Friday, January 2, 2009

Title: VWLLSS CRSSWRD
Author: Frnk Lng (Frank Longo)
Theme: Essentially themeless, but vowels are removed and there's no Y.

I love these puzzles. They're so... puzzley. Since I'm running late, and since it's not always obvious what the fully vowelled answer is, I will list all the answers and reduce my comments considerably.

• 1a: Director Godard (JNLC). Jean-Luc.


• 5a: Alternative to a true-false test (MLTPLCHCQZ). Multiple choice quiz.


• 15a: Having tender tootsies (FTSR). Footsore.


• 16a: Mixture that can kill (LTHLCMBNTN). Lethal combination.


• 17a: Disappears gradually (FDST). Fades out.



• 18a: Place reviewed in Fodor's (TRVLDSTNTN). Travel destination.


• 19a: One who thinks logically (RSNR). Reasoner.


• 20a: Making global in scope (NTRNTNLZNG). Internationalizing.


• 21a: Result of bad reception (STTC). Static.


• 22a: Caps and gowns are worn for them (GRDTNS). Graduations.


• 23a: "O Canada," for one (NTHM). Anthem.


• 24a: Emetic syrup used in treating accidental poisoning (PCC). Ipecac.


• 25a: Garden outside Jerusalem that was the scene of the agony and betrayal of Jesus (GTHSMN). Gethsemane.


• 30a: Gallery with paintings, sculptures, handicrafts, etc. (MSMFFNRTS). Museum of fine arts.


• 33a: Christmas tree decoration (RNMNT). Ornament.


• 34a: Errata list (MSPRNTS). Misprints.


• 35a: Getting people up in arms (CSNGSTR). Causing a stir.


• 37a: Simulated, as a Civil War battle (RNCTD). Re-enacted.



• 38a: Deep-fried Chinese appetizers (SPRNGRLLS). Spring rolls.


• 40a: When tripled, a classic Christmas carol (LTTSNW). "Let it Snow".


• 42a: Rock to sleep (LLL). Lull.


• 43a: Tangled up, as shoelaces (NKNT). In a knot.


• 44a: Totally dries up (DSCCTS). Desiccates.


• 46a: Hot dog topping (RLSH). Relish. I went with CTSP (catsup) first.


• 47a: Final performance run-throughs (DRSSRHRSLS). Dress rehearsals.


• 51a: Camcorder insert (VDTP). Video tape.


• 52a: Periodical put out by the same parent company (SSTRPBLCTN). Sister publication.


• 53a: Edible green head (LTTC). Lettuce.


• 54a: Team that won Super Bowl XLI (NDNPLSCLTS). Indianapolis Colts.



• 55a: Small, active bird (TMTT). Tomtit.


• 56a: High schoolers' advisers (GDNCCNSLRS). Guidance counselors.


• 57a: Catch in a web (NSNR). Ensnare.


• 1d: D.C. landmark whose interior walls contain excerpts from the Declaration of Independence (JFFRSNMMRL). Jefferson Memorial.


• 2d: Body with 100 members (NTDSTTSSNT). United States Senate.


• 3d: Cause not to have so great an effect (LSSNTHMPCT). Lessen the impact.


• 4d: Good food, warmth, etc. (CRTRCMFRTS). Creature comforts.




• 5d: Temperature at which a solid becomes a liquid (MLTNGPNT). Melting point.


• 6d: English majors take them (LTRTRCRSS). Literature courses.



• 7d: 1982 courtroom drama starring Paul Newman (THVRDCT). "The Verdict".


• 8d: Bees do it (to flowers) (PLLNT). Pollinate.


• 9d: Shedding light on (LCDTNG). Elucidating.


• 10d: Advances aggressively (CMSNSTRNG). Comes on strong.


• 11d: Done regularly and frequently (HBTL). Habitual.


• 12d: Formally declare to be a saint (CNNZ). Canonize.


• 13d: Sound bite, e.g. (QTTN). Quotation.


• 14d: Dividing into districts (ZNNG). Zoning.


• 26d: 1956 uprising during which Soviet forces invaded Budapest (HNGRNRVLTN). Hungarian Revolution.


• 27d: Theme song of Arthur Godfrey's radio shows (SMSLKLDTMS). "Seems Like Old Times".


• 28d: Psychiatric hospital (MNTLNSTTTN). Mental institution.


• 29d: Becomes a factor (NTRSTHPCTR). Enters the picture.


• 31d: Make global substitutions in a text document (FNDNDRPLC). Find and replace.


• 32d: Novel featuring Hester Prynne, with "The" (SCRLTLTTR). "Scarlet Letter".


• 36d: Complete moral purity (SNLSSNSS). Sinlessness, I assume. Not my favorite entry.


• 39d: Phones someone (PLCSCLL). Places a call.


• 41d: Bathroom fixture (WSHBSN). Wash basin.


• 45d: Fancy handwriting embellishments (CRLCS). Curlicues.


• 47d: Throwing water on (DSNG). Dousing.


• 48d: Lived (RSDD). Resided.


• 49d: Join temporarily, as a jam session (STNN). Sat in on? This doesn't feel quite right, as SAT IN should be plenty. But I can't think what else it would be.


• 50d: Al Pacino drama based on a Peter Maas book (SRPC). "Serpico". Tried SFLV ("Sea of Love") first.

The last time one of these came out (about a year ago, and predating this blog), I wrote to Peter Gordon asking if there'd be more. He said there would be a book of them available sometime this past fall, but I have not seen them yet. This puzzle's title (if you can display enough of it)indicates that it will be out "sometime this spring". I hope it's soon, because once a year is not enough for me. I really enjoy these a lot.

Thanks for listening.

- Pete M