Theme: It was so cold ... - three dogs were allowed on the bed. The band's name is explained here.
20A. Golfer's gadget used at the edge of water hazards : BALL RETRIEVER
34A. Early leader in a race : PACE SETTER
43A. Pelvic contusion : HIP POINTER
55A. "Joy to the World" group, and based on the ends of 20-, 34- and 43-Across, what you're having if you solve this puzzle after dark? : THREE DOG NIGHT
Argyle here. Hard G and C.C. have gone to the dogs. Not just any dogs but a tight group of sporting dogs. There is a wide spread in the fill to keep it interesting. I hope you were able to fetch all the answers.
Across:
1. Coal holders : BINS
5. "The Censor" of Rome : CATO. There is Cato the Elder and Cato the Younger; you can guess which one was "The Censor".
9. Hiked, as prices : UPPED. Can you say "gas prices"?
14. Australian golfer __ Scott : ADAM. He was involved with that incident where Tiger fired his caddy.
15. Most fit for duty : ONE A
16. Emma Roberts, to Julia : NIECE. Here as a blonde.
17. Pass catchers : RECEIVERS
19. Company that ironically had a crooked E in its logo : ENRON
22. 10-Down substance used in roofing : TAR and 10D. Tree with needles : PINE. I knew it was used on bats.
23. Salinger title girl : ESMÉ. "For Esmé – with Love and Squalor"
24. Sumac of Peru : YMA
27. Cries of pain : OWs
30. Little rascal : IMP
32. How animals boarded the ark : IN TWOS
38. Cries of surprise : OHO'S
39. "__ Were the Days" : THOSE
40. __ Intrepid : USS
41. Curing solution : BRINE
42. Watches a kid for cash : SITS
45. Form 1040 data : INCOME
47. Many moons: Abbr. : YRs. (years)
48. Erie summer hrs. : EDT. (Eastern Daylight Time)
49. Bk. before Esther : NEH. (Nehemiah)
50. "__ la Douce" : IRMA. Starring Jack Lemmon, Shirley MacLaine(1963)
53. Extremely long time : EON
61. Way up : STAIR
63. Deceived : LED ASTRAY
64. Duplicate, briefly : REPRO
65. Bath, in Bordeaux : BAIN. French.
66. Wyatt at the O.K. Corral : EARP
67. Look of disdain : SNEER
68. Pisa's river : ARNO
69. Portly Jolly Roger pirate : SMEE
Down:
1. Wire fence point : BARB
2. It's all in your head : IDEA
3. Salt, to a chemist : NACL
4. Silvery food fish : SMELT
5. Oater hero's request when entering the fray : "COVER ME!"
6. Work without __ : A NET
7. Land in Paris : TERRE. More French.
8. Desert refuge : OASIS
9. In need of leveling : UNEVEN
11. Daily Planet editor : PERRY WHITE. He was always telling Jimmy Olsen, "Don't call me chief!"
12. Prefix with system : ECO
13. Room with a remote : DEN
18. Call from one who more than calls? : "I RAISE"
21. Arab commander : EMIR
25. Gazed dreamily : MOONED. Let the DF comments begin.
26. Declare : ASSERT
27. Decides to join : OPTS IN
28. Hula dancer, often : WAHINE. Often the clue, seldom the answer.
29. Present wrapper's aid : SCOTCH TAPE
31. Spitting sound : "PTUI!". "Pardon me"
33. In tatters : TORN
35. Pump sign on the Alcan highway : ESSO. Better gas up when you have a chance.
36. Recipe meas. : TSP.
37. Make out : ESPY
41. Buffalo's minor league baseball team : BISONS
43. "Take this" : "HERE"
44. Pizza herb : OREGANO
46. "Snow White" fairness judge : MIRROR
51. Toast type : MELBA
52. "Be __ ...": start of a polite request : A DEAR
54. Evenings, in ads : NITES
56. Add to the work force : HIRE
57. Viking war god : ODIN. Thor was his son.
58. Protein unit : GRAM
59. Fabled slacker : HARE
60. Make words using keys : TYPE
61. Many retd. boomers : SRs. (seniors)
62. Farthest-right bowling pin : TEN
Argyle
Note from C.C.:
Note from C.C.:
Don came up with this idea after adopting his two dogs Pansie & Cosmos. We originally had SACAGAWEA for 55A & IT'S I for 31D. Rich felt that SACAGAWEA was not Monday/Tuesday friendly and IT'S I overly contrived. So we went through a couple revisions.