The Thursday, July 31 puzzle by Allan E. Parish (answers) starts out heavenly, gradually comes down to earth, and then descends into the fiery depths of hell. My pop culture ignorance meant I had more trouble with this than a typical Thursday but I liked the stratified theme.
AMAHL and the Night Visitors is the only opera many people have seen. In fact, it may be the most watched opera in American history although it's rarely performed live. NBC commissioned Gian Carlo Menotti to write it for television. It premiered in 1951 and was a Christmastime TV special in one form or another for decades.
I didn't know MUFTI meant civvies. It's a name for a Muslim legal advisor who would have to be a civil official. "Lingerie drawer items" weren't actually items of lingerie but rather SACHETS to make the rest of the dainty items smell pretty. The "footnote word" is IDEM which means "the same as previously mentioned." It's similar to ibid. or ibidem which means "in the same book, chapter or page." Given a choice of SEDANs, pick the Infiniti Q45 over the Ford Mercury Grand Marquis.
There is a trio of impressive women in this puzzle. Patsy CLINE had a huge impact in not just country but popular music in general before her death at age 30 in a plane crash. Hilary Hahn is one of the most successful solo violinists in the world right now at the tender age of 29. And Elizabeth Cady STANTON organized the first women's rights convention at Seneca Falls in 1848 when she was only 33. It's hard to believe that in America women have only had the right to vote since 1920.
Tomorrow I turn the keys over to new guest blogger John Ludwig. He's a former software company Vice President I reported to while working on something called Windows 95. I had no idea we had a shared passion for crosswords until he became one of the earliest commenters on this blog. He's now a partner in a successful Venture Capital firm meaning he'll personally give you piles of money if you have a good enough idea.
Garson Hampfield, Crossword Inker
Whatever you think you know about the box team that puts together the crossword puzzles that you take for granted every day, you must watch this video. You'll learn something of the history, the craft, or rather the crucial art of boxing. DO NOT leave this page until you have watched this video:
If you prefer, this link has a higher resolution version of this amazing video. If your name is Michael A. Charles and you created this animation, please drop me a line. We need to chat.
Garson Hampfield is my hero. Thanks for that enlightening video.
Posted by: john farmer | July 30, 2008 at 08:16 PM
Tough puzzle, but two GREAT videos, JimH! I learn so much here. I toast Mr. Hampfield & all the other Bumfrys who add such joy to our world.
Posted by: LaurenB | July 30, 2008 at 08:56 PM
I think this link tells you everything you need to know about Michael A. Charles. Recommended.
Posted by: CrossEyedBear | July 30, 2008 at 09:04 PM
That was a very good puzzle. Not knowing who the Bennet family was (I thought "Cerf" at first), I chose DIsney as its creator, so the MOTTO / AUSTEN / STANTON / MUTT area was grizzly. And, I spent some time trying to remember Lupin's first name. I would have zipped right through this had it been constructed by a better inker.
I loved the Garson video. His noodling about female pencilers brought to mind: "Men are from Mars. Women aren't as good at spatial reasoning, they're not sure where they're from." And the ending, wow! Thanks, Jim, and thanks, CrossEyedBear. Great stuff.
Posted by: KarmaSartre | July 30, 2008 at 10:40 PM
jim, what is this about? A person you actualy know and a person who actualy knows something! Zut Alors! Can't wait.
Another early trip to NYC today. The puzzle was easier to construct today since Limbo has been demoted Ala Pluto. Any info on our constrictor? Hope he isn't a Starbuck's executive promoting coffee.
Posted by: PhillySolver | July 31, 2008 at 05:15 AM
Thanks for sharing that cartoon, Jim! It's perfect.
Posted by: Orange | July 31, 2008 at 05:25 PM