I say "sorta" because usually the vowel progression is in the answers. With this puzzle, the vowel progression is in the clues. The problem is to figure out the exact wording that the constructor used for the answers, since these are not all "in the language" phrases.
Five grid-spanners covers a lot of territory:
17-Across. BAN : LEGALLY PROHIBIT.
22-Across. BEN : SEQUEL TO WILLARD. Never saw either one - not a big fan of rats...
36-Across. BIN : TRASH RECEPTACLE.
45-Across. BON : AC/DC SINGER SCOTT. Did not know him. I was looking for something "good" in France...
53-Across. BUN : BREAD FOR A HOT DOG. Not this hairstyle?
It's only fitting that a vowel progression theme should also be a pangram, with every consonant accounted for.
Across
1. Charms : MOJOS.
6. 60-Across, e.g. : CZAR.
10. 1992 Matchbox acquirer : TYCO.
14. Candy message : I LUV U. I have been looking for this phrase on candy hearts for years, and have to say, I have never come across it.
15. Offend, in a way : REEK.
16. Old record problem : WARP. Hand up for "skip" at first?
20. '70s Sonny and Cher label : KAPP. I wanted Atco, but that was in the '60s.
21. Dramatist with three Pulitzers and three Tonys : ALBEE. None of them were for "Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf?"
28. Spiral-horned antelope : ELAND.
29. Skunk River city : AMES.
30. Tornado survivor of film : TOTO.
31. Shakespeare's "__ Andronicus" : TITUS.
33. Edwards, e.g.: Abbr. : AFB. Air Force Base.
40. Greek org. : SOR.ority.
41. Lash LaRue vehicle : OATER.
42. Branch of Islam : SHIA.
43. "Deal __ Deal" : OR NO.
44. Very long time : AEONS.
51. Eastern garment : SAREE. And a semi-clecho at 52-Across. Eastern nurse : AMAH.
60. "Terrible" ruler : IVAN. Ivan the Terrible. "Grozny" translates in English as terrible, but the Russian word actually connotes "causing great fear," or "formidable."
61. Histamine opener : ANTI. To help prevent those 33-Downs. "Gesundheit!" trigger : ACHOO. I wish I could find an antihistamine that would open my sinuses without closing my eyes!
62. Wet : RAINY.
63. Prized possessions : GEMS.
64. "Chitty Chitty Bang Bang" co-screenwriter : DAHL. Learning moment: Ian Fleming wrote the novel it was based upon.
65. Gas brand with a red-white-and-blue logo : EXXON.
Down
1. Grand squared : MIL.
2. Encouraging word : OLE. And a clecho at 50-Down. Encouraging word : RAH.
3. __ wine : JUG. [shudder!]
4. Reproductive cells : OVA.
5. Moped : SULKED.
6. Burial chamber : CRYPT.
7. Youngest Marx brother : ZEPPO.
8. __ Lingus : AER.
9. "Citizen Kane" studio : RKO.
10. Denim and chino : TWILLS.
11. Start of a '60s TV toon yell : YABBA...dabba doo!
13. Elected : OPTED.
18. California NBAers, on a scoreboard : LAL. LA Lakers.
19. Least infirm : HALEST.
22. Paving stones : SETTS. Everything you wanted to know but were afraid to ask...
23. What Mexican Olympians go for : EL ORO. "The Gold."
24. Doha is its capital : QATAR. I learned this when Doc was in Doha.
25. Pizzeria chain, familiarly : UNOS. Formally, "Pizzeria Uno" and now "Uno Chicago Grill."
26. Liquid 32-Down : WATER. And 32-Down. Solid 26-Down : ICE.
27. "My turn!" : I'M UP.
31. Grand __ National Park : TETON.
34. Spark producer : FLINT.
35. Sixth-day creation : BEAST.
37. Fooled (around) : HORSED.
38. Eastern royal : RANI.
39. "Just __!" : A SEC.
43. Loads : OCEANS.
44. One way to be washed : ASHORE.
45. Comparable to a house? : AS BIG.
46. Use a pocketknife, perhaps : CARVE. I would rather use skis.
47. Fantasize : DREAM.
48. Recurring Dana Carvey "SNL" character : GARTH.
49. Some spam : EMAIL.
54. __ diet : FAD. Another clecho at 55-down. __ diet : ON A.
56. Strain : TAX.
57. New Jersey fort : DIX. Hand up for wanting "Lee" at first?
58. Lennon collaborator : ONO.
59. Dr. for women : GYN.ecologist.
Marti, out for the count!
