03.29.09 -- ET

Lightning strikes the Eiffel Tower on June 3, 1902, at 9:20 P.M

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Sunday, March 29, 2009

ARCHITECTURAL DRAWING, Puzzle by Elizabeth C. Gorski, edited by Will Shortz

The EIFFEL TOWER (118A. Landmark inaugurated 3/31/1889 whose shape is suggested by nine squares in this puzzle’s completed grid) will be 120 years old on Tuesday, March 31, 2009 – it was recently reported that the French, unsatisfied with the one of the most instantly recognizable structures in the world have decided to place what looks like a flying saucer atop the tower to enable larger groups of tourists to gape down on the city, ignoring the fact that everyone comes to look “at” the tower, not “from” it. Thankfully, today’s crossword does not include the unsightly platform, delightfully indicating the classic outline of the structure with the nine “connect-the-ETs” (extraterrestrials?) -- à la connect-the-dots. * See note at end of commentary!

There are several long entries related to the subject – AN AMERICAN IN PARIS (26A. 1951 Oscar-winning film whose title suggests a visitor to the 118-Across); CHATEAU LAFITE (45A. Wine enjoyed by 26-Across, maybe); THE FRENCH CONNECTION (67A. 1971 Oscar-winning film whose title is hinted at nine times in this grid); PATISSERIE (55D. Napoleon’s place, frequented by 26-Across?); CAFÉ AU LAIT (52D. Morning refreshment for 26-Across).

The entries providing the ETs – Across: AR[ET]HA (21A. 1986 self-titled album whose cover was Andy Warhol’s last work); D[ET]S (59A. Police dept. employees); [ET]ICK[ET] (74A. Modern traveler’s purchase); [ET]UDE (93A. Chopin’s “Butterfly” or “Winter Wind”); RES[ET] (94A. Adjust, as a clock); SE[ET]HE (99A. Bubble over); ONS[ET] (116A. Beginning); [ET]ONS (121A. Some collars and jackets). The necessary corresponding down entries: A[ET]NA (10D. Insurance giant); LUM[ET] (37D. “Before the Devil Knows You’re Dead” director, 2007); IC[ET] (64D. “Rhyme Pays” rapper); 65D. Work without AN[ET]; [ET]HEREAL (93D. Light); [ET]AGERES (95D. Snow globe holders); [ET]HEL (101D. Jazzy Waters); [ET]RE (117D. To be abroad); [ET]UI (121D. Pins and needles’ place).

Remaining across: 1. Electrical gizmo; 8. Umbrella locale; 13. It’s got magnetic pull; 20. Lose one’s shirt; 22. Strauss opera; 23. Achieves success; 24. Queen Mary, e.g.; 25. Makes lovable; 29. “Cinderella Man” co-star, 2005; 30. Keep an EYE ON; 31. Actress Marisa; 34. Bring at market; 40. Answers, quickly; 44. Legal org.; 50. Alley OOP; 51. Messes up; 53. “RUMOR has it …”; 54. Fruity bowlful; 56. One of Judy Garland’s girls; 57. India’s smallest state; 60. Tiny application; 61. Deuce follower; 62. Beginning; 63. Letters on a cross; 65. Mystique; 66. Binge; 73. Fine rating; 75. Sue Grafton’s “C IS for Corpse”; 76. Doomed; 81. Co. that makes A.T.M.’s; 82. How photography books are usually printed; 87. Gunwale pin; 88. York product; 91. Skating star Sonja; 92. Author Janowitz; 96. RAN A temperature (was feverish); 97. Venomous; 103. Licorice-flavored seeds; 106. Like a lace collar, maybe; 107. Geographically named S.U.V.; 108. “I’m with you!”; 109. Cock and bull; 110. Surveyor’s measurer; 112. Rev.’s address; 123. Philospher Zeno of ELEA; 114. Jockey’s wear; 122. Dirty look; 123. “Shake A TAIL Feather” (1967 hit); 124. United Airlines hub; 125. Hook-shaped parts of brains; 1236. Inventory: Abbr.; 127 Cousins of zithers; 128. Taboos; 129. Midmonth date.

Down: 1. Turkish title; 2. Palme D’OR; 3. Start of a spell; 4. “Raspberry Beret” singer; 5. Soviet comrade; 6. OKEMO Mountain (Vermont ski resort); 7. Mend, in a way; 8. Tourist haven east of Java; 9. Playwright Bogosian; 11. Julie of “The Early Show”; 12. Mata HARI; 13. Poorly drained; 14. Arms runners?; 15. “Bertha” composer; 16. Knitter’s stash; 17. Class-conscious grps.?; 18. Peace Nobelist John Boyd ORR; 19. Prof.’s helpers; 27. Dormancy; 28. NERF ball; 31. Small drum of India; 32. Orchestra member; 33. Square meal component?; 35. Suffix with election; 38. Hail; 38. Andy Capp’s wife and others; 39. Rowing trophy; 41. It may be bewitching; 43. Dog-tired; 46. Long flights; 47. In concert; 48. Words of empathy; 49. Popular vice; 58. Royal son of the comics; 60. Pester for payment; 68. MetroCard payment; 69. Comment from over the shoulder, maybe; 70. Soyuz letters; 71. Vegetable in Cajun cuisine; 72. Mrs. Addams, to Gomez; 76. Lead-in to girl; 77. Admonished; 78. Circle makers; 79. Swift-running bird; 80. Accomplished; 82. Verizon forerunner; 83. River of France and Belgium; 84. Shortly; 85. Macarena, for one; 86. Congressional assents; 89. Home in a 90-Down; 90. See 89-Down; 98. RR stop; 100. Stands before a business meeting, maybe; 102. Fictional elephant; 104. It has many arms: Abbr.; 106. Part of a pantheon; 108. Oldsmobile model; 109. Actress Celeste; 111. Way off; 113. McGregor of the “Star Wars” films; 115. Fraternity letters; 119. “Down with you!” ; 120. “You can’t fool me!”

*”Parisians can rest easy. Their iconic Eiffel Tower is in no more danger of an architectural intervention than New York's Lady Liberty or Cairo's Great Pyramid. Unfortunately, ARCHITECT reported on March 17 that a temporary addition was planned after Paris-based Serero Architects sent an e-mail touting its "new design for the restructuring of the public spaces of the Eiffel Tower" and claiming that "[t]he structure is expected to be assembled for the 120th anniversary of the tower construction."

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