Today’s Saturday Stumper

Today’s Newsday  Saturday Stumper, by Matthew Sewell, teems with obliquity. I thought it’d be fun to say that. It’s a very difficult Stumper — an hour’s worth for me. It teems with obliquity.

Some clue-and-answer pairs of note:

1-D, four letters, “Hoe foe.” There’s an obvious answer to guess here, and it would seem to fit with 1-A, four letters, “Significantly lessen,” but it would be wrong.

10-D, thirteen letters, “Royal news source since 1665.” Whoa.

14-D, four letters, “Virtual reality purveyor.” Interesting to see clues that blur digital and analog categories.

15-D, six letters, “Quick charge.” Really clever.

17-A, fifteen letters, “They say it ain't so, formally.” Great clue and answer.

18-D, thirteen letters, “Seat of power.” Robert Moses’s swivel chair at the Triborough Bridge and Tunnel Authority? Uh, no.

20-A, eight letters, “Hand axes?” Obliquity, teeming.

23-D, five letters, “Smart devices.” See 14-D.

28-A, five letters, “Primary course.” I can’t believe I got this one, no crosses.

37-A, three letters, “Galaxy part.” Which kind?

41-D, six letters, “Beatles ‘Be thankful I don't take it all’ tune.” Maybe the only giveaway in the puzzle.

50-D, four letters “Forest* A *___ (online woods management tool).” I’ve seen this strange clue before, with slightly different wording, in a Brad Wilber Stumper. I never thought I’d see it again.

51-A, fifteen letters, “Iconic song on AFI’s 100 list (recorded 1500+ times) named for a ’55 film you've likely never heard of.” You’re right about that. It’s quite a song.

54-A, three “Letter letters more often seen with one S.” Slightly awkward.

55-A, six letters, “Standing trial.” See 14-D.

My favorite in this puzzle: 4-D, eight letters, “Special feature.” My first thought: the goodies the Criterion Collection adds to a DVD.

No spoilers; the answers are in the comments.