Oooh fuuudggggge.
April 4, 2007 5:05 PM Subscribe
"Porky's was about anti-Semitism, about racism, it's not just about boys with erections," claims Clark. He then adds, pun intended, "It was a seminal film." Bob Clark, Director of two iconic 1980's films that profoundly impacted some of your childhoods (no doubt in decidedly different ways), and his 22 year-old son were in a fatal car crash on PCH this morning. This was set to be a promising year for the man who brought Ralphie and his bunny suit to the world. R.I.P.
I was never a fan of his other films, but A Christmas Story is a movie I've watched faithfully every year at Christmas for a very long time. Sad to see him go.
posted by saraswati at 5:12 PM on April 4, 2007 [1 favorite]
posted by saraswati at 5:12 PM on April 4, 2007 [1 favorite]
Not a big fan either but… "Nava was found to be driving under the influence of alcohol and operating a motor vehicle without a driver's license." What a complete arsehole.
posted by tellurian at 5:18 PM on April 4, 2007
posted by tellurian at 5:18 PM on April 4, 2007
the chinese restaurant scene ruled.
tis the season to be jorry
fa ra ra ra, ra ra ra ra
posted by phaedon at 5:22 PM on April 4, 2007
tis the season to be jorry
fa ra ra ra, ra ra ra ra
posted by phaedon at 5:22 PM on April 4, 2007
If I had a leg lamp, I'd light it tonight in tribute.
posted by shmegegge at 5:38 PM on April 4, 2007
posted by shmegegge at 5:38 PM on April 4, 2007
Although Bob Clark was an American, Porky's also has the distinction of being the highest grossing Canadian (produced) film of all time.
posted by teg at 5:46 PM on April 4, 2007
posted by teg at 5:46 PM on April 4, 2007
I was a teenager when the films came out, and I can still remember two scenes in theaters which had the audience laughing so hard that it was impossible to hear anything for minutes afterwards: The claymation "Large Marge" punchline in Pee Wee's Big Adventure and the "Lassie" locker room/gym scene in Porky's. Not so much the locker room itself but the people in the gym doing whatever they could to not laugh their asses off. The scene in the principal's office with the suggestion of bringing in a sketch artist was also very funny.
This is all from my fuzzy 20-years-ago memories...somehow I suspect the movie wouldn't be as funny now--damn kids on the lawn.
posted by maxwelton at 5:55 PM on April 4, 2007
This is all from my fuzzy 20-years-ago memories...somehow I suspect the movie wouldn't be as funny now--damn kids on the lawn.
posted by maxwelton at 5:55 PM on April 4, 2007
Perhaps equally important to my childhood, Clark gave Tom Savini his first job doing makeup FX on Deathdream.
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posted by Roman Graves at 5:56 PM on April 4, 2007
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posted by Roman Graves at 5:56 PM on April 4, 2007
There's a guy that sells those leg lamps if anyone wants one. He also owns the house from the movie.
posted by puke & cry at 5:57 PM on April 4, 2007 [1 favorite]
posted by puke & cry at 5:57 PM on April 4, 2007 [1 favorite]
puke & cry, that lamp link is awesome. This news, not so much.
posted by lekvar at 6:01 PM on April 4, 2007
posted by lekvar at 6:01 PM on April 4, 2007
Damn. He poked both his eyes out.
posted by loquacious at 6:14 PM on April 4, 2007
posted by loquacious at 6:14 PM on April 4, 2007
The story about the guy who bought the house is actually pretty amazing. I think he's still married...
posted by miss lynnster at 6:21 PM on April 4, 2007
posted by miss lynnster at 6:21 PM on April 4, 2007
I shall use the term "mundane noodle" with a heavy heart for the rest of my life.
posted by sleepy pete at 6:26 PM on April 4, 2007
posted by sleepy pete at 6:26 PM on April 4, 2007
Also, I always watch Porky's if I catch it on cable... it's like the 12-year-old in me takes over. It's horrible, but I can't turn it. And Black Christmas rules. RIP dear sir.
posted by sleepy pete at 6:28 PM on April 4, 2007
posted by sleepy pete at 6:28 PM on April 4, 2007
I was in Cleveland over the holidays. Just about every bar, restaurant, and gallery in Tremont had a leg lamp in the window.
posted by hydrophonic at 6:40 PM on April 4, 2007
posted by hydrophonic at 6:40 PM on April 4, 2007
A Christmas Story and how it has slipped into the American Psyche
posted by phaedon at 6:42 PM on April 4, 2007
posted by phaedon at 6:42 PM on April 4, 2007
I was just going to post this - terrible news. It's funny to watch Porky's and A Christmas Story back-to-back. They're clearly the work of the same director - it's as if Porky's is the proper sequel to A Christmas Story. RIP!
posted by ghastlyfop at 6:48 PM on April 4, 2007
posted by ghastlyfop at 6:48 PM on April 4, 2007
There was a great article in the Believer last year about Porky's and other teen sex comedies.
posted by roll truck roll at 7:03 PM on April 4, 2007 [1 favorite]
posted by roll truck roll at 7:03 PM on April 4, 2007 [1 favorite]
Crow T. Robot: Hello. Good day. Happy to see you. I, Crow T. Robot, have penned a little ditty in honor of the star of today's experiement, Kim Cattrall. It's call "Oh, Kim Cattrall" by Crow T. Robot, sung by Crow T. Robot. It's marked allegro con brio, Köchel listing 643.
Crow T. Robot: Kim Cattrall, Kim Cattrall, Kim Kim Kim Kim Kim Cattrall. You were in "Mannequin", and that was a really good movie Kim Cattrall, Kim Cattrall, Kim Cattrall, Kim Caaaattraaaaa-halll! Kim Cattrall, Kim Cattrall, Kim Cattrall, Kim Cattrall, Kim Cattrall, Kim Cattrall, Kim Kim Kim Cattrall. You've never made a bad film. Oh, What the hell, ring my bell. Let's go to The Dells. Our relationship will gel. I like your smell, you're really swell.
posted by geoff. at 7:12 PM on April 4, 2007 [1 favorite]
Crow T. Robot: Kim Cattrall, Kim Cattrall, Kim Kim Kim Kim Kim Cattrall. You were in "Mannequin", and that was a really good movie Kim Cattrall, Kim Cattrall, Kim Cattrall, Kim Caaaattraaaaa-halll! Kim Cattrall, Kim Cattrall, Kim Cattrall, Kim Cattrall, Kim Cattrall, Kim Cattrall, Kim Kim Kim Cattrall. You've never made a bad film. Oh, What the hell, ring my bell. Let's go to The Dells. Our relationship will gel. I like your smell, you're really swell.
posted by geoff. at 7:12 PM on April 4, 2007 [1 favorite]
Also the maker of:
SuperBabies: Baby Geniuses 2 (2004)
The Karate Dog (2004)
Baby Geniuses (1999)
Turk 182! (1985)
Rhinestone (1984)
*cringe*
posted by Muddler at 7:23 PM on April 4, 2007
SuperBabies: Baby Geniuses 2 (2004)
The Karate Dog (2004)
Baby Geniuses (1999)
Turk 182! (1985)
Rhinestone (1984)
*cringe*
posted by Muddler at 7:23 PM on April 4, 2007
I have to state two things.
One: About "A Christmas Story." I hated this movie. Hated hated hated hated hated this movie. Hated it. Hated every simpering stupid vacant audience-insulting moment of it. 1
Two: There are things I hate far more than this movie, such as drunk drivers, who've taken a talented director, and a human being, off the planet because they thought they had a god given right to drive. Probably thought they were an "above average" driver as well.
I'm deeply sorry for his friend and family, who will never, ever, ever again be able to tell or show him how much they loved him.
I fucking hate drunk drivers. Hate. And I say this as a guy who drinks -- but won't even fucking ride a bike short of stone sober.
On preview. What Zardoz said.
1) Yes, this rant was stolen, completely and unashamedly, from Roger Ebert's review of the horrible film "North." I still hate "A Christmas Story." The fact that "relatives" of mine insist on watching it a dozen times every "holiday" makes me wonder about this whole "genetics" thing.
posted by eriko at 7:30 PM on April 4, 2007
One: About "A Christmas Story." I hated this movie. Hated hated hated hated hated this movie. Hated it. Hated every simpering stupid vacant audience-insulting moment of it. 1
Two: There are things I hate far more than this movie, such as drunk drivers, who've taken a talented director, and a human being, off the planet because they thought they had a god given right to drive. Probably thought they were an "above average" driver as well.
I'm deeply sorry for his friend and family, who will never, ever, ever again be able to tell or show him how much they loved him.
I fucking hate drunk drivers. Hate. And I say this as a guy who drinks -- but won't even fucking ride a bike short of stone sober.
On preview. What Zardoz said.
1) Yes, this rant was stolen, completely and unashamedly, from Roger Ebert's review of the horrible film "North." I still hate "A Christmas Story." The fact that "relatives" of mine insist on watching it a dozen times every "holiday" makes me wonder about this whole "genetics" thing.
posted by eriko at 7:30 PM on April 4, 2007
Rhinestone is worth sitting through to hear Stallone mutter the line "I'm lying in the mud -- looking at ... a ... duck.".
posted by mr_crash_davis at 7:33 PM on April 4, 2007
posted by mr_crash_davis at 7:33 PM on April 4, 2007
I have to state two things:
1) I can never seem to keep myself from getting dragged into this kind of debate; and,
2) Anyone who can't see the humor in A Christmas Story should be suspected of being a replicant.
posted by spicynuts at 7:36 PM on April 4, 2007
1) I can never seem to keep myself from getting dragged into this kind of debate; and,
2) Anyone who can't see the humor in A Christmas Story should be suspected of being a replicant.
posted by spicynuts at 7:36 PM on April 4, 2007
eriko: THANK YOU! I thought I was the only person in the world that freaking hated A Christmas Story. I can't f-ing stand it. The only thing good about that movie is that one of the kids is now a porn actor.
Porky's on the other hand, could be the greatest movie of all time. I still LOVE every second of it. It's so politically incorrect in so many ways, yet its so goddamn funny. It is so good that it makes up for 10 Baby Geniuses.
I remember about 6 or 7 years ago, Porky's came on TV. Neither my roommate nor I had seen the film in at least 10-15 years. We were both in the early-mid 20s post-college slump: single, working crappy jobs, social lives had taken a bit of a nosedive since graduation. Watching those kids and their wacky misadventures, it was like a B-12 injection into life. My roommate, about 2/3 of the way through the movie, just blurted out, "Jesus, I wish I could trade lives with these kids!" They had crazy sex romps, run-ins with crazy rednecks, fights, parties, practical jokes, and all kinds of other insane shit. It was AWESOME. Hell, even Porky's II is pretty damn bad-ass.
And to think a douche like Howard Stern is going to try to remake it. Sad.
Oh well, this is all just to say that while Bob Clark may have only done 1 truly great movie (imho), it was enough to immortalize him.
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posted by papakwanz at 7:41 PM on April 4, 2007
Porky's on the other hand, could be the greatest movie of all time. I still LOVE every second of it. It's so politically incorrect in so many ways, yet its so goddamn funny. It is so good that it makes up for 10 Baby Geniuses.
I remember about 6 or 7 years ago, Porky's came on TV. Neither my roommate nor I had seen the film in at least 10-15 years. We were both in the early-mid 20s post-college slump: single, working crappy jobs, social lives had taken a bit of a nosedive since graduation. Watching those kids and their wacky misadventures, it was like a B-12 injection into life. My roommate, about 2/3 of the way through the movie, just blurted out, "Jesus, I wish I could trade lives with these kids!" They had crazy sex romps, run-ins with crazy rednecks, fights, parties, practical jokes, and all kinds of other insane shit. It was AWESOME. Hell, even Porky's II is pretty damn bad-ass.
And to think a douche like Howard Stern is going to try to remake it. Sad.
Oh well, this is all just to say that while Bob Clark may have only done 1 truly great movie (imho), it was enough to immortalize him.
.
posted by papakwanz at 7:41 PM on April 4, 2007
Yikes.
"A Christmas Story" is the only movie that ever made my dad laugh so hard he cried.
And my dad is not a big laugher.
I'm not going to tell him about this.
posted by Dizzy at 7:41 PM on April 4, 2007
"A Christmas Story" is the only movie that ever made my dad laugh so hard he cried.
And my dad is not a big laugher.
I'm not going to tell him about this.
posted by Dizzy at 7:41 PM on April 4, 2007
About "A Christmas Story." I hated this movie. Hated hated hated hated hated this movie. Hated it.
I haven't seen the movie in ages, but I still have a fondness for it.
Part of that fondness, however, might be that every time I hear about a Christmas movie I think of the scene from "Better Off Dead," where Lane's mom is dressed in full reindeer garb watching him unwrap TV dinners, which is the best scene from any movie taking place around Christmas, EVAR (OK, maybe, "Yippee-ki-yay, motherfucker," deserves an honorable mention.)
It's corn. You like corn.
posted by Cyrano at 7:54 PM on April 4, 2007
I haven't seen the movie in ages, but I still have a fondness for it.
Part of that fondness, however, might be that every time I hear about a Christmas movie I think of the scene from "Better Off Dead," where Lane's mom is dressed in full reindeer garb watching him unwrap TV dinners, which is the best scene from any movie taking place around Christmas, EVAR (OK, maybe, "Yippee-ki-yay, motherfucker," deserves an honorable mention.)
It's corn. You like corn.
posted by Cyrano at 7:54 PM on April 4, 2007
Yes, if you want to see my dad laugh his ass off, put A Christmas Story on during christmas and watch a grown man have a good hard belly laugh.
posted by nola at 7:57 PM on April 4, 2007
posted by nola at 7:57 PM on April 4, 2007
Porky's II is a strange, strange film. I mean, the whole gang tries to get laid and all that jazz, but they also put on a medley of Shakespeare scenes, and there's a debate between a principal and a preacher about the reletive dirtiness of the Bard and the Bible. A pretty good debate, I might add.
posted by Bookhouse at 8:02 PM on April 4, 2007
posted by Bookhouse at 8:02 PM on April 4, 2007
This is sad news. I like a number of this man's films, and I've never seen this Christmas Story film.
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posted by Goofyy at 9:08 PM on April 4, 2007
.
posted by Goofyy at 9:08 PM on April 4, 2007
I don't have anything to add to the conversation except, damn Miss Lynnster, you are the most prolific and varied poster and I always, always enjoy your posts! I am a long time lurker and finally became a member a few weeks ago. You make me, well I want to say afraid to do an FPP, but instead I will say I want to be as good as you are at this. Thanks!
posted by Belle O'Cosity at 9:18 PM on April 4, 2007
posted by Belle O'Cosity at 9:18 PM on April 4, 2007
eriko: THANK YOU! I thought I was the only person in the world that freaking hated A Christmas Story. I can't f-ing stand it...
posted by papakwanz
Some people hate the beatles, van gogh, candy, did you really think you were a special snow flake?
On topic, other than photographs A Christmas Story best represents what christmas meant to me as a child growing up in my family. It's as much a part of my christmas tradition as a tree or hanging stockings.
Thank you Bob Clark.
posted by justgary at 9:25 PM on April 4, 2007 [1 favorite]
posted by papakwanz
Some people hate the beatles, van gogh, candy, did you really think you were a special snow flake?
On topic, other than photographs A Christmas Story best represents what christmas meant to me as a child growing up in my family. It's as much a part of my christmas tradition as a tree or hanging stockings.
Thank you Bob Clark.
posted by justgary at 9:25 PM on April 4, 2007 [1 favorite]
Wow. Thanks.
I've been pretty constantly avoiding doing work/taxes lately so I've been posting more. Ahhh, but soon I'll have to get off my butt & concentrate. And when I do, I shall pass the baton to you to carry on my legacy, belle. I know you'll do me proud, grasshopper. :)
posted by miss lynnster at 9:28 PM on April 4, 2007
I've been pretty constantly avoiding doing work/taxes lately so I've been posting more. Ahhh, but soon I'll have to get off my butt & concentrate. And when I do, I shall pass the baton to you to carry on my legacy, belle. I know you'll do me proud, grasshopper. :)
posted by miss lynnster at 9:28 PM on April 4, 2007
o
posted by Heywood Mogroot at 9:30 PM on April 4, 2007
posted by Heywood Mogroot at 9:30 PM on April 4, 2007
.
The man also made Tribute (with Jack Lemmon and Robbie Benson and Kim Catrall) which I really liked as a kid. Sad to see it's not on dvd.
posted by mer2113 at 9:35 PM on April 4, 2007
The man also made Tribute (with Jack Lemmon and Robbie Benson and Kim Catrall) which I really liked as a kid. Sad to see it's not on dvd.
posted by mer2113 at 9:35 PM on April 4, 2007
Porky's was released while I was in junior high and I was a huge cheesy horror movie fan in high school, so for a while I thought Bob Clark was the perfect director. I don't think I've ever laughed as hard as a movie as I did when I saw Porky's, it was the perfect movie for my age.
Some of his stuff was as good as pop movies get, others were just god-awful. While I wish he had done more of the former, his good stuff will entertain me to my dying day.
posted by beowulf573 at 10:16 PM on April 4, 2007
Some of his stuff was as good as pop movies get, others were just god-awful. While I wish he had done more of the former, his good stuff will entertain me to my dying day.
posted by beowulf573 at 10:16 PM on April 4, 2007
And of course, the drunk driver is fine. Fucking figures.
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posted by Civil_Disobedient at 11:22 PM on April 4, 2007
.
posted by Civil_Disobedient at 11:22 PM on April 4, 2007
More magic!
(God, was there nothing better than going to a movie like this with a group of your buddies back in high school?)
posted by maxwelton at 1:20 AM on April 5, 2007
(God, was there nothing better than going to a movie like this with a group of your buddies back in high school?)
posted by maxwelton at 1:20 AM on April 5, 2007
.
posted by disillusioned at 5:06 AM on April 5, 2007
posted by disillusioned at 5:06 AM on April 5, 2007
My heart goes out to the man and his family. A Christmas Story will always be the best Christmas movie ever!
posted by digiFramph at 6:49 AM on April 5, 2007
posted by digiFramph at 6:49 AM on April 5, 2007
Hell, even Porky's II is pretty damn bad-ass.
No kidding. It definitely provided my first inkling that Shakespeare could be pretty fucking cool.
posted by COBRA! at 6:57 AM on April 5, 2007
No kidding. It definitely provided my first inkling that Shakespeare could be pretty fucking cool.
posted by COBRA! at 6:57 AM on April 5, 2007
This weekend, for Easter, the guy who owns the Christmas Story house is doing live Easter Bunny stuff using the bunny suit from the movie...
posted by bitter-girl.com at 7:56 AM on April 5, 2007
posted by bitter-girl.com at 7:56 AM on April 5, 2007
...Christmas Story house is doing live deranged Easter Bunny stuff... (Fixed that for you)
posted by miss lynnster at 8:59 AM on April 5, 2007
posted by miss lynnster at 8:59 AM on April 5, 2007
The connecton btwn the late actress Adrienne Shelly and Bob Clark will slay you liberals.
posted by doctorschlock at 9:36 AM on April 5, 2007
posted by doctorschlock at 9:36 AM on April 5, 2007
.
And my mind is boggling at the fact that there are people who don't find "A Christmas Story" funny. If you don't like a Christmas Story, what's you're idea of a really funny movie? (Not being snotty, I swear. It just would be interesting to know if you are, in fact, a replicant as spicy nuts suspects.)
posted by Jess the Mess at 9:37 AM on April 5, 2007
And my mind is boggling at the fact that there are people who don't find "A Christmas Story" funny. If you don't like a Christmas Story, what's you're idea of a really funny movie? (Not being snotty, I swear. It just would be interesting to know if you are, in fact, a replicant as spicy nuts suspects.)
posted by Jess the Mess at 9:37 AM on April 5, 2007
The connecton btwn the late actress Adrienne Shelly and Bob Clark will slay you liberals.
Don't be coy. What've you got?
posted by COBRA! at 9:42 AM on April 5, 2007
Don't be coy. What've you got?
posted by COBRA! at 9:42 AM on April 5, 2007
Clearly, miss lynnster. Clearly. ;)
posted by bitter-girl.com at 9:45 AM on April 5, 2007
posted by bitter-girl.com at 9:45 AM on April 5, 2007
unlicensed!
posted by doctorschlock at 10:15 AM on April 5, 2007
posted by doctorschlock at 10:15 AM on April 5, 2007
.
posted by any major dude at 11:00 AM on April 5, 2007
posted by any major dude at 11:00 AM on April 5, 2007
I grew up in Hammond, Indiana, a depressed rust-belt dump sandwiched between the landfills and steel mills of Chicago's far, far, far south side and the ... delights ... of Gary. Our two claims to fame were, first, that the "Roebuck" or "Sears and Roebuck" was from there, and second, Jean Shepherd, a brilliant humorist who set all his stories in Hammond (well, "Hohman," which is the name of the main drag downtown and was, in fact, the original name of Hammond). A Christmas Story might have been filmed in Cleveland, but it's set (obliquely I know) in Hammond. I don't have anything funny or insightful to say about this- just that it's always cool having grown up in a hopeless nowhere like Hammond to see people who grew up solidly middle and upper-middle class in places like Lake Forest and Beaverton and Cherry Hill wax nostalgic for my Lumpenproletariat upbringing.
posted by ethnomethodologist at 11:15 AM on April 5, 2007
posted by ethnomethodologist at 11:15 AM on April 5, 2007
I am sorry for the director ... nthing the "fucking drunk drivers" fury.
As a complete sidetrack answer: Jess the Mess -- I can't stand "A Christmas Story" either.* I would have to say the funniest movie I've ever seen is "Raising Arizona."
* Although my younger sister absolutely loves it, dearly, and thus I like it and this director because it makes her happy.
posted by theredpen at 11:31 AM on April 5, 2007
As a complete sidetrack answer: Jess the Mess -- I can't stand "A Christmas Story" either.* I would have to say the funniest movie I've ever seen is "Raising Arizona."
* Although my younger sister absolutely loves it, dearly, and thus I like it and this director because it makes her happy.
posted by theredpen at 11:31 AM on April 5, 2007
The connecton btwn the late actress Adrienne Shelly and Bob Clark will slay you liberals.
So Shelley was killed by an illegal immigrant, but all we have so far is that the unlicensed drunk in the Clark case has an Hispanic name. Where you goin' with this, Jethro? [NOT RACISTIST]
posted by dhartung at 11:38 AM on April 5, 2007
So Shelley was killed by an illegal immigrant, but all we have so far is that the unlicensed drunk in the Clark case has an Hispanic name. Where you goin' with this, Jethro? [NOT RACISTIST]
posted by dhartung at 11:38 AM on April 5, 2007
I'm just saying that it's more likely that the guy was an illegal since he was in a sanctuary city, 24 years of age, hispanic name, and unlicensed.
posted by doctorschlock at 11:48 AM on April 5, 2007
posted by doctorschlock at 11:48 AM on April 5, 2007
I'm just saying that it's more likely that the guy was an illegal since he was in a sanctuary city, 24 years of age, hispanic name, and unlicensed.
Jesus Christ.
posted by maxwelton at 1:35 PM on April 5, 2007
Jesus Christ.
posted by maxwelton at 1:35 PM on April 5, 2007
I'm just saying that it's more likely that the guy was an illegal since he was in a sanctuary city, 24 years of age, hispanic name, and unlicensed.
Dude, does that really matter right now?
posted by Snyder at 1:45 PM on April 5, 2007
Dude, does that really matter right now?
posted by Snyder at 1:45 PM on April 5, 2007
Undocumented Mexicans are killing people & winning the lottery. Documented Americans are doing charity work and rescuing homeless puppies. It's all so clear, people.
posted by miss lynnster at 2:25 PM on April 5, 2007 [2 favorites]
posted by miss lynnster at 2:25 PM on April 5, 2007 [2 favorites]
All jokes aside. Rest in peace, Bob. I'm no hispanic hater.
Documented American having fun with stats.
You must be a U.S resident to apply.
posted by doctorschlock at 2:41 PM on April 5, 2007
Documented American having fun with stats.
You must be a U.S resident to apply.
posted by doctorschlock at 2:41 PM on April 5, 2007
the "Lassie" locker room/gym scene in Porky's
Huh, what? ...oh. Rats.
posted by Wolfdog at 5:04 PM on April 5, 2007
Huh, what? ...oh. Rats.
posted by Wolfdog at 5:04 PM on April 5, 2007
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posted by miss lynnster at 5:07 PM on April 4, 2007