17-Across. Specific gravity : RELATIVE DENSITY. I used to measure the specific gravity of urine when I worked in the lab, so that was all I could think of when I read the clue. Your experience may vary...
29-Across. Publicly traded investment company with a limited number of shares : CLOSED END FUND. I'll let my financial manager deal with the boring details...
45-Across. Mad man? : ALFRED E. NEUMAN. Cover boy of Mad Magazine, with the tag line "What, me worry?"
And the reveal:
58-Across. Classic children's novel, and what to look for in this puzzle's three other longest answers : THE SECRET GARDEN. EDEN is split differently in each of the three theme entries: E-DEN, ED-EN and ED-E-N. I like that in a puzzle. Here's the rest -
1. Gp. co-founded by Victor Herbert : ASCAP. No clue about Victor Herbert, but a couple perps gave me a WAG at the answer.
6. Bonkers : LOCO. and 67-Across. A bit daft : DOTTY. Not to be confused with a Mad man.
10. Harbinger : OMEN. I think of "harbinger" as foretelling something positive (like spring - is it ever going to get here?) and OMEN as something negative.
14. Cheri of "Scary Movie" : OTERI. Thank goodness I memorized this one long ago. It has saved my bacon in many a tough puzzle.
15. "... __ the dreadful thunder / Doth rend the region": "Hamlet" : ANON.
16. Gossipy Barrett : RONA. See # 14-A comment.
20. Vietnamese observance : TET. See # 14-A comment
21. Hitch : SNAG. and a semi-clecho with 34-Across. Do a hitch in the military : SERVE.
22. Vintage cars : REOS. See # 14-A comment.
23. Onetime Kenny G label : ARISTA. See # 14-A comment.
25. Play with robots : RUR. See # 14-A comment.
26. Linebacker Manti __, 2012 Heisman Trophy finalist : TEO. I guess I'll just have to memorize this one as well. (OK, I'll stop now!) (From C.C.: This guy's fake girlfriend incident must have escaped Marti. Read here.)
33. Wagner works : OPERAS. I could use my music link on this one, but I have something better in mind.
35. Put away : STOW.
38. Dove competitor : CAMAY.
40. Slangy turnarounds : UEYS. UIES is another spelling we see.
41. Settings for Manet : CAFES. Like this one.
43. Finished a flight-training requirement : SOLOED. Hi, Dudley!
48. Agnus __ : DEI. "Lamb of God" in Latin.
49. Auction ending? : EER. Auctioneer.
50. Take out : DELETE.
53. 1977 medical novel : COMA. This was Robin Cook's first major novel. I was working at the VA Hospital when it came out, and everyone had their nose in a copy during lunchtime.
55. Time of jour : SOIR. Anyone else want "heur"?
57. Baa maid? : EWE. Cute.
62. __ of Sandwich : EARL.
63. "This can't be happening!" : OH NO.
64. Script parts : LINES.
65. Additionally : ALSO.
66. E or G, e.g. : NOTE.
Down:
1. Angiogram image : AORTA.
2. Take the helm : STEER.
3. Irish musical ensemble __ Woman : CELTIC. We just watched one of their concerts the other night. But, I'm still holding on to my musical link...
4. Altar constellation : ARA.
5. Road trip refresher : PIT STOP.
6. __ lamp : LAVA.
7. Universal donor's type, briefly : O NEG.
8. Food fish : COD. It's also what you mail to your friend in Boston on their birthday.
9. Successful squeeze play result : ONE RUN. Boy, did I need an education for this one. I thought a squeeze play was when two fielders trap a runner between bases. Bzzzt! It's actually a bunt when there is a runner on third, forcing the outfielder to throw to first, while allowing the runner to make it to home plate…10-Down. "... __ they say" : OR SO.
11. What humidity measures : MOISTURE. Um, isn't it measured by a hygrometer?
12. Forest friend of Frodo : ENT. Even though Frodo himself never met them, they acted as his friends and allies.
13. Dissenting vote : NAY.
18. "Hold your horses, I'm coming" : IN A SEC.
19. Unhip types : NERDS.
24. Like right-lane traffic, usually : SLOWER. I'm a left-lane kinda girl, myself...
25. Goodwill store transaction : RESALE.
27. Green condition? : ENVY. and 44-Down. Green shade : EMERALD.
28. Laudatory verses : ODES.
30. Helpful tip for a puzzle solver? : ERASER. Cute misdirection.
31. "Behind the Candelabra" co-star : DAMON. The story of Liberace, it also starred Michael Douglas and received rave reviews.
32. Like the Middle Ages : FEUDAL.
35. Large quantity : SCAD.
36. Account : TALE.
37. Company bigwigs : OFFICERS.
39. "Get it, daddy-o?" : YOU DIG?
42. Note next to a red F, maybe : SEE ME. Uh-oh...
46. Church VIP : DEACON.
47. "You __ worry" : NEEDN'T. Let Alfred E. Neuman do that for you...
51. "Rockin' Robin" chorus word : TWEET. At last, something worth linking! Tweedle-lee-dee-dee-dee, tweedle-lee-dee-dee, tweedle-lee-dee-dee-dee, tweedle-lee-dee-dee, tweedle-lee-dee-dee-dee, tweedle-lee-dee-dee, tweet, tweet, tweet, tweet… (Aren't you glad I didn't waste my musical link on OPERAS or CELTIC Women?)
52. Itty : EENSY.
54. Peace Prize city : OSLO.
55. On its way : SENT. "The check is in the mail…"
56. Platte River tribe : OTOE.
58. Leaves in a bag : TEA.
59. Kubrick's out-of-control computer : HAL. In "2001: A Space odyssey."
60. Sigma preceder : RHO.
61. 2016 Olympics host : RIO. And they plan to hold sailing events here? Ewww...
That's it from me for this week!
Marti
