02.15.09 -- Smile! -- the Acrostic

Sunday, February 15, 2009

ACROSTIC, Puzzle by Emily Cox & Henry Rathvon, edited by Will Shortz

"The King of Hollywood" is the subject of this post-Valentine's Day acrostic, courtesy of Loos, Cox, Rathvon & Shortz.

The quotation: I ADMIRED CLARK GABLE FOR HIS LACK OF VANITY ONE DAY I HAPPENED ON HIM AT A FAUCET WHERE HED STOPPED TO WASH HIS DENTURE CLARK GRINNED POINTED TO HIS MOUTH AND SAID WITH AN EXAGGERATED LISP LOOK AMERICAS THWEETHEART

The author’s name and the title of the work: ANITA LOOS KISS HOLLYWOOD GOODBYE

The defined words: LIGHTS (A. First call before shooting); OLDHAT (B. Dated, démodé [2 wds.]); OUTWARD (C. Extrinsic); SINATRA (D. Entertainer whose epitaph reads “The best is yet to come”); KARAKUM (E. Desert by the Aral Sea [2 wds.]); INTIFADA (F. Revolt against an occupation); G. Rudolf STEINER, Austrian philosopher who pioneered eurythmy; SPACEWALK (H. Event often involving an umbilical cord); HIGHNOTE (I. Positive thing to end on [2 wds.]); OXPECKER (J. Bird symbiotic with rhinos and cattle); LIFTED (K. Purloined; worked out on a Nautilus); LATHER (L. Excited people may be in this); YARDMAN (M. Railroad worker; groundskeeper); WHITEPINE (N. Maine’s state tree [2 wds.]); OCTANE (O. Ping-resistance measure); OVERHAND (P. Like some volleyball serves); DROPSEAT (Q. Feature of many a union suit [2 wds.]); GASOHOL (R. Fuel from partly renewable sources); OPIUMDEN (S. Setting for the Sherlock Holmes story “The Man With the Twisted Lip” [2 wds.]); OMNIFIC (T. Able to create anything); DEADWEIGHT (U. Heavy, useless burden [2 wds.]); BEACHES (V. Film with the theme song “Wind Beneath My Wings”); YPRES (W. Belgian scene of great carnage in 1917); EDITHHEAD (X. Oscar winner for work in “All About Eve” and “The Sting” [2 wds.]).

Smile!

Click on image to enlarge.

Puzzle available on the internet at

THE NEW YORK TIMES -- Crossword Puzzles and Games

If you subscribe to home delivery of The New York Times you are eligible to access the daily crossword via The New York Times - Times Reader, without additional charge, as part of your home delivery subscription.