Theme: ROAR! - A set of four lions but don't be scared; they are encircled.
16-Across. "Is that your __?": "Who Wants to Be a Millionaire?" inquiry: FINAL ANSWER. Nala, from The Lion King.
10-Down. Quaint light during a power outage: GAS LANTERN. Aslan, from The Chronicles of Narnia series.
61-Across. Colorful burger topper: PURPLE ONION. Leo, mascot of MGM.
28-Down. Secure places for guests' valuables: HOTEL SAFES. Elsa, from Born Free.
36-Down. Hostile place ... and where to find the circled animals in this puzzle: LIONS DEN
Argyle here with a classic pinwheel from C.C., very Monday friendly. All theme entries span two words. A vertical reveal, if you needed it. If you didn't have circles, you probably did.
Across:
1. Party thrower: HOST
5. Seasoned rice dish: PILAF
10. Practical joke: GAG
13. Classroom "I know this one!": "OH!, OH!"
14. Sandwich chain known for artisan bread: PANERA
15. "__ you kidding?": ARE
18. Moral wrong: SIN
19. Blender brand with an -izer product suffix: OSTER. Osterizer but their web site only calls them Oster® Blenders.
20. Spam container: TIN
21. Board in a window shutter: SLAT
22. Amazon: Alexa :: Apple: __: SIRI
24. Malia Obama's sister: SASHA
26. Canyon feedback: ECHO
29. Surg. facilities: ORs. (operating rooms)
31. Touch of color: TINCT. Got me, tried TINGE.
34. Request for eye contact: "LOOK AT ME!". More often a demand.
36. Utterly detest: LOATHE
37. Acct. earnings: INT. (interest)
38. Start of a formal letter: DEAR SIR
40. Shade tree: ELM
41. Time-tested: AGE OLD
43. Library return spot: BOOK DROP
45. Nick of "A Walk in the Woods": NOLTE. A Walk in the Woods, a 2015 film by Ken Kwapis, based a 1998 book by Bill Bryson. Two friends attempt to hike the Appalachian Trail..
46. __-dried tomatoes: SUN
47. Bills in a tip jar: ONEs
48. Remove sheets from, as a bed: STRIP
51. Tiny time meas.: PSEC. picosecond - one trillionth of a second.
53. "See ya, Luigi": "CIAO"
55. Alumna bio word: NÉE
57. Monopoly cards: DEEDS
60. Punch-in-the-gut reaction: [OOF!]
64. Broke a fast: ATE
65. Annual golf or tennis tournament: US OPEN
66. "Yay me!": "TA-DA!"
67. "Viva __ Vegas": LAS
68. All wound up: TENSE
69. Thick cut of meat: SLAB
Down:
1. Sports inst. in Cooperstown: HOF.(Hall of Fame)
2. Akron's state: OHIO
3. Family boys: SONS
4. "Don't sweat it": "THAT'S OK"
5. Omelet cooker: PAN
6. The "I" in MIT: Abbr.: INST. (Massachusetts Institute of Technology)
7. Novelist C.S. __: LEWIS. Author of The Chronicles of Narnia series.
8. Concert venue: ARENA
9. In the distance: FAR
11. Diva's solo: ARIA
12. Courteous fellow: GENT
14. Repeated mindlessly: PARROTED
17. Flower wreath: LEI
21. Muslim denomination: SHIA
23. "__ la Douce": IRMA
25. Bird on birth announcements: STORK
26. González in 2000 headlines: ELIAN. The young boy embroiled in a heated international custody and immigration controversy. Wiki
27. Second longest African river: CONGO
30. Belgrade natives: SERBS
33. Weather numbers, briefly: TEMPs
35. Psychologist Alfred: ADLER. Founder of the school of individual psychology.
39. Salad go-with: SOUP
42. "Beetle Bailey" dog: OTTO
44. Museum guides: DOCENTs
49. Unavailable at the moment: [IN USE]
50. Evita's married name: PERON
52. Fair-hiring abbr.: EEO. (Equal Employment Opportunity)
53. Stuff for Frosty's eyes: COAL. the Snowman.
54. Greek "i": IOTA
56. "Almost Christmas" actor Omar: EPPS. Almost Christmas is a 2016 American Christmas comedy-drama film written and directed by David E. Talbert and starring Kimberly Elise, Mo'Nique, Nicole Ari Parker, Gabrielle Union, Keri Hilson, Jessie Usher, Danny Glover, Omar Epps, John Michael Higgins, D.C. Young Fly and Romany Malco. The film follows a dysfunctional family that comes together for the holidays for the first time since their mother's death. Wiki.
58. Rotary phone part: DIAL
59. Coke or ginger ale: SODA
61. __ up with: tolerate: PUT
62. Director Spike: LEE
63. Arrest: NAB
Argyle
