Thursday, August 7, 2008 Puzzle by Peter A. Collins and Joe Krozel Symmetry, proportion, and harmony, known as the GOLDENMEAN (60A. Aesthetically pleasing ratio of antiquity) was held by the Greeks to be the three concomitants of beauty. Today’s crossword, along with the subject of it’s interrelated entries qualifies on all counts. Vivien LEIGH (13A. Co-star of the film whose title is hidden sequentially in 20-, 34-, 41- and 52-Across), RUNNINGONEMPTY (20A. About to collapse, say), THROWITHOME (34A. Plea from the plate), TOOTHENAMEL (41A. Canine coat), CHOCTAWINDIANS (52A. Some W.W. I code talkers) and Clark GABLE (64A. Another co-star of the film hidden in this puzzle) are the above-mentioned entries of this Thursday crossword puzzle. GONE WITH THE WIND was a spectacular ground-breaking film, like nothing film-goers had ever seen before, it was an epic history/romance held in movie palaces which no longer exist, seating thousands of rapt film-goers for four hours, thankfully with an intermission. To imagine the experience now, even with the best equipment in one’s living room or a small revival theater, is impossible. Standards of acting, dialogue and story have changed, special effects and advanced technology have revolutionized film-making -- to criticize it or make comparison by today’s standards is pure folly. In essence, the original no longer exists, and one cannot ask that a film that is now as far removed in years from today as it was from the era it depicted to be anything more than an elaborate curio to anyone born after World War II. It is one of the great films of all time.
Olivia de Havilland, at age 92, is the last living star of GWTW, who along with Gable, Leigh and Leslie Howard, brought to life Melanie, Rhett, Scarlett and Ashley with such subtle, sympathetic and splendid characterization that no re-make could possibly be the equal of the original. Incidentally, Evelyn Keyes, who played Scarlett O'Hara's younger sister Suellen, died July 4 of this year. She was 91.
Other long entries -- MAMMOTH (9D. Giant tusk holders); REDOCTOBER (26D. Object of a hunt in a 1984 best seller); STEMCELL (38D. Subject of modern research); STEPSTOOLS (10D. Items unlikely to be stored on the top shelf); TONEITDOWN (17A. “Not so loud!”).
Five- and six-letter entries include AGENCY (4D. Spook’s employer, with “the”); AISLE (47A. Usher’s domain); 25D. Get AROOM for the night; ATTEN (30A. When brunch may be schedule); 24A. Amu DARYA, Asian river; 24D. Al DENTE; DRONE (27D. Queen’s subject?); EMAIL (31D. What a server may serve); EMCEE (45A. Show host); HINTAT (14D. Suggest); IMAMAN (48D. 1965 Yardbirds hit); IONIC (39A. Like some columns); 28D. JONAS Brothers (pop trio); 43D. Bill of LADING (shipping document); NAGAT (50D. Pester); NERVE (32D. Brass); SWIMS (29D. Dips); TONNE (8D. British weight).
Three- and four-letter: ABAA, ADDN, ADM, AINU, ALT, AMAT, ARIA, ATIT, ATWO, BEOR, CLOG, CTN, DJS, DOTO, EROS, ERAT, ERE, ESS (46A. It makes pets pests), GIRL, GIST, HEAT, HIE, HOPI, ICE, ILIA, LIV, MOOG, MSGS, NDAK, NEBO, NEE, NODS, NOTE, OPEL, SALT, SOAR, STAY, TEAK, TIN, TMAN, WORE.
Hollywood, with its CGI effects, cardboard actors and lust for box-office, may yet do a remake of Gone With the Wind, however, to that I quote: “Frankly, my dear, I don't give a damn.”
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Search information -- Across: 1. Quatrain form; 5. Latin lover’s word?; 9. BlackBerry output: Abbr.; 15. Inflict upon; 16. Squabbling; 19. Costa ___, Calif.; 22. DHL delivery: Abbr.; 23. Subject for Freud; 27. Singles players; 33. Poetic preposition; 37. Some yeses; 49. Eliot Ness, notably, for short; 51. Bull Halsey in W.W. II, e.g.: Abbr.; 59. Leaf feature; 62. German-built auto; 63. Verdi’s “Di Provenza il mar,” e.g.; 65. Beatles song that begins “Is there anybody going to listen to my story”; 66. Hard wood; 67. Point out. Down: 1. Not the main rte.; 2. “To ___ not to …”; 3. Japanese aborigine; 5. Wing: Abbr.; 6. Eponymous instrument maker Robert; 7. Retired Audi supermini; 11. Essence; 12. Command to Fido; 18. Anniversary gift for the year after pottery; 21. Was at the Colosseum?; 35. Get shaking; 36. Hotel freebie; 42. Coppers; 51. It’s made in a squeeze; 52. Backup cause; 53. Literally, “peaceful” person; 54. Eroded; 55. Hip bones; 56. Locale of Sitting Bull Coll.; 57. Mountain where Moses died, in the Bible; 58. Curer; 61. Alumna identifier.
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