IMPORTANT NOTE: As of January 2015 MGWCC is a subscribers-only crossword. The cost is $26 per year, and you can subscribe (or get a free trial month first) here:
LAST WEEK’S RESULTS:
We were looking for a Best Picture winner that would complete last week’s theme, and our four theme entries were:
17-A [Pagan practice] = NATURAL RELIGION
25-A [Gathering in the auditorium] = STUDENT ASSEMBLY
45-A [Rival of Reuters] = ASSOCIATED PRESS
61-A [Activist’s exhortation] = SIGN THE PETITION!
What’s the common link? Tough for non-Americans, easier for Americans, and very easy for American attorneys. Citing the First Amendment in full:
Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the government for a redress of grievances.
The missing one from the grid is speech, and the Best Picture ending in that word is 2010’s THE KING’S SPEECH, found by 389 solvers. Low for a Week 1 of 5; toughish meta or everyone was on vacation? Maybe both, but more of the former.
Gogingerale asks:
But I thought this weekend was when we celebrated NOT having a king…?
To which Neville responds:
Isn’t it ironic?
CoyoteCreed suggests another title:
Firth things Firth?
And bschoner wonders:
If I come up with a better answer, can I amend this later?
This week’s winner, whose name was chosen randomly from the 389 correct entries received, is Jane of Brooklyn, N.Y. In addition to a MGWCC pen, pencil and notepad set, Jane will also receive a 1-year subscription to Matt Gaffney’s Daily’s Crossword.
MONTHLY PRIZES FOR JUNE:
Ack! I forgot these! Coming next week, with 12 winners instead of the usual 10 to atone for my forgetfulness.
THIS WEEK’S INSTRUCTIONS:
This week’s contest answer is an island in the Mediterranean Sea.
Solve well, and be not led astray by words intended to deceive.