {{Start date|1979|1|18}}
⚫
| network = [[National Broadcasting Company|NBC]]
| first_aired = {{Start date|1979|1|18}}
| last_aired = {{End date|1979|1|25}}
⚫
| related = ''[[Super Friends]]''
⚫
| last_aired = {{End date|1979|1|25}}
⚫
| related = ''[[Super Friends]]''
}}
}}
'''''Legends of the Superheroes''''' is an umbrella title for two 60-minute [[Live action|live-action]] [[television special]]s produced by [[Hanna-Barbera|Hanna-Barbera Productions]] that aired on [[NBC]] on January 18 and 25, 1979. The series was loosely based on Hanna-Barbera's ''[[Super Friends]]'' animated series, then airing on Saturday mornings on [[American Broadcasting Company|ABC]]; but served as a reunion of sorts for the 1960s' ''[[Batman (TV series)|Batman]]'' TV series, as it brings back together three of its stars reprising their respective roles. The specials were produced like standard variety shows of the time: on [[videotape]] and with a [[laugh track]].<ref>{{cite news|title= A History of Batman on TV|work= [[IGN]]|date=|url= http://uk.tv.ign.com/articles/891/891807p6.html|accessdate=2010-08-15}}</ref>
'''''Legends of the Superheroes''''' is an umbrella title for two 60-minute [[Live action|live-action]] [[television special]]s produced by [[Hanna-Barbera|Hanna-Barbera Productions]] that aired on [[NBC]] on January 18 and 25, 1979. The series was loosely based on Hanna-Barbera's ''[[Super Friends]]'' animated series, then airing on Saturday mornings on [[American Broadcasting Company|ABC]]; it served as a reunion of sorts for the 1960s' ''[[Batman (TV series)|Batman]]'' TV series, as it brings back together two of its stars reprising their respective roles. The specials were produced like standard variety shows of the time: on [[videotape]] and with a [[laugh track]].<ref>{{cite news|title= A History of Batman on TV|work= [[IGN]]|url= http://uk.tv.ign.com/articles/891/891807p6.html|access-date=2010-08-15}}</ref>


==Cast==
==Cast==
''Legends of the Superheroes'' starred [[Adam West]] and [[Burt Ward]], reprising their roles as [[Batman]] and [[Robin (comics)|Robin]]. The show also had a large ensemble cast of other [[DC Comics]] [[superhero]]es that included Garrett Craig as [[Captain Marvel (DC Comics)|Captain Marvel]], Howard Murphy as the [[Hal Jordan|Green Lantern]], Rod Haase as [[Flash (Barry Allen)|The Flash]], Bill Nuckols as [[Hawkman]], Barbara Joyce as [[Huntress (comics)|The Huntress]], Alfie Wise as [[The Atom]] and Danuta Wesley (credited as Danuta) as the [[Black Canary]].
''Legends of the Superheroes'' starred [[Adam West]] and [[Burt Ward]], reprising their roles as [[Batman]] and [[Robin (comics)|Robin]]. The show also had a large ensemble cast of other [[DC Comics]] [[superhero]]es that included Garrett Craig as [[Captain Marvel (DC Comics)|Captain Marvel]], Howard Murphy as the [[Hal Jordan|Green Lantern]], Rod Haase as [[Flash (Barry Allen)|The Flash]], Bill Nuckols as [[Hawkman]], Barbara Joyce as [[Huntress (Helena Wayne)|The Huntress]], Alfie Wise as [[The Atom]] and Danuta Wesley (credited as Danuta) as the [[Black Canary]].


===Cast List===
===Cast===
*[[Adam West]] as [[Batman]] (both specials)
* [[Adam West]] as [[Batman]] (both specials)
*[[Burt Ward]] as [[Dick Grayson|Robin]] (both specials)
* [[Burt Ward]] as [[Dick Grayson|Robin]] (both specials)
*[[William Schallert]] as Retired Man/Scarlet Cyclone (both specials)
* [[William Schallert]] as Retired Man/Scarlet Cyclone (both specials)
*Mickey Morton as [[Solomon Grundy (comics)|Solomon Grundy]] (both specials)
* Mickey Morton as [[Solomon Grundy (comics)|Solomon Grundy]] (both specials)
*[[Jeff Altman]] as [[Weather Wizard]] (both specials)
* [[Jeff Altman]] as [[Weather Wizard]] (both specials)
*[[Charlie Callas]] as [[Sinestro]] (both specials)
* [[Charlie Callas]] as [[Sinestro]] (both specials)
*Howard Murphy as [[Hal Jordan|Green Lantern]] (both specials)
* Howard Murphy as [[Hal Jordan|Green Lantern]] (both specials)
*[[Aleshia Brevard]] as [[Giganta]] (both specials)
* [[Aleshia Brevard]] as [[Giganta]] (both specials)
*Garrett Craig as [[Captain Marvel (DC Comics)|Captain Marvel]] (both specials)
* Garrett Craig as [[Captain Marvel (DC Comics)|Captain Marvel]] (both specials)
*[[Howard Morris]] as [[Doctor Sivana|Dr. Sivana]] (both specials)
* [[Howard Morris]] as [[Doctor Sivana|Dr. Sivana]] (both specials)
*Danuta as [[Black Canary]] (both specials)
* Danuta Wesley as [[Black Canary]] (both specials)
*Bill Nuckols as [[Hawkman]] (both specials)
* Bill Nuckols as [[Hawkman (Katar Hol)|Hawkman]] (both specials)
*Rod Haase as [[Flash (Barry Allen)|The Flash]] (both specials)
* Rod Haase as [[Flash (Barry Allen)|The Flash]] (both specials)
*[[Gabriel Dell]] as [[Mordru]] (both specials)
* [[Gabriel Dell]] as [[Mordru]] (both specials)
*Barbara Joyce as [[Huntress (comics)|Huntress]] (both specials)
* Barbara Joyce as [[Huntress (Helena Wayne)|Huntress]] (both specials)
*[[Frank Gorshin]] as [[Riddler|The Riddler]] (1st special)
* [[Frank Gorshin]] as [[Riddler|The Riddler]] (1st special)
*[[Ruth Buzzi]] as [[Aunt Minerva]] (2nd special)
* [[Ruth Buzzi]] as Aunt Minerva (2nd special)
*[[Ed McMahon]] as Himself (2nd special)
* [[Ed McMahon]] as Himself (2nd special)
*Alfie Wise as [[Atom (comics)|The Atom]] (2nd special)
* Alfie Wise as [[Atom (comics)|The Atom]] (2nd special)
*[[June Gable]] as Rhoda Rooter (2nd special)
* [[June Gable]] as Rhoda Rooter (2nd special)
*[[Pat Carroll (actress)|Pat Carroll]] as Hawkman's Mother (2nd special)
* [[Pat Carroll (actress)|Pat Carroll]] as Esther Hol (2nd special)
*Brad Sanders as Ghetto Man (2nd special)
* Brad Sanders as Ghetto Man (2nd special)
*[[Gary Owens]] as Narrator (uncredited, both specials)
* [[Gary Owens]] as Narrator (uncredited, both specials)
*[[Marsha Warfield]] as Woman in phone booth (uncredited, 1st special)
* [[Marsha Warfield]] as Woman in phone booth (uncredited, 1st special)


===Notable guest stars===
===Notable guest stars===
Notable guest stars in the two specials included [[Frank Gorshin]] reprising his role as [[The Riddler]] from ''Batman'', [[Howard Morris]] as [[Doctor Sivana]], [[Gabriel Dell]] as [[Mordru]], [[Charlie Callas]] as [[Sinestro]], [[Jeff Altman]] as the [[Weather Wizard]], [[Ruth Buzzi]] as [[List of Captain Marvel (DC Comics) enemies#Aunt Minerva|Aunt Minerva]], Mickey Morton as [[Solomon Grundy (comics)|Solomon Grundy]], [[June Gable]] as Rhoda Rooter, [[Pat Carroll (actress)|Pat Carroll]] as Hawkman's mother, [[Aleshia Brevard]] as [[Giganta]], [[William Schallert]] playing the Scarlet Cyclone (more commonly referred to as "Retired Man") and Brad Sanders as "Ghetto Man". [[Ed McMahon]] played himself, hosting the celebrity super-hero roast.
Notable guest stars in the two specials included [[Frank Gorshin]] reprising his role as [[The Riddler]] from ''Batman'', [[Howard Morris]] as [[Doctor Sivana]], [[Gabriel Dell]] as [[Mordru]], [[Charlie Callas]] as [[Sinestro]], [[Jeff Altman]] as the [[Weather Wizard]], [[Ruth Buzzi]] as [[List of Captain Marvel (DC Comics) enemies#Aunt Minerva|Aunt Minerva]], [[June Gable]] as Rhoda Rooter, [[Pat Carroll (actress)|Pat Carroll]] as Hawkman's mother, [[Aleshia Brevard]] as [[Giganta]], [[William Schallert]] playing the Scarlet Cyclone (more commonly referred to as "Retired Man") and Brad Sanders as "Ghetto Man". [[Ed McMahon]] played himself, hosting the celebrity super-hero roast.


==Episodes==
==Episodes==
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===The Challenge===
===The Challenge===
In the first episode, [[the Justice League of America]] ([[Batman]], [[Robin (comics)|Robin]], [[Flash (comics)|Flash]], [[Green Lantern]], [[Hawkman]], [[Captain Marvel (DC Comics)|Captain Marvel]], [[Huntress (comics)|Huntress]] and [[Black Canary]]) unite at the Hall of Heroes to celebrate elderly retired superhero Scarlet Cyclone's birthday. The party is interrupted by the [[Legion of Doom (Super Friends)|Legion of Doom]] ([[Riddler]], [[Weather Wizard]], [[Sinestro]], [[Mordru]], [[Doctor Sivana]], [[Giganta]] and [[Solomon Grundy (comics)|Solomon Grundy]]), who announce they have hidden a deadly bomb in a secret location, and the heroes must follow clues to find it. It's all, actually, a trap to make the heroes drink Mordru's de-powering potion, which succeeds, but the heroes face off the villains even so, disarm the bomb and recover their powers. Only after the whole battle is gone, and the heroes have proven victorious, does Scarlet Cyclone arrive to give his aid.
In the first special, the [[Justice League of America]] ([[Batman]], [[Robin (comics)|Robin]], [[Flash (comics)|The Flash]], [[Green Lantern]], [[Hawkman]], [[Captain Marvel (DC Comics)|Captain Marvel]], [[Huntress (Helena Wayne)|Huntress]] and [[Black Canary]]) unite at the Hall of Heroes to celebrate elderly retired superhero Scarlet Cyclone's birthday. The party is interrupted by the [[Legion of Doom]] ([[Riddler]], [[Weather Wizard]], [[Sinestro]], [[Mordru]], [[Doctor Sivana]], [[Giganta]] and [[Solomon Grundy (comics)|Solomon Grundy]]), who announce they have hidden a deadly bomb in a secret location, and the heroes must follow clues to find it. It's all actually a ruse to trick the heroes into drinking Dr. Sivana's de-powering potion. Despite the fact that they now lack their super-powers, the heroes fight the villains, and manage to both disarm the bomb and recover their powers. Only after the whole battle is over, and the heroes have proven victorious, does Scarlet Cyclone arrive to give his aid.


===The Roast===
===The Roast===
The second episode was a celebrity [[Roast (comedy)|roast]] of the superheroes hosted by [[Ed McMahon]]. All of the major characters from the first episode return. New characters featured include Ghetto Man, an [[African-American]] superhero who performs a [[stand-up comedy]] routine; [[Aunt Minerva]], the Captain Marvel villainess who seeks a sixth husband from among the male superheroes; Rhoda Rooter, an entertainment reporter who snags an exclusive interview with Giganta and the [[Atom (Ray Palmer)|Atom]] (Alfie Wise) on their engagement to be married; and Esther Hol, Hawkman's mother.
The second special is a [[Roast (comedy)|celebrity roast]] of the superheroes hosted by [[Ed McMahon]]. All of the major characters from the first episode return, with the exception of the Riddler. New characters featured include Ghetto Man, an [[African-American]] superhero who performs a [[stand-up comedy]] routine; Aunt Minerva, the Captain Marvel villainess who seeks a sixth husband from among the male superheroes; Rhoda Rooter, an entertainment reporter who snags an exclusive interview with Giganta and [[Atom (Ray Palmer)|The Atom]] (Alfie Wise) on their engagement to be married; and Esther Hol, Hawkman's mother.


==Home media==
==Home media==
[[Warner Home Video]]'s [[Warner Archive Collection]] released the specials on DVD on October 19, 2010.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.wbshop.com/products/legends-of-the-super-heroes-mod|title=Legends of the Super Heroes (1979) DVD - Warner Bros. Archive: WBshop.com - The Official Online Store of Warner Bros. Studios|publisher=WBshop.com|accessdate=2010-12-25}}</ref>
[[Warner Home Video]]'s [[Warner Archive Collection]] released the specials on DVD on October 19, 2010.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.wbshop.com/products/legends-of-the-super-heroes-mod|title=Legends of the Super Heroes (1979) DVD - Warner Bros. Archive: WBshop.com - The Official Online Store of Warner Bros. Studios|publisher=WBshop.com|access-date=2010-12-25|archive-date=2019-07-16|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190716012606/https://www.wbshop.com/products/legends-of-the-super-heroes-mod|url-status=dead}}</ref>


==In popular culture==
==In popular culture==
In the ''[[Batman: The Brave and the Bold]]'' episode "Crisis: 22,300 Miles Above Earth!", [[Joker (comics)|Joker]], [[Penguin (comics)|Penguin]], [[Gorilla Grodd]], [[Kite Man]], [[Black Manta]], [[Two-Face]], [[Gentleman Ghost]], [[Mr. Freeze]], [[Riddler]], [[Poison Ivy (comics)|Poison Ivy]], [[Clock King]], and [[Solomon Grundy (comics)|Solomon Grundy]] roast (literally and figuratively) [[Batman]] with help from a kidnapped [[Jeffrey Ross]].
In the ''[[Batman: The Brave and the Bold]]'' episode "Crisis: 22,300 Miles Above Earth!", [[Joker (comics)|Joker]], [[Penguin (comics)|Penguin]], [[Gorilla Grodd]], [[Kite Man]], [[Black Manta]], [[Two-Face]], [[Gentleman Ghost]], [[Mr. Freeze]], [[Riddler]], [[Poison Ivy (comics)|Poison Ivy]], [[Clock King]], and [[Solomon Grundy (comics)|Solomon Grundy]] roast (both figuratively and literally) [[Batman]] with help from a kidnapped [[Jeff Ross]].


==References==
==References==
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==External links==
==External links==
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20110819230615/http://legendsofthesuperheroes.webs.com/ ''Legends Of The SuperHeroes'' Homepage!]
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20110819230615/http://legendsofthesuperheroes.webs.com/ ''Legends of the SuperHeroes'' homepage!]
* [http://www.reocities.com/Hollywood/Chateau/4427/ ''Legends Of The SuperHeroes'' In Lurid Videotape!]
* [http://www.reocities.com/Hollywood/Chateau/4427/ ''Legends of the SuperHeroes'' In Lurid Videotape!]
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20050614002413/http://www.moviepoopshoot.com/comics101/117.html Information about the series by Comics 101]
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20050614002413/http://www.moviepoopshoot.com/comics101/117.html Information about the series by Comics 101]
*{{IMDb title|id=0131675|title=Legends of the Superheroes}}
* {{IMDb title|id=0131675|title=Legends of the Superheroes}}
* [http://www.legionsofgotham.org/TVLEGENDS ''Legends Of The SuperHeroes'' History & Pics at Legions Of Gotham]
* [http://www.legionsofgotham.org/TVLEGENDS ''Legends of the SuperHeroes'' History & Pics at Legions of Gotham]
* [http://www.tvobscurities.com/2009/01/legends-of-the-superheroes/ Television Obscurities » Blog Archive » ''Legends of the Superheroes'']
* [http://www.tvobscurities.com/2009/01/legends-of-the-superheroes/ Television Obscurities » Blog Archive » ''Legends of the Superheroes'']
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20101107021606/http://legendsofthesuperheroes.com/ Legends of the Superheroes Fan Page]
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20101107021606/http://legendsofthesuperheroes.com/ ''Legends of the Superheroes'' fan page]


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{{DC Comics TV}}
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{{Batman in popular media}}
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{{Black Canary}}
{{Justice League}}
{{Justice League}}
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{{Batman (TV series)}}
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{{Shazam}}
{{Legion of Doom (Super Friends)}}
{{Legion of Doom (Super Friends)}}
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{{Shazam}}
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{{Black Canary}}
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{{Batman (TV series)}}
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{{Batman in popular media}}
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{{DC Comics TV}}


⚫
[[Category:1970s American television series]]
[[Category:1979 American television series debuts]]
[[Category:1979 American television series debuts]]
⚫
[[Category:1979 television specials]]
[[Category:Batman (TV series)]]
[[Category:Batman (TV series)]]
[[Category:NBC network shows]]
[[Category:NBC original programming]]
[[Category:1970s American television specials]]
[[Category:1970s American television specials]]
[[Category:Hanna-Barbera television specials]]
[[Category:Hanna-Barbera television specials]]
[[Category:Animated television programs based on DC Comics]]
[[Category:Animated television shows based on DC Comics]]
[[Category:Television series reunion specials]]
[[Category:Television series reunion specials]]
[[Category:Justice League television series]]
[[Category:Justice League television series]]
[[Category:Superhero comedy films]]
[[Category:Superhero comedy films]]
[[Category:Superhero television programs]]
[[Category:American superhero television series]]

Latest revision as of 07:28, 19 August 2024

Legends of the Superheroes
Directed byBill Carruthers
Chris Darley
Narrated byGary Owens
ComposerFred Werner
Country of originUnited States
Original languageEnglish
No. of episodes2
Production
Executive producerJoseph Barbera
ProducerBill Carruthers
CinematographyGreg Brunton
EditorsHarvey Berger
Andy Shubert
Running time100 minutes
Production companiesHanna-Barbera Productions
DC Comics
Original release
NetworkNBC
ReleaseJanuary 18 (1979-01-18) –
January 25, 1979 (1979-01-25)
Related
Super Friends

Legends of the Superheroes is an umbrella title for two 60-minute live-action television specials produced by Hanna-Barbera Productions that aired on NBC on January 18 and 25, 1979. The series was loosely based on Hanna-Barbera's Super Friends animated series, then airing on Saturday mornings on ABC; it served as a reunion of sorts for the 1960s' Batman TV series, as it brings back together two of its stars reprising their respective roles. The specials were produced like standard variety shows of the time: on videotape and with a laugh track.[1]

Cast

[edit]

Legends of the Superheroes starred Adam West and Burt Ward, reprising their roles as Batman and Robin. The show also had a large ensemble cast of other DC Comics superheroes that included Garrett Craig as Captain Marvel, Howard Murphy as the Green Lantern, Rod Haase as The Flash, Bill Nuckols as Hawkman, Barbara Joyce as The Huntress, Alfie Wise as The Atom and Danuta Wesley (credited as Danuta) as the Black Canary.

Cast

[edit]

Notable guest stars

[edit]

Notable guest stars in the two specials included Frank Gorshin reprising his role as The Riddler from Batman, Howard Morris as Doctor Sivana, Gabriel Dell as Mordru, Charlie Callas as Sinestro, Jeff Altman as the Weather Wizard, Ruth Buzzi as Aunt Minerva, June Gable as Rhoda Rooter, Pat Carroll as Hawkman's mother, Aleshia Brevard as Giganta, William Schallert playing the Scarlet Cyclone (more commonly referred to as "Retired Man") and Brad Sanders as "Ghetto Man". Ed McMahon played himself, hosting the celebrity super-hero roast.

Episodes

[edit]

Both specials preempted Project U.F.O.

The Challenge

[edit]

In the first special, the Justice League of America (Batman, Robin, The Flash, Green Lantern, Hawkman, Captain Marvel, Huntress and Black Canary) unite at the Hall of Heroes to celebrate elderly retired superhero Scarlet Cyclone's birthday. The party is interrupted by the Legion of Doom (Riddler, Weather Wizard, Sinestro, Mordru, Doctor Sivana, Giganta and Solomon Grundy), who announce they have hidden a deadly bomb in a secret location, and the heroes must follow clues to find it. It's all actually a ruse to trick the heroes into drinking Dr. Sivana's de-powering potion. Despite the fact that they now lack their super-powers, the heroes fight the villains, and manage to both disarm the bomb and recover their powers. Only after the whole battle is over, and the heroes have proven victorious, does Scarlet Cyclone arrive to give his aid.

The Roast

[edit]

The second special is a celebrity roast of the superheroes hosted by Ed McMahon. All of the major characters from the first episode return, with the exception of the Riddler. New characters featured include Ghetto Man, an African-American superhero who performs a stand-up comedy routine; Aunt Minerva, the Captain Marvel villainess who seeks a sixth husband from among the male superheroes; Rhoda Rooter, an entertainment reporter who snags an exclusive interview with Giganta and The Atom (Alfie Wise) on their engagement to be married; and Esther Hol, Hawkman's mother.

Home media

[edit]

Warner Home Video's Warner Archive Collection released the specials on DVD on October 19, 2010.[2]

[edit]

In the Batman: The Brave and the Bold episode "Crisis: 22,300 Miles Above Earth!", Joker, Penguin, Gorilla Grodd, Kite Man, Black Manta, Two-Face, Gentleman Ghost, Mr. Freeze, Riddler, Poison Ivy, Clock King, and Solomon Grundy roast (both figuratively and literally) Batman with help from a kidnapped Jeff Ross.

References

[edit]
  1. ^ "A History of Batman on TV". IGN. Retrieved 2010-08-15.
  2. ^ "Legends of the Super Heroes (1979) DVD - Warner Bros. Archive: WBshop.com - The Official Online Store of Warner Bros. Studios". WBshop.com. Archived from the original on 2019-07-16. Retrieved 2010-12-25.
[edit]
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