Sunday, December 16, 2007
MOVIES YOU MAY HAVE MISSED -- Puzzle by David J. Kahn and Steve Kahn, edited by Will Shortz
NOELNEILL (78D Lois Lane player of early TV, whose first name is a hint to this puzzle’s theme) is as it says, however weakly, a clue for ten inter-related entries -- e.g., puns upon noted film titles achieved by excluding the letter "L". Switching "L"'s was the motif of the inter-related entries of the November 18th NYT crossword, today they have just disappeared:
DEADMANWAKING (24A Prison movie about a medical miracle?);
THESANTACAUSE (31A Tim Allen comedy about unionizing seasonal workers?);
PUPFICTION (50A Prequel to “Reservoir Dogs?”);
THE SEVENTHSEA (64A Ingmar Bergman classic narrated by Jacques Cousteau?);
THEGODRUSH (79A Chaplin comedy about a religious migration?);
SNAKESONAPANE (98A Chiller about glass-climbing reptiles?);
WAROFTHEWORDS (109A Tom Cruise action thriller about a nasty argument?);
MENINBACK (6D Sci-fi movie about gender discrimination?);
ANIMAHOUSE (38D Spoof about the soul of a fraternity?); and
THEBIGSEEP (42D Bogart/Bacall mystery about serious basement dampness?).
Oddly, NOEL NEILL was one of the last entries that I filled in -- so, so much for being a hint to anything! Of course, as a nod to the season, and a tie-in for the puzzle, NOEL is certainly welcome!
Now 87, Noel Neill lives in a home in the Santa Monica Canyon, not far from Jack Larson (Jimmy Olsen), enjoying golf and bridge.
Continuing her involvement in the world of Superman, Noel Neill was cast in the role of Gertrude Vanderworth, the rich elderly woman whom Lex Luthor befriended, in the 2006 blockbuster film "Superman Returns".
A cast for these “movies you may have missed” is presented in the puzzle with the appearance of such puzzle personalities as MOM and DAD, EVE (without Adam), PAULINE, TREBEK, DINESEN, NYES, ANGELINA, ARLO, HERA, SRAS, STPAT, ELLIS, ALI, DESI, AARON, KOP, OTOE, IRENE, PHYS, HERO, SALS, MATA, MINER, ENGRS, and a special appearance by ELSIE (99D Pitcher of milk?) the Cow!
Music could be provided by 1A “COSI fan tutte”; 35A “Born Under ABAD Sign” (1960s blues album); 87A Conductor ESA-Pakka Salonen; 93A Joan Baez’s “Farewell, ANGELINA,” written by Bob Dylan; 108A “It’s ASIN” (Pet Shop Boys hit); 4D Jazz guitar great Herb ELLIS; with a 49D Medieval hymn start (DIES), along with IDIE, 51D Romeo’s last words, as lyrics.
Dialogue: 21A. ALAS (“Too bad”); 34A. RATS (“Loser’s cry); 60. YESORNO (“Answer the question”); 63A. ANI (“Request to Vanna White); 13D. ISWEAR (“Honest!”); 14D. JOKES (Good ones are cracked); 32D AAH (“Delightful!”); 66D. “My HERO!”; 93. ASIF (“Like, no way!”); 96D “Just ASI thought!”; and 104D IWIN (104D Victor‘s cry).
Throw it all together and open it at a neighborhood theater near us -- it won’t get PANNED (50D Awarded zero stars, say) -- it’s pure Hollywood!
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For today’s cartoon, go to The Crossword Puzzle Illustrated.
