I've blogged recently about the three puzzles that have never appeared in Across Lite format on the NYT web site (here and here). There's one left and I've saved my favorite for today.
When I first started building the database at www.xwordinfo.com I kept wondering when I'd get to that Patrick Merrell crossword I remembered so well. It never showed up because it wasn't there. It doesn't fit the standard electronic format. I finally built a close-enough approximation, not so much because an Across Lite version is valuable in itself, but so I could include that puzzle in my database, give Mr. Merrell credit for it, have all the answer words indexed properly, and so on. It's available now for the first time on a web database.
Let's go back to January 15, 2004. If you don't remember this crossword I want to encourage you to try it on your own but I don't want to tell you anything about it. To get the best experience, print out this PDF file and solve it the old-fashioned way. If you're out of paper, my Across Lite version mostly works but don't read the notepad until you're done. Of, if you insist, view the answers at xwordinfo.
Ok, I'll reveal one reason why I love this puzzle. 37 Down might be my favorite clue of all time: "Extinct Namibian shrub genus: Var." Now, go forth and solve.
Update: it turns out today's Thursday puzzle by Michael Langwald (answers) is a dandy too. There's a bit of a maternal bent with Charlemagne's mom and Jesus' grandmother. I was feeling good that the theme tumbled out quickly but I wondered if anyone even slightly younger than me would have trouble. I also wonder which "Fields" was meant at 4 Down. I'm hoping W.C. but I suppose Sally would also qualify. [John Farmer points out that Sally is only a Field, not Fields. I really must chastise my fact-checking department for this. - JH]
Today's image is Mr. Henry VI, friend of crossword constructors everywhere. Who cares what else he accomplished; in 1440 he founded a public school he christened the King's College of Our Lady of Eton beside Windsor, commonly known to solvers everywhere simply as, well you know.
Jim, I tried the PDF, got a "Safari can't connect to the server 'localhost'" or some such message.
Posted by: KarmaSartre | April 23, 2008 at 09:07 PM
I had a bad link that only worked from my own computer. It should be fixed now. The JimH Crossword Blog regrets the inconvenience.
Posted by: JimH | April 23, 2008 at 09:12 PM
Thank you so much for making the puzzle available. I didn't find all ten (Shorts) being one, but loved the search.
I had an error tonight. I misspelled UIE (uwe works sort of phonetically) and feeling off could be thought of as down as could the switch position off be down. Still enjoyed it.
Posted by: PhillySolver | April 23, 2008 at 10:00 PM
Geez, I hope the everyone knows W.C. Fields, even the kids. They're missing out if they don't. Totie was another Fields in the COMEDY field but she's more likely to be forgotten. I don't think Sally Field would work for the clue. But maybe if she married another Field. Marshall Field? Safeco Field? Well, maybe not.
Posted by: john farmer | April 23, 2008 at 11:08 PM
PhillySolver, I had UWE for a moment too, thinking "Get off!" = "Get DOWN!" But I figured there were better ways to clue UWE (which last appeared, I surprised to see, 10 years, 2 days ago).
Posted by: john farmer | April 23, 2008 at 11:12 PM
Noticed the blurb on the .pdf that had a pay help-line for the puzzle.
The Saturday paper here used to have the same thing, only the answer grid was printed upside down below it.
I always wondered if I was suppose to send someone money if I looked at it.
Posted by: rick | April 24, 2008 at 06:05 AM
John Farmer,
I was thinking Totie Fields, especially as it has come up quite a few times in the NY Times puzzle this past year.
Profphil
Posted by: profphil | April 24, 2008 at 08:39 AM
@JFarmer -- Just announced, there is still a Safeco Field. Many in the Puget Sound area were afraid it would be renamed Liberty Mutual Field due to a very recent acquisition, but the new owners want to retain the name. Not sure about Strawberry...
Posted by: KarmaSartre | April 24, 2008 at 09:22 AM
I'm still chuckling over the Extinct Namibian shrub genus. The "Var." at the end makes it perfect! Another great post, Mr. H.
Posted by: CrossEyedBear | April 24, 2008 at 09:24 AM
Rick, you owe 50 cents for each glimpse. It's a moral imperative. Send the money directly to me and I'll make sure it ends up somewhere, uh, useful.
Posted by: JimH | April 24, 2008 at 09:26 AM
Jim, when I see alphabet trio (or any such clue), my first guess is RST. Seems like it's correct 80% of the time. Don't suppose there is any way of checking in the database, as it could be clued so many different ways. Or?
The Merrell puzzle was very good, thanks for digging it out. 37d (Extinct Namibian shrub genus: Var.) had me going for a while until I realized the answer was not a quarfoot.
Posted by: KarmaSartre | April 24, 2008 at 10:28 AM
Instead of the "Shorts" being wrong, my guess is that the 10th thing wrong is that there are only nine things wrong with the puzzle (contradicting the theme answer) ???
Posted by: Danny | March 31, 2009 at 11:36 AM