The Horror Double Bill

Craig Johnson
  • 5.0 (1)
  • Film Reviews

Welcome to The Horror Double Bill, the podcast where each week we pair two movies to create something far greater than the sum of their parts.  Expect discussions on shared themes, directors. writers and atmosphere, as we explore what the films say about the time they were made and our fears in the present; including social history, folklore, censorship, and a love of horror in all its forms. New episodes every Sunday.  📸 @thehorrordoublebill 📧 thehorrordoublebill@gmail.com 

  1. 1d ago

    Episode 63: Tenebrae (1982) & White of the Eye (1987)

    Welcome to episode 63 of The Horror Double Bill, the podcast where almost every week we pair two movies to create something greater than the sum of their parts. This week we are returning to the 1980s, the world of the Italian giallo and the serial killer, with two films that blend eye-popping cinematography, electronic synth scores, brutalist architecture and brutal murders. First, we have Tenebrae from director Dario Argento, released in 1982. This stars Anthony Franciosa, Giuliano Gemma, Daria Nicolodi and John Steiner. Then we follow this with White of the Eye from director Donald Cammell, which was released in 1987. This stars David Keith, Cathy Moriarty, Art Evans and Alan Rosenberg. Along the way, we’ll be discussing the real-life stalking incident which inspired Tenebrae, meta commentary and accusations of misogyny, the life and career of Donald Cammell, and much more. References Fear: The Autobiography of Dario Argento Broken Mirrors/Broken Minds: The Dark Dreams of Dario Argento by Maitland McDonagh Dario Argento: the Man, The Myths and The Magic by Alan Jones Nightmare Movies by Kim Newman La Dolce Morte by Mikel J Koven.  Tenebrae - interviews and special features 4K release from Synapse Films/Arrow Video https://www.gamesradar.com/dario-argento-life-in-pictures/ https://offscreen.com/view/argento_maestro https://francescolocane.com/2022/11/22/dario-argento-lo-sguardo-imperfetto-intervista-inedita/ https://www.bietti.it/riviste/dario-argento/una-stanza-piena-di-luce-intervista-a-mirella-dangelo/ https://youtu.be/DljSpS4BDA4?si=_gC58ttxLXxViI6N https://youtu.be/2Qc1dRlSQtE?si=FO0Qc6bgKhnwCghZ https://youtu.be/UmDOJC1pxF4?si=CqW-gtHRKst0aIXG https://youtu.be/F6CL6x7A6oo?si=d8ziWBeVQKjQcvW_ https://youtu.be/zkWNdswWf38?si=7FPqOf8fGl2vboJk https://www.ondarock.it/interviste/claudiosimonetti/ Donald Cammell, A Life on the Wild Side by Rebecca and Sam Umland The Cinema of Donald Cammell by Jeremy Mark Robinson White of the Eye: interviews and special features blu ray release from Arrow Video  https://youtu.be/lwZ7xsFQjaQ?is=gXaug5H2IzHqqNKZ https://animatedviews.com/2015/conversation-with-terry-rawlings/ https://www.drkrm.com/cammell1.html https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tenebrae_(film) https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Donald_Cammell   Instagram: @thehorrordoublebill email: thehorrordoublebill@gmail.com youtube: @thehorrordoublebill artwork by Justin Parker (IG jpkr_illustration.com)

  2. Aug 22

    Episode 62: Paranoiac! (1963) & A Bell From Hell (1973)

    Welcome to episode 62 of The Horror Double Bill, the podcast where each week we pair two movies to create something greater than the sum of their parts. This week we are attending two family reunions, at which the return of prodigal children exposes secrets, lies, madness, and murder. First up, we have Paranoiac! from Hammer Studios in 1963. This was directed by Freddie Francis and stars Janette Scott, Oliver Reed, Alexander Davion, and Sheila Burrell. Then we follow this with a return to Spain and A Bell from Hell, from 1973. This was directed by Claudio Guerín Hill, and stars Renaud Verley, Christina von Blanc, Viveca Lindfors, Maribel Martín, and Nuria Gimeno. Along the way, we’ll be discussing Hammer’s move from horror into the world of the psychological thriller, the attempted fraud which loosely inspired Paranoiac, the career of director and cinematographer Freddie Francis, why there’s no such thing as a cursed movie, the tragic death of Claudio Guerín Hill, and much, much more. Recommendations A Taste of Fear (1961) Dr Terrors House of Horrors (1965) Mumsy, Nanny, Sonny & Girly (1970) Tales that Witness Madness (1973) The Imposter (2012) References Hammer Films: An Exhaustive Filmography by Tom Johnson and Deborah Del Vecchio The Films of Oliver Reed by Susan D. Cowie and Tom Johnson https://historyproject.org.uk/interview/freddie-francis/ https://historyproject.org.uk/interview/jimmy-sangster/ https://bloody-disgusting.com/editorials/3717782/paranoiac-was-one-of-hammers-very-best-mini-hitchcock-thrillers-hammer-factory/ https://horrorcultfilms.co.uk/2016/05/docs-journey-into-hammer-films-60-paranoiac-1963/ https://eofftvreview.wordpress.com/2021/02/26/paranoiac-1963/ https://brightonmuseums.org.uk/discovery/history-stories/the-tichborne-case-a-case-of-identity-fraud/ https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tichborne_case https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paranoiac_(film) Paranoiac - blu-ray from Final Cut Entertainment. A Bell from Hell (4k release Severine Films 2025) https://www.cineymax.es/perfiles/191910-perfil-de-claudio-guerin https://criticalia.com/pelicula/la-campana-del-infierno https://elpais.com/cultura/2018/07/06/actualidad/1530878062_733421.html https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Bell_from_Hell Sex, Sadism, Spain, and Cinema by Nicholas G. Schlegel.   Instagram: @thehorrordoublebill email: thehorrordoublebill@gmail.com youtube: @thehorrordoublebill artwork by Justin Parker (IG jpkr_illustration.com)

  3. Aug 15

    Episode 61: M (1931) & Frenzy (1972)

    Welcome to episode 61 of The Horror Double Bill, the podcast where each week we pair two movies to create something greater than the sum of their parts. This week we are in pursuit of a killer or two, the first in Germany in 1931 and the second in London four decades later, in 1972. First up, we have M, directed by Fritz Lang. This stars Peter Lorre, Otto Wernicke, Georg John and Theodor Loos. Then we follow this with Frenzy, from director Alfred Hitchcock. This stars Jon Finch, Barry Foster, Barbara Leigh-Hunt, Alec McCowen and Anna Massey. Along the way, we’ll be discussing the career and films of director Fritz Lang, actor Peter Lorre, the real-life crimes that inspired both movies, attitudes towards sexual violence in the 1970s, and much, much more. Recommendations Metropolis (1927) Scarlet Street (1945) The Woman in the Window (1944) Mad Love (1935) Blood Simple (1984) Arsenic & Old Lace (1944) The Beast with Five Fingers (1946) Sleuth (1972) References M  by Samm Deighan (Devil’s Advocates)  Euro Gothic: Classics of Continental Horror Cinema by Jonathan Rigby Fritz Lang: The Life and Legacy of the Influential German-American Film Legend by Charles River Editors Fritz Lang by Lotte H. Eisner M (blu-ray from Eureka Entertainment) Alfred Hitchcock’s Frenzy by Raymond Foery Frenzy (Devil’s Advocates) series of books.  https://filmfolly.com/features/m-explained-fritz-langs-shockingly-relevant-story https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Peter_K%C3%BCrten https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/M_(1931_film) https://www.bfi.org.uk/features/alfred-hitchcock-frenzy https://cinephiliabeyond.org/frenzy-hitchcocks-return-perfection-penultimate-film/ https://www.express.co.uk/entertainment/films/1679830/Michael-Caine-Hollywood-feud-director-Alfred-Hitchcock-Frenzy-film https://www.digitalspy.com/movies/a440534/helen-mirren-on-alfred-hitchcock-meeting-i-was-arrogant-ignorant/ https://www.sensesofcinema.com/2022/cteq/m-fritz-lang-1931/ https://youtu.be/GNm0ultOUC0?si=Ao74fogYdec9McDC https://www.executedtoday.com/2016/02/15/1926-josef-jakubowski-weimar-germany-wrongful-execution/ https://www.ndr.de/geschichte/chronologie/Josef-Jakubowski-Unschuldig-wegen-eines-Mordes-enthauptet%2Cjakubowski100.html     Instagram: @thehorrordoublebill email: thehorrordoublebill@gmail.com youtube: @thehorrordoublebill artwork by Justin Parker (IG jpkr_illustration.com)

  4. Aug 8

    Episode 60: Freaks (1932) & Santa Sangre (1989)

    Welcome to episode 60 of The Horror Double Bill, the podcast where each week we pair two movies to create something greater than the sum of their parts. This week we are running away to join the circus—a prospect that seems more and more appealing with every passing day. First up, we have the highly controversial Freaks, from 1932 directed by Tod Browning. This stars Olga Baclanova, Harry Earles, Daisy Earles, Wallace Ford, Leila Hyams and Henry Victor. Then we follow this with the incredibly surreal Santa Sangre, from 1989 directed by Alejandro Jodorowsky. This stars Axel Jodorowsky, Adan Jodorowsky, Blanca Guerra, Thelma Tixou and Guy Stockwell. Along the way, we’ll be discussing the life and career of directors Tod Browning and Alejandro Jodowrosky, the history of the quote unquote freak show, the careers of Harry and Daisy Earles, and much, much more. Recommendations The Unholy Three (1925) The Unknown (1927) Dracula (1931) Mark of the Vampire (1935) The Devil Doll (1936) References Dark Carnival: The Secret World of Tod Browning, Hollywood’s Master of the Macabre by David J. Skal and Elias Savada Tod Browning’s Dracula by Gary D. Rhodes Freaks: A Film by Tod Browning by Jack Hunter American Gothic: Six Decades of Classic Horror Cinema by Jonathan Rigby.  Freaks (1932) blu ray (Criterion). Anarchy and Alchemy: The Films of Alejandro Jodorowsky by Ben Cobb The Seven Lives of Alejandro Jodorowsky compiled and curated by Vincent Bernière and Nicolas Tellop Santa Sangre (1989) blu-ray special edition (Severin Films) Spaghetti Nightmares: Italian Fantasy-Horrors as Seen Through the Eyes of Their Protagonists Luca Palmerini   https://www.historic-uk.com/CultureUK/Barnum-Bailey-Revolt-Of-The-Freaks/ https://www.theguardian.com/film/2015/jun/09/tod-browning-freaks-banned https://collider.com/freaks-history-tod-browning/ https://disabilityvisibilityproject.com/2023/10/08/one-of-us-tod-brownings-freaks-disability-culture-and-the-criterion-for-inclusion/ https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sarah_Baartman https://blackpast.org/global-african-history/baartman-sara-saartjie-1789-1815/ https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Millie_and_Christine_McKoy https://medium.com/lessons-from-history/the-dark-world-of-human-curiosities-uncovering-the-history-of-freak-shows-8633a1b95321 https://www.britannica.com/art/freak-show https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0423524/ https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alejandro_Jodorowsky https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tod_Browning Instagram: @thehorrordoublebill email: thehorrordoublebill@gmail.com youtube: @thehorrordoublebill artwork by Justin Parker (IG jpkr_illustration.com)

  5. Aug 1

    Episode 59: Fascination (1979) & Strange Darling (2023)

    Welcome to Episode 59 of The Horror Double Bill, the podcast where each week we pair two movies to create something greater than the sum of their parts. This week we are exploring the surreal and erotic world of French director Jean Rollin and a time-jumping, twisted narrative from director JT Mollner. First up, we have Fascination from 1979, directed by Jean Rollin and starring Brigitte Lahaie, Fanny Magier, Franca Maï and Jean-Marie Lemaire. Then we follow this with Strange Darling, filmed in 2023, released in 2024 and directed by JT Mollner. This stars Willa Fitzgerald, Kyle Gallner, Ed Begley Jr. and Barbara Hershey. Along the way, we'll be discussing the life and careers of Jean Rollin, director JT Mollner, actress Willa Fitzgerald, actor Kyle Gallner, and much, much more. Recommendations Dinner in America (2020) References Fascination: The Celluloid Dreams of Jean Rollin by David Hinds Euro Gothic: Classics of Continental Horror Cinema by Jonathan Rigby. Orchestrator of Storms: The Fantastique World of Jean Rollin, directed by Kat Ellinger and Dima Ballin Fascination (1979) Indicator Films blu ray - interviews, features and commentaries https://www.mondo-digital.com/jeanrollintalk.html https://www.kinoeye.org/02/07/black07.php https://www.cultcollectibles.com/rollin/interview.htm https://diaboliquefilms.com/orchestrator-of-storms-the-fantastique-world-of-jean-rollin/ https://www.slantmagazine.com/features/flesh-and-blood-the-cinema-of-jean-rollin/ https://comicbookmovie.com/horror/strange-darling-interview-with-director-jt-mollner-and-cinematographer-giovanni-ribisi-exclusive-a212771 https://www.forbes.com/sites/timlammers/2024/08/22/strange-darling-filmmaker-on-how-his-twisty-horror-tale-came-to-life/ https://www.vanityfair.com/hollywood/story/willa-fitzgerald-strange-darling-awards-insider https://www.yahoo.com/entertainment/interview-strange-darling-jt-mollner-210000410.html?guccounter=1&guce_referrer=aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuZ29vZ2xlLmNvbS8&guce_referrer_sig=AQAAAGHo6tEN-HdQHXhxk4NbZ2StYJf-FEfajRBj0qPh3c3xSQmYzRR2a76AzOO25xPoL2Xno3Mu75eR0ODZuS7L451m8mdjYUnGu_eCH-6uQiwC5dReQ0lg2vkp88PQKhuCPlvy9a6G6rmmfZfvsboJEWxqSK61Pj-jxuGlCmcuLZQ- https://neon.reviewjournal.com/entertainment-columns/christopher-lawrence/jt-mollner-freaks-you-out-in-new-way-with-outlaws-and-angels/ https://www.nytimes.com/2026/06/09/movies/kyle-gallner-interview.html https://www.dreadcentral.com/editorials/508811/kyle-gallner-interview-the-strange-darling-star-in-graphic-detail-august-cover-story/ https://youtu.be/3Nv2IjA-JU8?si=T4gZZHR_c5M-2GhN https://youtu.be/WT0Q_uuFFYA?si=6j2kmdJ0wtPhpF1V https://youtu.be/Ygm2jEonymI?si=FCzGuRc4BfL0DEh3   Instagram: @thehorrordoublebill email: thehorrordoublebill@gmail.com youtube: @thehorrordoublebill artwork by Justin Parker (IG jpkr_illustration.com)

  6. Jul 25

    Episode 58: The Cabinet of Dr Caligari (1920) & Session 9 (2001)

    Welcome to episode 58 of The Horror Double Bill, the podcast where each week we pair two movies to create something greater than the sum of their parts. This week, we are exploring the world of the insane asylum, starting off with the oldest film we have covered to date and our very first silent movie. This is The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari from 1920, which was directed by Robert Wiene. This stars Frederich Ferer, Conrad Veidt, Werner Krauss and Lil Dagover. Then we follow this with something a little more recent, although it is still 25 years old. This is Session 9 from 2001, directed by Brad Anderson. It stars David Caruso, Peter Mullan, Stephen Gevedon and Josh Lucas. Along the way, we’ll be discussing the birth of the horror film, German Expressionist cinema, the life and career of Conrad Veidt, the true crime that inspired Session 9, The Danvers State Psychiatric Hospital, recovered memory syndrome and satanic panic, and much, much more. Recommendations The Hands of Orlac (1924) The Man Who Laughs (1928) Casablanca (1942) References Das Cabinet des Dr. Caligari by David Robinson (BFI Film Classics)  Beyond Caligari: The Films of Robert Wiene by Uli Jung and Walter Schatzberg.  Euro Gothic: Classics of Continental Horror Cinema by Jonathan Rigby The Aurum Film Encyclopedia: Horror, edited by Phil Hardy The Cabinet of Dr Caligari blu-ray from Eureka Entertainment https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Cabinet_of_Dr._Caligari https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Conrad_Veidt https://www.filmportal.de/material/interview-mit-olaf-brill https://warfarehistorynetwork.com/article/conrad-veidt-lived-out-his-anti-nazi-commitment/ https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Werner_Krauss https://historymatters.sites.sheffield.ac.uk/blog-archive/2020/defending-democracy-the-protests-against-werner-krauss-in-west-berlin https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lil_Dagover https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0891998/ Session 9 blu-ray (Second Sight Films) Fangoria magazine issue 168  https://www.newschoolfreepress.com/2021/10/29/stephen-gevedon-talks-session-9-fan-theories-a-review-of-the-last-thing-mary-saw-more-from-brooklyn-horror-film-festival/ https://www.theguardian.com/film/2001/jan/07/features.magazine https://1428elm.com/2017/09/26/stephen-gevedon-session-9-retrospective-interview/4 https://movieweb.com/agent-orange-session-9-with-director-brad-anderson-david-caruso/ https://www.aboutfilm.com/features/session9/interview.htm https://screenanarchy.com/2004/10/brad-anderson-an-interview-with-the-director-of-session-9-and-the-machinist.html https://historyofmassachusetts.org/history-of-danvers-state-hospital/ https://www.madinamerica.com/2018/09/decline-danvers-state-hospital/ https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Session_9 https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Michelle_Remembers https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Recovered-memory_therapy https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Repressed_memory https://www.fangoria.com/session-9-20-years-later/ https://allthatsinteresting.com/danvers-state-hospital https://www.danversstatehospital.org/history Instagram: @thehorrordoublebill email: thehorrordoublebill@gmail.com youtube: @thehorrordoublebill artwork by Justin Parker (IG jpkr_illustration.com)

  7. Jul 18

    Episode 57: Peeping Tom (1960) & Tesis (1996)

    Welcome to episode 57 of The Horror Double Bill, the podcast where each week we pair two movies to create something greater than the sum of their parts. This week we are exploring voyeurism, meta commentary and the world of the snuff movie with one film that, according to its director, ruined his career, and another that launched the career of its director First up we have Peeping Tom from 1960, directed by Michael Powell. It stars Karl Böhm, Anna Massey, Moira Shearer, and Maxine Audley. Then we follow this with the debut feature from acclaimed director Alejandro Amenábar. This is Tesis from 1996, and it stars Ana Torrent, Eduardo Noriega, Fele Martínez, and Nieves Herranz. Along the way, we’ll be discussing the career of Michael Powell and the critical mauling that Peeping Tom, and Powell, received from the critics, the depiction of so-called snuff movies in cinema, the early career of Alejandro Amenábar and much more Recommendations Videodrome (1983) Mute Witness (1995) Strange Days (1995) References Peeping Tom (1960) Studio Canal (interviews and commentaries) Peeping Tom by Kiri Bloom Walden (Devil’s Advocates)  A Very British Psycho: https://youtu.be/nc7jDPFgob4?si=cJ0_EOShHjMRex6T https://www.dailyscript.com/scripts/peepingtom.html https://www.planet-interview.de/interviews/karlheinz-boehm/33637/ https://medium.com/geouwehoer/how-michael-powells-peeping-tom-1960-predicted-our-culture-of-voyeurism-in-2020-20e06b6bafc https://powell-pressburger.org/Reviews/60_PT/PT_Femme1.html https://www.criterion.com/current/posts/8473-peeping-tom-he-has-his-father-s-eyes?srsltid=AfmBOop_p2jUayaE1weY62utcGITK-IX9UC7JvdVkmXsfeUgYknGhLFj https://www.bbfc.co.uk/case-studies/peeping-tom-1960 Tesis (1996) Umbrella Entertainment Blu-ray (interviews and commentaries) Spanish Horror Film by Antonio Lázaro-Reboll The Spanish Fantastic by Shelagh Rowan-Legg Supranational Horrors by Rui M. Trindade Oliveira Nightmare Movies by Kim Newman  https://www.madrimasd.org/blogs/imagen_cine_comunicacion_audiovisual/2012/05/31/126017 https://espacio.fundaciontelefonica.com/noticia/alejandro-amenabar-nunca-cierro-las-puertas-al-mas-alla/ https://cadenaser.com/nacional/2025/09/11/alejandro-amenabar-si-cervantes-viviera-hoy-probablemente-estaria-en-una-carroza-del-orgullo-gay-cadena-ser/ https://www.academiadecine.com/2021/05/27/amenabar-el-chico-que-los-tenia-alucinados/ https://www.aceprensa.com/resenas-cine-series/tesis https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Michael_Powell https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Michael_Powell_filmography https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Peeping_Tom_(1960_film) https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thesis_(1996_film) https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Snuff_(film) https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hardcore_(1979_film) https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bloodline_(1979_film) https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Michael_Findlay_(filmmaker)         Instagram: @thehorrordoublebill email: thehorrordoublebill@gmail.com youtube: @thehorrordoublebill artwork by Justin Parker (IG jpkr_illustration.com)

  8. Jul 11

    Episode 56: Les Diaboliques (1955) & The Strange Vice of Mrs Wardh (1971)

    Welcome to episode 56 of The Horror Double Bill, the podcast where each week we pair two movies to create something greater than the sum of their parts. This week we are in Europe, where we return to the psychological thriller and the Italian giallo, with two films drenched in murder and paranoia. First up, we have Les Diaboliques from 1955, directed by Henri-Georges Clouzot. This stars Simone Signoret, Véra Clouzot, Paul Meurisse and Charles Vanel. Then we follow this with The Strange Vice of Mrs Wardh from 1971 and director Sergio Martino. This stars Edwige Fenech, George Hilton, Ivan Rassimov and Cristina Airoldi. Along the way, we will be discussing the early careers of directors Henri George Clouzot and Sergio Martino, the incredibly tense production of Les Diaboliques, Mondo movies, a real-world Italian murder case that inspired several giallo, actress Edwige Fenech, and much much more Recommendations Le Corbeau (1943) The Wages of Fear (1953) Sorcerer (1977) References Les Diaboliques by Susan Hayward - Ciné-Files French Film Guides series https://www.cinematheque.fr/article/1112.html Italian Giallo in Film and Television: A Critical History by Roberto Curti Darkening the Italian Screen: Volume One by Eugenio Ercolani So Deadly, So Perverse: Volume One by Troy Howarth International Horror Film Directors, edited by Danny Shipka and Ralph Beliveau All the Colours of Sergio Martino by Kat Ellinger The Strange Vice of Mrs Wardh blu ray (Severin Films) – interviews and extras https://www.nanarland.com/interviews/entretiens/fr/sergio-martino.html https://www.flashbackfiles.com/ernesto-gastaldi-interview https://dailygrindhouse.com/thewire/the-daily-grindhouse-chats-to-ernesto-gastaldi/ https://westernsallitaliana.blogspot.com/2019/08/interview-with-ernesto-gastldi.html?m=1 https://pochestorie.corriere.it/2017/09/11/treni-aerei-un-killer-e-una-vittima-il-delitto-fenaroli/ Instagram: @thehorrordoublebill email: thehorrordoublebill@gmail.com youtube: @thehorrordoublebill artwork by Justin Parker (IG jpkr_illustration.com)

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About

Welcome to The Horror Double Bill, the podcast where each week we pair two movies to create something far greater than the sum of their parts.  Expect discussions on shared themes, directors. writers and atmosphere, as we explore what the films say about the time they were made and our fears in the present; including social history, folklore, censorship, and a love of horror in all its forms. New episodes every Sunday.  📸 @thehorrordoublebill 📧 thehorrordoublebill@gmail.com 

Information

  • Creator
    Craig Johnson
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    63
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © 2026 The Horror Double Bill
  • Show Website
    The Horror Double Bill

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