Sunday July 25, 2021 Tony Caruso & C.C. Burnikel

 Theme:  "Call Up"- Seven different types of phone goes up in the grid.

 3D. Amusement park pickup areas: TRAM STOPS. Smartphone.

 5D. Cooper classic: THE LAST OF THE MOHICANS. Home phone.

 11D. Striped walkways: ZEBRA CROSSINGS. Car phone.

 15D. Sweet snacks on sticks: CANDY APPLES. Pay phone.

 21D. "Absolutely!": THERE'S NO DOUBT ABOUT IT. Bat phone.

 55D. Best Actor role for Anthony Hopkins: HANNIBAL LECTER. Cellphone.

 71D. "That's not news to me": I'M WELL AWARE. Wall phone.

Reveal:

86D. Motorola Razr, e.g., and a hint to each set of circles: FLIP PHONE.

Tony Caruso is the beloved Anonymous-T on our blog. He came up with this idea a few years ago, but we could not make it happen. We still had trouble with the SMART/HOME choices this time around, but we came up with a good set.

Rich changed our 107A from IDA to IRA, otherwise, the grid is just what we sent in. As always, some of the great clues are Rich's. 
 

Can't wait for Tony to retire so he can dedicate more to crossword-making or blog for us occasionally.

Tony with his Alfa Romeo Spider

Across:

1. Club alternatives: BLTS. Tony is a foodie. You can find some of his recipe here on our blog.

5. Word often after an "-er" word: THAN. Larger THAN life.

9. Adjusted to fit, as a ring: SIZED.

14. Future doc's hurdle: MCAT.

18. Mark replacement: EURO. Deutsche Mark.

19. Upbeat greeting: HI HO. We just had "Kermi' intro".

20. One's due: CREDIT.

22. Going rate: PACE.

23. Sweet Sixteen org.: NCAA.

24. Jacob's brother: ESAU.

25. Unexpected attack: AMBUSH. I'm now confused after reading your comments on SIEGE.

26. Pot builder: ANTE.

27. Distressed ones in some fairy tales: DAMSELS. Tony had ["They're "distressed" in cartoons]

29. Sun, for one: G STAR.

31. Pale green glaze that originated in China: CELADON. So pretty.

33. Adoption candidate, maybe: STRAY CAT. Rich's clue.

35. Antonio's love: AMORE. Guess what our original clue is?

37. Timeline divs.: YRS.

38. Seminole rivals, in college sports: GATORS.

40. Simpson trial judge: ITO.

41. Signature Obama legis.: ACA.

42. James played by Beyoncé in "Cadillac Records": ETTA.

44. "Mr. Blue Sky" rock gp.: ELO.

45. Inventor who had his ups and downs: OTIS. Tony had [Lift letters?]

47. Victory wreaths: LAURELS.

50. Wall St. debuts: IPOS.

53. PGA leaders, say: TOP PROS. Do you like Bryson DeChambeau? Boomer is not a fan.

55. Whacked at, as left field: HIT TO.

56. Stuck: IN A SPOT.

58. Slangy meeting: SESH. Session.

59. Bug with bounce: FLEA. Tony had the cute [Insect seldom seen at the market].

61. Requirements: MUST DOS.

63. EWR alternative: LGA.

64. Summer temp, maybe: INTERN.

66. Sch. with the mascot Sparty: MSU.

67. Sup at home: DINE IN.

69. 1862 Tennessee battle site: SHILOH.

72. Luanda is its cap.: ANG. Angola. We just had the Ang Lee angle.

74. Minor issue: NIT.

75. Ric of The Cars: OCASEK. Here with his then happy wife.

76. "Who wants cake?" eager reply: ME ME ME.

77. Polite title: SIR.

78. Easy, in ads: NO FUSS.

80. "That's so cute!": AWW.

81. Slide organisms: AMOEBAE.

84. Take suddenly: GRAB.

85. Pickable do: AFRO. Boomer wants to emulate Kyle Troup's routine. So I got him an Afro pick.

89. Second-marriage relationship: STEPSON.

91. "Et __?": "And then what?": APRES.

93. Awesome: STELLAR. Sorry to annoy Husker Gary.

95. Hindu festival of love: HOLI.

96. Detective's promising discovery: HOT LEAD.

98. Fly high: SOAR.

99. Cold rocks: ICE. Tony had [Robber's rocks].

100. Jeans name: LEVI.

102. Racing Unsers: ALS.

103. Hoppy brew, briefly: IPA.

105. Seedy company?: BURPEE.

107. Nest egg initials: IRA. And 108. Crew member: ROWER. We had IDA/DOWER. Rich's version is much better.

109. Words of comfort: I CARE.

111. Music genre big in China: CANTOPOP. My favorite singer is Andy Lau. Lau is just Cantonese for Liu (Lucy Liu, e.g.).

113. Mastered: DOWN PAT.

115. Box with openings: CRATE.

118. Pet rabbits' homes: HUTCHES.

121. Not at one's desk: AWAY.

122. Like some revenue, as parking fines: NON-TAX. Our original clue is too wordy.

124. Café additive: LAIT.

126. Stimulating nut: KOLA.

127. German gent: HERR.

128. Blessing elicitor: SNEEZE.

129. Civil rights activist Guinier: LANI. Wiki always has the best picture.

130. Baseball's Slaughter: ENOS.

131. Cookie that's customizable: OREO. Tony had [Cookie that's not famous?]

132. Dog-__ pages: EARED.

133. Type of prof.: ASST.

134. Teller's stack: TENS.

Down:

1. Compromise: BEND.

2. Hatchet man __ Brasi of "The Godfather": LUCA. Scary.

4. In order that one may: SO AS TO.

6. __ fit: HISSY.

7. "Take on Me" band: AHA.

8. Snickers ingredient: NOUGAT.

9. Vocal improv: SCAT.

10. Hogwarts librarian __ Pince: IRMA.

12. School URL ender: EDU.

13. Summer songs?: DISCO. Donna Summer. Rich's creation.

14. Movie-rating org.: MPAA.

16. Stage figure: ACTOR.

17. Many new drivers: TEENS.

28. Fact-checker's find: ERROR.

30. Vodka nickname: STOLI.

32. Rent: LET.

34. Lead-in to gender: CIS. Opposite of "trans".

36. Astronaut Jemison: MAE.

38. Receives: GETS.

39. Sunburn-soothing balm: ALOE.

41. Halloween is in it: AUTUMN.

43. "Whether __ nobler ... ": Hamlet: TIS.

 

46. Wight, e.g.: ISLE.

48. 20s dispenser: ATM.

49. Cap: LID.

51. __ Boogie: "The Nightmare Before Christmas" villain: OOGIE.

52. Won a Razzie Award, say: STANK.

54. Lover's suffix: PHILE.

57. Kobe-based shoe company: ASICS. I love my Skechers.

60. Remove entirely: ERASE.

62. Personal teacher: TUTOR. Tony had [Master of one?]

65. "Enough, Jorge!": NO MAS.

68. __ cavity: NASAL.

69. Huge success: SMASH.

70. Strictly follow: HEW TO.

73. Fox's quest in a fable: GRAPES. Tony had [Fruits of wrath?]

79. Burkina __: FASO.

82. "Blueprint for a Sunrise" artist: ONO.

83. Laundry brand: ERA.

87. Political battle: RACE.

88. First Black NHL player Willie __: O'REE. Hope he did not stump you. We made sure that the crossings were fair. He's known as the Jackie Robinson of ice hockey. A historical figure.

90. March 14 food: PIE.

92. Official proclamation: EDICT.

94. Blow: ERUPT.

97. Road crew supply: TAR.

98. Honshu honorific: SAN.

101. Big shot, briefly: VIP.

104. Dish from Valencian for "frying pan": PAELLA.

106. __ Mortgage: Quicken brand: ROCKET. Learning moment for me.

107. Oregon Trail state: IDAHO.

110. Yom Kippur verb: ATONE.

112. Wheat __: cracker brand: THINS.

114. "Stoned Soul Picnic" songwriter Laura: NYRO.

116. Level: RAZE.

117. Canned: AXED.

119. Tech mogul Musk: ELON.

120. Lip: SASS.

123. Org. with annual Jazz Master Awards: NEA.

125. Small batteries: AAS.

C.C.