No, No, Nosferatu!
Max Schreck as Count Orlock----------------- Only a woman can break his frightful spell—a woman pure in heart—who will offer her blood freely to Nosferatu and will keep the vampire by her side until after the cock has crowed -- Nosferatu, 1922
----------------- Wednesday, June 4, 2008 Puzzle by Billie Truitt, edited by Will Shortz THINGSTHATBREAK... (33A. What 17-, 24-, 48- and 57-Across are) is a unifying entry for CURVEBALLS (17A. Tricky, unexpected questions), DAYLIGHT (24A. Vampire’s undoing), KIDSTOYS (48A. Stairway hazards, in some homes) and OCEANWAVES (57A. View from the shore); however, the clues for the things that break; e.g., tricky, unexpected questions and a view from the shore, do not break; nor for that matter do stairway hazards in some homes or the undoing of vampires! That classic oater REDRIVER (10D. John Wayne western) is featured along the trail of longer entries which include NEWSDESK (34D. Bulletin-creating department); ASPIRIN (20A. It’s a relief); DUCHESS (24D. Title for Camilla) with her title HRH (26D. Initials for Camilla); LEADORE (51A. Galena or anglesite); SECRETS (21. Spies seek them).
A few more links: ANVILS (4D. 12-Down hardware); ATEST (61A. Alamogordo trial); TSARS (46A. Winter Palace residents) and EWE (50A. Meadow mother).
A tidy mid-week crossword -- to sum up, ILLSAY (8D. “You bet!”) ITIS (59A. Reply to “That so?”) a GOODONE (52A. “Nice shot!”), but oh, no!
No, no, Nosferatu!
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For today’s cartoons, go to The Crossword Puzzle Illustrated.
