Today’s Saturday Stumper

Today’s Newsday  Saturday Stumper is by “Anna Stiga,” or Stan Again, Stan Newman, the puzzle’s editor, using the penname that signifies an easier Stumper. It was easier, but not that easy. I made three mistakes that I caught only when I read through the puzzle for choice clues and answers.

The choice items:

1-A, ten letters, “Buster Keaton silent sleuth spoof (an AFI ’Funniest’).” If it’s a giveaway, I’ll take it. This clue had me ready to like this puzzle.

5-D, five letters, “20-year Swedish coffee commercial character.” What? thought I. I’m supposed to know a character from Swedish advertising? Oh, wait.

11-A, four letters, “Bar tended at restaurants.” This one’s tricky.

14-A, eight letters, “They hold bread racks.” I was trying to think of a seven-letter word for a cash register.

18-A, four letters, “Name related to 2-Down.” And 2-D, six letters, is “Butte neighbor.” I’ve seen the answer to 18-A similarly clued in a recent Stumper. Experiential learning.

30-A, three letters, “Central casting.” I’m not sure I understand this one.

35-A, seven letters, “Fish out of water.” Clever and a bit misdirective.

35-D, eight letters, “What Ariel and Aladdin are at Disney World.” A slighty wacky anwer, and appropriately so.

36-D, eight letters, “It has the most primary interstates passing through it.” Heck yeah.

40-A, eight letters, “Lodging place?” Groan.

53-D, five letters, “Kitchen brand created from female names.” It feels strange to now know that.

60-A, ten letters, “Extreme avoidance.” One of the more difficult clues in the puzzle.

63-A, ten letters, “Don’t go straight.” Another of the more difficult clues in the puzzle. So many possibilities.

My favorite in this puzzle: 27-A, seven letters, “Mac not a PC.” So clever, and everyday life gave me the answer.

No spoilers; the answers are in the comments.