55A: We’re playing the “Is it a noun or is it a verb?” game again. In this puzzle, the clue “Hide” is not a verb. It’s a noun that refers to an animal PELT.

57A: Learning how to read a tricky clue is the key to becoming a late week solver. For the clue “Pair of 11s?,” my brain first went to a pair of 11-letter crossword entries, because I see that stuff in my sleep. You don’t want to overthink this one (in other words, don’t be like me). The clue should be read as “What does the number 11 have that would be a pair?” The answer is ONES.

3D: I was not familiar with IZAAK Walton, and his first name has an unusual spelling. Fortunately, the sugary crossings were kind, not to mention delicious.

4D: Hi, kids! The “Paul who was the longtime ‘center square’ on ‘Hollywood Squares’” was the actor and comedian Paul LYNDE. It’s probably worth explaining that “Hollywood Squares” was an American television game show that ran from 1966-81, and in other incarnations after that. The object was to win a game of tick-tack-toe, with celebrities standing in for the squares, contestants representing X and O, and no one ever got thrown off an island or anything. The celebrities had to answer questions asked by the host and the contestants had to determine whether the celebrity was telling the truth. While all the celebrities gave wacky answers to fool the contestants, Mr. Lynde was known for his snarky and campy answers, such as the time he answered the question “Why do Hells Angels wear leather?” by saying, “Because chiffon wrinkles too easily.”

7D: TIL that the actress Marilyn Monroe had more acting range than I thought. No, really! The clue says “Marilyn Monroe played one in ‘Some Like It Hot,’” and the answer is UKULELE. That means she played the role of a four-stringed instrument, and if that’s not acting chops, I don’t know what is. [Don’t listen to her. Ms. Monroe strummed the UKULELE in the movie. — Ed.]

49D: ESSES were trouble for the cartoon character Sylvester the Cat because his creators gave him a lisp.

Constructor Notes

A bit of a sweet stacked treat, today. Hope you found it enjoyable — but do remember to brush immediately after solving!

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