PC People (New York Magazine Puzzle, 5/30/11)

I've just finished the New York puzzle of the week. The theme was "PC People" (first name begins with "P," last name begins with the letter "C". A bunch of interesting names turned up.


23A: Painter célèbre: PAUL CEZANNE (1839-1906). Cezanne's works can be defined in four periods: The Dark Period, where he used primarily dark colors and lots of black; The Impressionist Period, which included lots of landscapes; The Mature Period, where Cezanne painted many scenes of Provence, including mountains; and Final Period, where he withdrew further into his painting and became obsessed with death. His relationship with his family also became stormy during The Final Period.Cezanne also painted lots of self-portraits.


25A: Panelist/Comedian: PEGGY CASS (1924-1999). I remember Peggy Cass mainly as a regular panelist on "To Tell the Truth." I loved that show. She was also a renowned stage and film star. Her work includes Auntie Mame (for which she won a Tony and an Oscar), Don't Drink the Water, Plaza Suite, and One Touch of Venus. She also appeared on an early Fox Show called "Women in Prison."

37A: Power Couple half (Javier Bardem's wife): PENELOPE CRUZ (1974-  ) who of course is the acclaimed actress. She won an Oscar in 2008 for Vicki Christina Barcelona. The film (one of Woody Allen's best) also appeared on many top-10 lists that year.

56A: Platinum collection musician, 2004: PHIL COLLINS (1951-  ). Phil Collins is best known as the lead singer of Genesis. Did you know he also was a child actor? His mother June was an agent. Phil appeared on the London stage as The Artful Dodger in Oliver! He also was in extra in A Hard Day's Night and Chitty Chitty Bang Bang (in a scene that ended up on the cutting-room floor). He almost got a role on the show "The Bugaloos" (remember them?) . . . I loved the music he wrote for the film Tarzan.

59A: With 70-Across, _____ performed country: PATSY CLINE (1932-1963). One of the great female voices of the 20th century, Patsy Cline mentored a number of country singers (e.g., Loretta Lynn, Barbara Mandrell, Dottie West, and Brenda Lee) who were looking for their big break. In 1961, she was involved in near-fatal car crash and rededicated her life to Christianity. Her biggest hit was "Crazy", which made the top 10 on both the country and pop charts. In 1963, Cline died in a plane crash following a benefit concert in Kansas City.

71A: Private College founder (East Village, 1859): PETER COOPER (1791-1883). Cooper developed some of the earliest railroads and later invested in real estate and insurance. Despite his wealth, he lived a modest life. In 1876, he ran unsuccessfully for president. Cooper is most famous for the school he opened in 1859, the Cooper Union (www.cooper.edu). Cooper is one of the leading schools for art and engineering in the United States. Tuition is free, so competition to get in is very tough. My MIL (may she rest in peace) went for two years but had to drop out because she got sick. Not long after that, she got married and never finished. I think she always regretted it. My friend Austin got in despite having no formal training in art. 


89A: Parisian Courtier: PIERRE CARDIN (1922-  ). I didn't realize he was still alive! If you go to his Web site (http://www.pierrecardin.com) you can see a timeline of his fashions from the 1950s to the present. Many of the designs are gorgeous! I just remember him lending his name to a bunch of moderately-priced garments in the 1970s and 1980s. I had a couple of pieces. He also owns Maxim's restaurant in Paris. . . . there used to be one in New York. Today, you can order gift packages featuring candy, coffee, scarves, and champagne.


103A: Popular Crooner: PERRY COMO (1912-2001). I thought he was still alive! Como was from the era of the "crooner" (mid-1940s) and the teenagers were just as wild about him as they were about Frank Sinatra. He also performed in five films for Fox, but he felt uncomfortable with this medium. He hosted three TV shows: "The Chesterfield Supper Club") from 1948 to 1955, "The Perry Como Show" from 1955 to 1959, and "Perry Como's Kraft Music Hall" from 1959 to 1967. Here is a video of one of his most famous hits:

Finally, in 101A, we have the clue "______ played cello." The answer is PABLO CASALS (1876-1973). One of the most greatest cellists of all time, he was highly opposed to Francisco Franco's regime in Spain and declined to appear in countries that recognized the government and lived in Paris. However, he made an exception when he accepted an invitation from President Kennedy in 1961. At the age of 80, he married 20-year-old Marta Montañez y Martínez and together they founded the Casals festival in Puerto Rico.


I'll be back later with the Newsday puzzle comments.

Signing off,
The Puzzlechick