12.06.08 -- or

Orson Welles, The Third Man

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Saturday, December 6, 2008

Puzzle by Ashish Vengsarkar and Narayan Venkatasubramanyan, edited by Will Shortz

Ten clues (with asterisks) in this crossword are missing the letters “or” -- 1A. *Panama, e.g., Panorama, VIEW; 9A. *Popular rest area (resort), ASPEN; 17A. *Bat portrayer (Borat), SACHA BARON COHEN; 54A. *Sty for youngsters (Story), THREE LITTLE PIGS; 61A. *Deal (Ordeal), TRIAL; 63A. *Cal REEF (Coral); 10D. *Male booster (Morale), SHOT IN THE ARM; 22D. *Words that come from clams (clamors), ONOMATOPOEIA; 26D. *Aid in tailing (tailoring), NEEDLE; 31D. *Famous son (Orson), WELLES.

TENORS (29D. Choir section … and what are missing from the starred clues) completes the interrelated entries.

ESCAPEKEY (14A. Aid in an emergency) and SCHEDULEA (60A. Common 1040 attachment) lead off the remaining long entries -- ASPIRIN (23A. Relief provider); CATCALL (35D. Jeer); DIDASET (27D. Played awhile onstage); INKLESS (25D. Dry, in a way); NOSIREE (18D. “Don’t even think about it!”); ONADARE (28D. How one might streak); ROPEDIN (24D. Successfully lured); STEPDAD (46A. New old man?).

Mid-size entries include AGASSI (23D. Career Golden Slam winner); ALTHO (48d. Granting that, briefly); AROSE (38A. Became an issue); ASCAP (9D. Grp. Concerned with royalty); CENSE (35A. Perfume by burning); DONEE (27A. Gifted person?); DWELL (47D. Stay); NOOIL (59A. Salad or sandwich request); OKAYS (6D. Sanctions); PADRES (15D. They hold services in the service); RAISE (42A. Call alternative); REBATE (5D. Sales lure); REELED (42D. Was apparently lit); REREAD (32D. Proof, say); SHAVE (16A. Skin smoother); TERNS (45A. Beach flock); THALES (45D. Pre-Socratic philosopher); WINOS (31A. Red or white nuts?).

Short stuff: AERO, AGEE, AHEM, CAS, DAYO, ECCE (3D. Roman cry), EDAM, EDEL, EERO, ELAL, ETCH, EVE, HELD, HOR, ISAO, ISM, LADA, LSAT, MHOS, MYO, NEN, NONE, OAT, ORTS, OWL, PAH, PUR, REAR, ROAM, ROI, TAU, TERI, TGI, TILE, TOE, TNT, TPKE, USAF, VEST, WAH (4D. Baby‘s cry).

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THE NEW YORK TIMES -- Crossword Puzzles and Games

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Xword search information -- Across: 5. Lack direction; 19. Place for polish; 20. Belafonte song opener; 21. Flour source; 22. Stuff for the disposal; 29. ___ Friday; 30. Choice that avoids choosing; 32. Can; 33. Something that takes its toll?: Abbr.; 34. Town on the Ijsselmeer; 36. In custody; 37. Russian car make; 39. Writer of the five-volume biography “Henry James”; 40. Some college srs. Take it; 41. “Desperate Housewives” co-star of Eva and Felicity; 43. Chair designer Aarnio; 44. Job for un docteur; 48. “May I speak?!”; 49. Noted head-turner; 50. Its liners have stars on them; 51. Cross character; 62. Anti-resistance units? Down: 1. Flotation device; 2. Golfer Aoki; 3. Roman cry; 4. Baby’s cry; 7. Like sports cars, briefly; 8. Muscle: Prefix; 11. “Poppycock!”; 12. Very early exile; 13. Relief pitcher Robb; 50. Create a lasting impression?; 51. Counter piece; 52. Posthumous Pulitzer winner of 1958; 53. Falcons’ home: Abbr.; 54. Rubble maker; 55. Where the land meets the sky: Abbr.; 56. Father of une princesse; 57. Surreal ending?; 58. Big name in water filters.