Theme: What to wear - Three different dresses start the three theme entries.
17A. Four-to-midnight production overseer, say : SHIFT SUPERVISOR
26A. Dead battery hookup : JUMPER CABLE
43A. Encased dagger : SHEATH KNIFE Wiki link for definition.
56A. Dry runs, and a hint to the starts of 17-, 26- and 43-Across : DRESS REHEARSALS
Argyle here. Two grid spanners on a Monday is impressive. Easy peasey with some fun clues. Some possible theme related entries I will highlight.
Across:
1. Trot or gallop : PACE
5. Home with a domed roof : IGLOO
10. Stylish : CHIC
14. Earth Day sci. : ECOL. (ecology) and 52D. Earth sci. : GEOL. (geology)
15. Playground chute : SLIDE
16. Avatar of Vishnu : RAMA. Vishnu has many avatars, Rama is one of the main ten (Dashavatara).
20. Bill of Rights amendment count : TEN. Connection?
21. "Les Misérables" author Victor : HUGO
22. Parisian love : AMOUR
23. "What __ the odds?" : ARE
24. In liberal amounts : APLENTY
31. Get hitched in a hurry : ELOPE
32. Without warning : ALL AT ONCE
37. Unload for cash : SELL
38. Colorado ski city : ASPEN
39. Secure in the harbor : MOOR
40. Mind readers : TELEPATHS
42. Luxurious bedding material : SATIN
45. Popular restaurant fish : SEA BASS
49. 18-Down, on a sundial : III. 18-Down. Midafternoon hour : THREE
50. Shoreline feature : INLET
51. Stare at impolitely : OGLE
53. Time Warner "Superstation" : TBS. (Turner Broadcasting System)
60. Clumsy one : LOUT
61. Mail for King Arthur : ARMOR. A type of dress, in the broad sense.
62. Wrinkle remover : IRON. King Arthur would need a hammer to get the wrinkles out of his dress.
63. MDs for otitis sufferers : ENT's. (ear, nose, and throat) Otitis is inflammation of the ear.
64. With tongue in cheek : WRYLY
65. Maddens with reminders : NAGS
Down:
1. Bothersome insect : PEST
2. Exercise woe : ACHE
3. Nickel or dime : COIN
4. Tiny toymaker : ELF. The North Pole is hiring.
5. Periodical publisher : ISSUER
6. Sound from a water cooler : [GLUG]
7. Fat-reducing procedure, briefly : LIPO. (liposuction)
8. Poem of praise : ODE
9. "__ the ramparts ..." : O'ER
10. Punishment's partner : CRIME. "Crime and Punishment" is a novel by the Russian author Fyodor Dostoyevsky. It was first published in 1866.
11. Is wearing : HAS ON
12. Poker concession : "I'M OUT". The bettor's money stays in the pot, however.
13. Have in stock : CARRY
19. __ parking : VALET
23. Winesap, e.g. : APPLE. Info
24. Most capable : ABLEST
25. Draw up a schedule for : PLAN
26. Kid around : JEST
27. Oscar-nominated Peter Fonda role : ULEE. "Ulee's Gold" (1997)
28. "__ Flanders": Defoe novel : MOLL. The Fortunes & Misfortunes of the Famous Moll Flanders &c. Who was Born in Newgate, and during a Life of continu'd Variety for Threescore Years, besides her Childhood, was Twelve Year a Whore, five times a Wife (whereof once to her own Brother), Twelve Year a Thief, Eight Year a Transported Felon in Virginia, at last grew Rich, liv'd Honest, and dies a Penitent. Written from her own Memorandums …
29. Social divisions : CASTES
30. Wolf pack leader : ALPHA. I spent time trying to think of the word used for Cub Scout den leader.
33. Muscat resident : OMANI. Muscat is the capital of Oman.
34. "Surely you don't mean me" : "NOT I"
35. Hairdo : COIF
36. Seaside swooper : ERNE. (sea eagle)
38. Contented sounds : AAHs
41. Exams for sophs or jrs. : PSAT's
42. Winter Olympics entrant : SKIER
44. Swank of "Amelia" : HILARY
45. Move furtively : SIDLE
46. Scandalous newsmaker of 2001-'02 : ENRON
47. Alaskan native : ALEUT
48. Outplays : BESTS
51. "Goodness gracious!" : "OH, MY!"
53. O'Hara homestead : TARA. In "Gone with the Wind"
54. Opinion website : BLOG
55. IRS form entries : SSN's
57. Inexperienced, as recruits : RAW
58. Go wrong : ERR
59. Moral wrong : SIN
Argyle
Notes from C.C:
Here is a photo of Windhover (Larry) taken on August 15th, 2012 at his 50th high school reunion. He looks so mellowed.
I think this is the picture that made Annette (or is it Hahtool?) want to ride in his bike. Very rugged.
