Theme: Hidden Gun Emplacements - Your mission is to locate the camouflaged anti-aircraft guns(ACK-ACKs) in the four longest entries. Good luck.
17A. Donald Duck's title adventures, in a '90s Disney series : QUACK ATTACK. Donald's Quack Attack was a television series on the Disney Channel (later rerun on Toon Disney) which ran from 1992 to 1994, and featured Disney animated short films, especially those with Mickey Mouse, Donald Duck, and Goofy. Each episode lasted about 28 minutes, leaving about 2 minutes for commercials. Per Wiki
31A. Retrace one's steps : BACKTRACK
44A. Lunch box pudding brand : SNACK PACK
57A. Expert : CRACKERJACK. This term dates back to the late 1800's, and means "superb" or "excellent". In 1896 the name was trademarked (as CRACKER JACK) for the caramel popcorn product. In 1908 Jack Norworth wrote the lyrics for Take Me Out to the Ballgame, which mentioned the name of the candy propelling it to fame. This song is now sung during seventh inning stretches at baseball games. Wiki article here.
Argyle here. This appears to be a debut puzzle from Gerry. While I liked the theme there were 26 three-letter entries, some crosswordese and some entries that for those just starting out may not get.
Across:
1. Info in a folder : FILE
5. Mystical secrets : ARCANA
11. Polynesian paste : POI
14. Prayer ender : AMEN
15. Mazda roadsters : MIATAs
16. Landers with advice : ANN
19. Vigor : PEP
20. Ten Commandments verb : SHALT
21. The house, to José : LA CASA
23. __ pig: experiment subject : GUINEA
27. Hallway : FOYER
28. West Coast capital : SALEM. (Oregon)
33. Lament for Yorick : "ALAS". Hamlet, Act 5, Scene 1: "Alas, poor Yorick! I knew him, Horatio: a fellow of infinite jest, of most excellent fancy"
34. Pan-cooked in oil, say : SAUTEED
35. Reach one's limit on, as a credit card, with "out" : MAX
36. Heavy wts. : TN's. Now that is just being silly, you don't need to abbreviate TON.
37. Pres. or gov. : LDR. (leader)
38. Fell with an axe : HEW
41. Luau cocktails : MAI TAIs
43. Galileo launcher: Abbr. : NASA
47. Emcees : HOSTS
48. "Dog the Bounty Hunter" channel : A AND E
49. __ Pieces : REESE'S
51. H.S. class with microscopes : BIO LAB
53. Jenna, to Jeb : NIECE. Bush. Family pic.
56. Ancient : OLD
62. Casual shirt : TEE
63. Like some Coast Guard rescues : AIR/SEA
64. Native Nebraskan : OTOE. Indians.
65. Disruptive '60s campus gp. : SDS. (Students for a Democratic Society)
66. "__: rewind": VCR rental reminder : BE KIND
67. Skinny : BONY. Bony Maronie.(3:07)
Down:
1. Website info source : FAQ
2. Don of talk radio : IMUS. Now in syndication through Citadel Broadcasting after being fired by CBS.
3. Jacob's first wife : LEAH
4. Confines, as a pet bird : ENCAGES
5. Violin maker Nicolò : AMATI. Italian luthier (1596 – 1684)
6. Slowing, in mus. : RIT. (ritardando) Italian terms for change in tempo.
7. Siamese or Burmese : CAT
8. __ loss for words : AT A
9. Most common food additive, to a chemist : NaCL. (salt)
10. Inquire about : ASK AFTER
11. Tropical fruit : PAPAYA
12. "Almost ready!" : "ONE SEC!". not "in a sec"
13. Garaged for the night, gearwise : IN PARK
18. Heidi of "Project Runway" : KLUM. Television series on Lifetime Television, previously on the Bravo network. Heidi
22. Light rope : CORD
24. Jeremy Lin or Kobe Bryant, e.g. : NBA STAR
25. __ de Cologne : EAU
26. Imitate : ACT LIKE
28. "Casablanca" pianist : SAM
29. Chicken __ king : À LA
30. Southern Cal. airport : LAX. (L.A. International Airport)
32. Popular sneakers : KEDS
34. Barbershop sound : SNIP
36. Eschew the subway and bus : TAKE A CAB
38. Owns : HAS
39. N.Y. clock setting : EST. but not at this time.
40. Used to be : WAS
41. 1450, in old Rome : MCDL. Hey! That's what I have; motorcycle and commercial driver license.
42. Get an "A" on : ACE
43. Rhinoplasty : NOSE JOB. We had rhinitis yesterday. [from Greek rhis, rhin: indicating the nose or nasal]
44. Wooden shoes : SABOTS. Wha...??
45. Got an "A" on : NAILED
46. Battery terminals : ANODEs
47. Estate beneficiary : HEIR
50. Three-time Masters winner Sam : SNEAD. Yesterday's finish wasn't great but the potential for greatness kept me glued to the set.
52. Soft French cheese : BRIE
54. "Elder" or "Younger" Roman statesman : CATO
55. Financial subj. : ECON. (economy)
58. Noah's refuge : ARK
59. CBS forensic series : CSI
60. Barbie's boyfriend : KEN
61. Phi Beta Kappa symbol : KEY
Argyle
