Theme: Well, not too inspired, as themes go. Worth trying to get one of the long (across or down) clues because it’ll help with the others.
(In case you don’t know: Question marks mean wordplay is involved. This puzzle fits the most common type: Well-known phrases are altered in some consistent way throughout the long answers. The clue accurately defines the actual answer rather than the well-known phrase.)
I got “Prince’s pottery equipment” last. More common to think of the well known phrase as associated with a king rather than a prince.
Only other across theme clue/answer is 104-Across. 3-Down, 14-Down, 36-Down, & 58-Down are the othertheme-related clues. Unusual to have so few Across theme clues.
Other hints on the theme:
Stop proceeding in the maze when you reach the end?: Boy is this a stretch for a small amount of word play! You’re not going to get your $200. this way!
Strategy employed by a Siberian Hansel and Gretel?: Since they wouldn’t have bread crumbs, what would they use?
Haymakers?: The “phrase” in this case, is quite appropriate for this Sunday, if you follow this category of event.
Other hints:
Like some church matters: Various forms of the root of this word are very common in xwords. Remember that not all church matters are matters of the church.
Dr. Moreau’s creator: He’s also the creator of xword-land’s favorite human species of the future, the ELOI.
It can be shocking: Well, EEL is too short. No matter how shocking this is, it can’t electrocute you.
Ginger Spice’s first name: It isn’t Ginger? What if you had to make a girl’s name out of Ginger but could only use 4 letters.
Good-sized musical group: What’s a good size? Depends, doesn’t it. For a symphony, this wouldn’t be “good-sized” and the answer, ironically, sounds like it doesn’t have anyone in it at all.
Det. Bonasera on CSI: NY — In my mind, I hear Marlon Brando calling to her now.
“The Player” director — One of the most well-known Hollywood directors. He’s famous also for his famous Hollywood actors per movie ratio, but his most well-known movie takes place a couple thousand miles east of LA.
Feats of construction: Ah, the agony of da feat! Really, calling these constructions “feats” is a bit overstated. We’re not talkin’ pyramids, here, something much more mundane.
Hawker: Most commonly, of fish. As in “fish ______”
Ten, for openers: Sometimes you’ll see a question mark after clues like this. It’s not about an ANTE, what it “opens” isn’t a game or a door.
If you enjoyed these hints, bookmark this page. I try to post every night (the on-line puzzle comes out the night before the printed puzzle). And while you’re here, check out the rest of the site!