01.06.09 -- IDOL

Rudolph Valentino

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Tuesday, January 6, 2009

Puzzle by John Greenman, edited by Will Shortz

MATINEE IDOL (60A. Figure described by the first words of 17-, 28- and 45-Across), TALL STORIES (17A. They’re hard to believe), DARK VICTORY (28A. 1939 Bette Davis drama) and HANDSOME SUM (45A. Big pile of cash) are the interrelated entries of this Tuesday crossword.

Mid-size entries include ADAMANTS (25D. Unbreakable stones of legend); ALPHAS (49A. Series beginners); ASSORT (10D. Place into cubbyholes); CASPIAN (5D. Sea fed by the Volga); DISMAY (46D. Consternation) and DISUSE (26D. Cause of atrophy); FULLEST (44D. Most jam-packed); KRONOR (29D. Swedish currency); NEONLAMP (23d. Source of orange-red light); SEA AIR (24A. Beach atmosphere).

Five-letter -- ABOVE (51D. Partner of beyond); 14. “Be-Bop-ALULA” (Gene Vincent hit); 33A. Former U.N. chief Kofi ANNAN; AVIAN (65A. Bird-related); BONUS (40A. Paycheck extra); FALSE (44A. Not loyal); HADON (50D. Sported); OATES (1D. Hall’s partner in pop); ONSET (22A. Initial stage); 1A. Fiber-OPTIC cable; PALES (15A. Is visibly frightened); PLANE (2D. Make smooth); PRESS (53A. Garlic-crushing tool); 6A. Milan’s La SCALA; SELES (52D. Monica with nine Grand Slam tournament wins); 66A. Potbelly STOVE; TONES (69A. Vocal qualities); TULSA (3D. Arkansas River city); VENOM (30D. Black mamba’s secretion); YENTA (68A. Gossipy sort).

Short stuff -- ABE, ALI, ALP, ANOS, ACTS, AVE, BASE, BLOT, CARS, DARE, ENNA, ENS, EURO, FELL, FIAT, ILL, ITO, LAKE, LEE, LOAM, LOU, NAPA, NEAT, NIL, NOAH, OAR, ORB, ONUS, PAPA, PETS, PLOP, PRO, REAL, REST, RIFE, ROAR, SALE, SPOT, TEE, TERR, TIER, TIN, UFO, YAKS (32D. Chews the fat), which I’ll not.

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Xword search information -- Across: 11. Sun or moon, to bards; 16. Zilch; 20. PT boat crewman: Abbr.; 21. Adoptees from shelters; 26. Have the nerve; 36. Take five; 37. Free of clutter; 39. Clayey soil; 41. Word before Charles or George; 42. ___ John’s (Domino’s competitor); 43. Years, in the Yucatan; 48. Top-___ (best); 56. Tumbled; 58. Bearded pres.; 59. CNN’s Dobbs; 67. Old hand. Down: 4. “___ bite”; 6. Dick and Jane’s dog; 7. Dodgem units; 8. Boxer Laila; 9. Ann of the Shakers; 11. Burden of proof; 12. In widespread use; 13. Bad mark on one’s reputation; 18. The U.S. Virgin Is., e.g.; 27. Takes steps; 31. Flesh-and-blood; 33. Bernese peak; 34. Wordsmith Webster; 35. California wine valley; ___ time (course slot); 40. Barracks locale; 47. Bargain hunter’s event; 53. Alka-Seltzer-into-water sound; 54. Have a hearty laugh; 55. Its symbol looks like an equal sign through a C; 58. Autostrada auto; 57. Sicilian city; 61. N.Y.C.’s Park or Madison; 62. Pewter component; 63. “Who am ITO say?”.