Today’s Saturday Stumper

Today’s Newsday  Saturday Stumper is by Stan Newman, the puzzle’s editor, constructing under his own name. Which means difficult. “Advancement” (25-D, seven letters) was difficult. I “Made random advancement” (27-D, five letters) and had to look up three answers to finish, which I did, after forty-five minutes.

Some clue-and-answer pairs of note:

1-A, ten letters, “Image innovation of the ’40s.” I thought it must have had something to do with the movies.

15-A, ten letters, “High points of an 11-Across tour.” This answer surprised me. (11-A, four letters, “Austria’s second city.”)

17-A, ten letters, “They’re puzzling.” I’ll say.

30-A, three letters, “Wriggler seen on beaches.” I guess, sort of, maybe. Or maybe not?

36-D, nine letters, “What LEDS can emulate.” I think I’ve been fooled.

46-D, six letters, “‘Spare me’ sounds.” Funny.

57-D, four letters, “Puzzle out.” A word I always associate with Betty Aberlin, by way of a comment she left on an OCA post. Lady Aberlin, commenting here!

60-A, ten letters, “About to commence?” In a puzzle teeming with challenges, I was happy to figure this one out immediately, sans crosses.

63-A, ten letters, “Latter-day lucky charms.” New to me.

My favorite in this puzzle: 1-D, nine letters, “Express avoidance.”

No spoilers; the answers are in the comments.