MARTINI
Sunday, May 25, 2008
SPY GLASS, Puzzle by Elizabeth C. Gorski, edited by Will Shortz A note for this puzzle reads “When this puzzle is done, the seven circles will contain the letters from A to G. Starting with A, connect them alphabetically with one continuous line, and you'll get an image of a 39-Across.”
Well, I didn’t go connecting circles, but 39-Across is MARTINI (See instructions in Notepad), with its symmetric partner below, ASPIRIN (97A. Offering from St. Joseph) -- is that a coincidence? IANFLEMING (90A. Writer born May 28, 1908) will be one hundred years old this coming Wednesday, but this puzzle has beat him to it!
With it's clever SPY GLASS title, we are asked to remember six actors who have played the role of 72D. JAMES (Bond common to the answers to the six starred clues) which, together with the aforementioned MARTINI and IANFLEMING, bind the inter-related entries of this Sunday of Memorial Day weekend crossword -- no fireworks here, just a half-dozen smooth operators: SEANCONNERY (3D. *1962-67, 1971); GEORGE LAZENBY (23A. *1969); ROGERMOORE (48A. *1973-85); TIMOTHYDALTON (68A. *1987-89); PIERCEBROSNAN (115A. *1995-2002); and DANIELCRAIG (71D. *2006- ), with SIR (33D. Title for 48-Across and 3-Down) for the two most senior members of the club.
The rest of the action in this puzzle is business-as-usual with a few exceptions as noted.
Across: 1. How architects’ models are built; 8. Lou Bega’s “MAMBO No. 5”; 26. Italian town known for its embroidery; 45. Sub systems; 50. Moles’ production; 55. Warhol’s “ASET of Six Self-Portraits”; 64. First mate; 82. Alexander Hamilton’s last act; 86. N.B.A.’s YAO Ming;102. Mexican beer;110. 2003 best-selling fantasy novel by teen author Christopher Paolini;123. Artist Watteau; 125. Singer Jones and others.
Down : 4. Attire with supersized pockets;14. Like some wrestling, (which ends up looking like THIS); Edwards and others: Abbr; 38D. “The Allegory of Love” writer, 1936; Butterfly experts, perhaps; 53. March 25, in the Christian calendar; 66D. In song, “Once you pass its borders, you can ne’er return again”; 74. It’s full of holes; 77. Rock guitarist once married to Goldie Hawn; 85. Bluesy Smith; 101. Game played with a 40-card deck.
Hey! Draw in the martini... a timely toast to "Bond, James Bond!"
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For today's cartoon, go to The Crossword Puzzle Illustrated.
