google.com, pub-2774194725043577, DIRECT, f08c47fec0942fa0 L.A.Times Crossword Corner

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May 31, 2010

Monday May 31, 2010 Donna S. Levin

Theme: Dirty Harry - The first words of 20A, 31A and 41A form the famous quote made by Det. Harry Callahan, portrayed by 53A, in the movie, Sudden Impact.

20A. Rise from the ashes, so to speak: MAKE A COMEBACK.

31A. "Pygmalion" on Broadway: "MY FAIR LADY".

41A. Tourist who doesn't stay overnight: DAY-TRIPPER.

53A. Born 5/31/1930, entertainer associated with the phrase formed by the starts of 20-, 31- and 41-Across: CLINT EASTWOOD.

Argyle here. "Rise from the ashes" is a reference to the mythical bird, the phoenix, who is reborn from the ashes of its former self.

"The Pygmalion myth". Pygmalion was a sculptor who fell in love with a statue he had carved. In My Fair Lady, Prof. Henry Higgins transforms Eliza Doolittle into a "Lady", then falls in love with her.

Leave out the hyphen on "Day-Tripper" and you get
Day Tripper by the Beatles.

A strong Monday puzzle with one possible quibble, tea grade, which I'll parse when I get to it.

Across:

1A. Buck in the forest: STAG.

5A. Mil. three-stripers: SGTS.
Image. Worn on uniforms to indicate rank.

9A. Big name in insurance: AETNA.

14A. Wahine's dance: HULA. Where IS our Hawaiian contingent?

15A. In __ of: replacing: LIEU.

16A. Sink outlet: DRAIN.

17A. Slightly: A BIT.

18A. Slightly open: AJAR.

19A. Fictional chocolatier Wonka: WILLY. The original Roald Dahl novel was Charlie and the Chocolate Factory.

23A. Employ: USE.

24A. Laboriously earns, with "out": EKES.

25A. Gets the lead out?: ERASES.

28A. Two sizes above sm.: LGE.

29A. When the Kol Nidre is recited, vis-à-vis Yom Kippur: EVE. A dramatic introduction to Yom Kippur on what is often dubbed "Kol Nidrei night". It is written in Aramaic, not Hebrew. Its name is taken from the opening words, meaning "all vows". (I hope we get a more personal enlightenment.)

30A. 1970s radical gp.: SLA. Symbionese Liberation Army, kidnappers of Patricia Hearst.

36A. Not this: THAT.

37A. Breath mint brand: CERTS.

38A. Yalie: ELI. Elihu Yale was the benefactor of Yale University.

39A. Pirate's spoils: BOOTY. Just the sort of
image I was hoping to find.

40A. Sticky stuff on a stick: GLUE. Remember we use to use tongue depressor sticks to smear paste on each others as kids.

43A. Prefix with center: EPI.

44A. "Blues Brother" Aykroyd: DAN. Dan Aykroyd and John Belushi, The Blues Brothers.

45A. Connections that help you get ahead: INs.

46A. Think highly of: ESTEEM.

48A. Clue weapon: ROPE. From the board game. The weapons are knife, candlestick, rope, wrench, lead pipe, and revolver.

50A. "The Silence of the Lambs" org.: FBI.

56A. Easy __: AS ABC.

58A. Golden rule word: UNTO.

59A. Green Gables girl: ANNE. The story, Anne of Green Gables, was set in Prince Edward Island, Canada.

60A. Tea grade: PEKOE. It is legitimate, mostly. The tea industry uses the term Orange Pekoe to describe a basic, medium-grade black tea consisting of many whole tea leaves of a specific size. 63A. Prepares 60-Across: BREWS.

61A. Complaint: BEEF. "Where's the beef?"

62A. October 15th, e.g.: IDES. It's not just for March, you know.

64A. Low man on the feudal totem pole: SERF. That would be a figurative totem pole.

65A. Ultimate: LAST.

Down:

1D. SeaWorld star: SHAMU.

2D. Oompah brass: TUBAs.

3D. More than similar: ALIKE.

4D. Garden portal: GATE.

5D. Goof-off: SLACKER.

6D. Military action doll: GI JOE. We finally get to use JOE.

7D. Sides in a game: TEAMS.

8D. Certain: SURE.

9D. Online pop-up source: ADWARE.

10D. Soap vamp __ Kane: ERICA. Erica Kane is a long-running fictional character from All My Children and portrayed by
Susan Lucci who finally won an Emmy in 1999.

11D. Discusses business: TALKS SHOP.

12D. Zero: NIL.

13D. One or another: ANY.

21D. Protection: AEGIS. Derived from a large collar or cape worn in ancient times to display the protection provided by a high religious authority.

22D. Quail group: BEVY.

26D. Really delight: ELATE.

27D. Lecherous woodland deity: SATYR.
Image. (for C.C.)

28D. Tardy: LATE.

29D. Blue-pencil: EDIT.

31D. "Me and Bobby __": McGEE. A song written by Kris Kristofferson and Fred Foster, originally performed by Roger Miller, and later by Janis Joplin.
the Miller version.

32D. Pound sounds: YELPS.

33D. "Nutty" individual: FRUITCAKE.

34D. Taboo for Mrs. Sprat: LEAN. From the nursery rhyme. "Jack Sprat could eat no fat. His wife could eat no lean."

35D. Prince __ Khan: ALY. Aly Khan married the American movie star Rita Hayworth. He was quite the playboy. The titles of prince and princess are claimed by children of the Aga Khan(Aly's father) by virtue of their descent from Shah Fath Ali Shah of the Persian Qajar dynasty. Large entry in Wikipedia for
Qajar dynasty, if you're interested.

36D. Blouses and shirts: TOPS.

39D. I.Q. test name: BINET. Alfred Binet

41D. Rhett's last word: DAMN. "Frankly, my dear, I don't give a damn" In the novel Gone with the Wind, Rhett does not say "Frankly," but simply "My dear, I don't give a damn." The context is also different; he is speaking quietly to Scarlett in a room, not storming dramatically out of the house.

42D. Swipes: RIPS OFF.

44D. Prepares for a winter takeoff, as plane wings: DEICES.

47D. Jab with a bone: ELBOW.

48D. Actress Zellweger: RENÉE.

49D. Western movie: OATER. Mr. Eastwood has made a large number of films of this genre.

50D. Henry, Peter or Jane: FONDA. Father, son and daughter, all actors.

51D. Forensic TV drama: "BONES". One of my favorites. Very low-keyed finale, main characters are going away for a year(but the show returns in the fall).

52D. That is, in Latin: ID EST.

54D. Beat-up boats: TUBS.

55D. Cry like a banshee: WAIL. Another meaning would be KEEN.

56D. Police broadcast, briefly: APB. All-Points Bulletin.

57D. Rev.'s speech: SER. Sermon.

Answer grid.

Argyle

May 30, 2010

Sunday May 30, 2010 Harvey Estes

Theme: Divided Countries - Country names (8) are divided and span across mostly two words in each familiar phrase.

27A. Weather unit: DEGREE CELSIUS. The divided country is GREECE (100A. Country divided in 27-Across).

45A. "I'm outa here": TIME TO GO HOME. Embedded is TOGO (22A. Country divided in 45-Across).

58A. Like always: AS PER USUAL. Contains PERU (79D. Country divided in 58-Across).

77A. Makes a special effort TAKES PAINS. Included is SPAIN (68D. Country divided in 77-Across).

89A. FleetCenter predecessor BOSTON GARDEN. Holds TONGA (3D. Country divided in 89-Across).

111A.Without breaking the rules FAIR AND SQUARE. Enclosed is IRAN (122A.Country divided in 111-Across).

16D. Donne words before "entire of itself": NO MAN IS AN ISLAND. Harbors OMAN (48D. Country divided in 16-Down).

44D. Words sung before placing hand to hip: I'M A LITTLE TEAPOT. The split country is MALI (56A. Country divided in 44-Down). The only theme entry broken into three words. My favorite.

Normally the country names are simply circled in this type of theme scheme. I like how the constructor goes one step further, challenges himself construction-wise, and places each country name in the grid. This puzzle also has 146 entries, two more than our LAT Sunday limit 144.

Our first Havey Estes puzzle since the switch. He has constructed quite a few LAT in the past. His penchant for cross-references today reminds me a bit of John Lampkin's style, though John's Sunday is often a pangram. This one does not have letters J & X.

As the norm with our Sunday puzzle, plenty of entertaining clues. My favorite is ACNE (118A. Bad marks in high school?).

Across:

1. __-mouth: MOTOR. A person who talks excessively. New expression to me.

6. Bethlehem visitors: MAGI

10. Ennui: BLAHS. Tried BLASE first.

15. Piece of cake: SNAP. I liked last time's "IT'S A SNAP" better.

19. Superior to: ABOVE. And OVER (4D. Superior to).

20. Like a dust bowl: ARID. Why isn't "dust bowl" capitalized? We also have GOBI (91D. Asian expanse). Gobi Desert.

21. Bug: EAT AT

23. Established districts: ZONED

24. Shade of blue: NILE. Like the color of this car.

25. On the move: ASTIR

26. Ed who played Mingo on "Daniel Boone": AMES. Recognized his mug when I googled.

30. Like a good knight: GALLANT. Nice play on "good night".

32. Flat-pancake filler: AS A

33. Silents star Jannings: EMIL. The first-ever Best Actor Oscar winner.

34. Power source: ATOM

36. Puts in a bad light: TAINTS

37. Deposed '70s despot: AMIN (Idi)

38. Request to Fido: BEG. And ALPO (115A. Rover's bowlful).

40. Fund-raising targets: ALUMNI

42. Punxsutawney prophet: PHIL. The groundhog.

49. Sunblock letters: SPF. Gorgeous summer day here in Minnesota.

52. Word with strip or relief: COMIC. This clue made me laugh.

54. "Is it soup __?" : YET

55. Tyler Perry's "Diary of __ Black Woman": A MAD. Not familiar with the movie.

57. Cruising locale: SEA

62. "Star Wars Episode II" attack force: CLONES. Obtained the answer via crosses.

64. More 47-Down: LANKER. And GAUNT (47D. Very thin).

66. Rural room renter: INN. Triple alliteration.

68. Bashes: SHINDIGS. Not your everyday crossword fill.

70. Colony resident: ANT

71. Strikes, e.g.: PROTESTS. I always think of baseball when "strikes" are called for in crossword.

73. General nicknamed "Old Blood and Guts": PATTON. Cold guy.

74. Start of a simple game TIC. Tic-tac-toe.

75. Poet Amy: LOWELL. Clear Ayes posted her poems on the blog before.

76. Lets out, say: ALTERS. Nailed it.

80. Fearful reverence: AWE

83. Troubles: ILLS

84. Went lickety-split: TORE. SPED, anyone?

85. Canadian prov. whose capital is Charlottetown: P.E.I. (Prince Edward Island). Got me.

86. Cartridge contents: TONER. Alliteration.

88. Wedding notice word: NEE

94. Says further: ADDS

95. "Growing Pains" star Alan: THICKE. Have never heard of the guy nor the sitcom.

97. Sch. with a Lima campus: OSU (Ohio State University). Lima, Ohio.

98. Three-piece suit piece: VEST

102.Swedish import: SAAB

105.West Wing adjunct: AIDE. Was picturing an added building rather than person.

106.One not acting well: HAM

109.Cracks up over: ROARS AT

116.Polite turndown: NO SIR

119.Racing family name UNSER. And STP (117D."The racer's edge"). I think EddyB is in Indy 500 today.

120.Dark purple fruit: SLOE

121.Emcee's task: INTRO

123.Lapel attachment: ID TAG

124.Strokes: PETS

125.Colorado ski mecca: ASPEN

126.Bit of progress, figuratively: DENT. Make a dent.

127.11-Down feature NOOSE. And LASSO (11D. Will Rogers prop). We also have LARIAT (67A. Cattle drive need).

Down:

1. Publisher of Zoom-Zoom magazine: MAZDA. No idea.

2. English horn relatives: OBOES

5. Turn in for money: REDEEM

6. "The Pink Panther Theme" composer: MANCINI (Henry). Not on my radar. Wikipedia says he also composed "Moon River".

7. Disney mermaid: ARIEL

8. Breathing organ: GILL. Oh, for fish.

9. Caesar's big date: IDES. Of March. And ET TU (39D. Brute's rebuke?).

10. Humdinger: BEAUT

12. Communications co.: AT&T

13. Nixon chief of staff: HAIG (Alexander). "I'm in control here".

14. Bedrock, e.g.: STRATUM

15. Big Red: STALIN. Kept thinking Pete Rose of the Big Red Machine.

17. Bond, for one: AGENT. James Bond.

18. Newsgroup messages: POSTS

28. Send out: EMIT

29. He did a Moor good, then harm: IAGO. The bad guy in "Othello".

31. Rich fabric: LAMÉ. Does "Rich" mean "deep-colored" here? Looks silky.

35. Taj __ : MAHAL

37. Ring icon: ALI

38. Cold draft: BEER: Great clue.

41. City served by Ben-Gurion airport: LOD. Always have trouble with this city.

42. IBM products: PCS

43. Tilling tool: HOE

46. Mike of "54": MYERS. Easy guess. Have never seen "54".

50. Fabric fold: PLEAT. We also have PLAID (71D. Flannel shirt pattern). I tend to confuse these two words.

51. Weapons of the unarmed: FISTS. Loved the clue.

53. Straight shooting, so to speak: CANDOR

56. Gourmet mushroom: MOREL. Delicious!

59. Hides: SKINS. Noun. Tricky!

60. Hanging convenience: PEG

61. "__ you asked ...": SINCE

62. Circus employee: CLOWN

63. Hot gossip, with "the": LATEST

65. Forks over, with "up": ANTES

69. Berry of "Monster's Ball": HALLE. I like her in short hair. You?

70. Pulitzer-winning poet Conrad __: AIKEN. Foreign name to me. Why "__" after Conrad in the clue?

72. Lyon king: ROI. Good pun on the "Lion King".

74. Island starch source: TARO

77. Shopping aids: TOTES

78. Bathroom luxuries: SPAS

81. United: WED

82. "Grey's Anatomy" settings, briefly: ERS

84. "For shame!"" TSK

87. Granola bar bit: OAT

89. Ecolutions pens: BICS. What does Ecolutions stand for? Eco-solution?

90. "1984" setting: OCEANIA. South Seas region.

92. Easy to get: EVIDENT

93. Rorem and Beatty: NEDS. Is Ned Rorem very famous?

96. Sci-fi series about people with special powers: HEROES. Have never seen this series.

99. Costume sparkler: SEQUIN

100.Understanding: GRASP

101.Actress Esther: ROLLE. Another stranger to me.

103.Flaming: AFIRE

104.Composer Copland: AARON. Alliteration.

105.Former UN leader Kofi: ANNAN. I have his autograph.

106.Can't help but: HAS TO

107.Fields of study: AREAS

108.On-ramp sign: MERGE

110.A whole lot: TONS. And ACRE (113.Lot, maybe). Lot echo.

112.Fridge foray: RAID. Alliteration.

114.Nullify: UNDO

Answer grid.

Happy LXXIst Birthday to EddyB!

C.C.