EV 1020: Loss by Samuel

[DocHH]

Hello everyone,
I had a sinking feeling when I did the first pass through the clues looking for gifts! I found the clues hard, but fair in retrospect.
Hopefully someone will confirm the answer lengths indicated in brackets in 2 of the 10 answers undergoing "LOSS" before entry are wrong. Also that the number of clues with superfluous lettters is more than 29. I reckon the first 4 of those who may have been subjected to "LOSS" account for 26 letters, and the 5th is longer than 3 letters! Plus I think there is a missing bar under the 3rd letter of 7ac, A few new words for me.
Quite liked how the grid displays the theme!
Now it is defintely time for a preprandial Jamesons!

[novalis]

Hi Christiana!

23 across is a clash in the last letter. You need to remove the first and last letters from a 6 letter word for force. The definition is the last two words of the clue.

[devadolly]

I don't know about you bringing up the rear Christina, I think I'm a mile or two behind you! I really do need some help on the last few + theclashing letters and straight lines.....all making my brain hurt! 15a & d, 33d & 36d. 26a I think I have but cannot for the life of me see the word-play and 43a seems a strange answer considering the theme. I currently have three clashes, one mentioned above and two others in the same across.......................................
...Help!

[Spreadman]

Hi devadolly
15d - First part meaning down as in carpets, second part 'mums' skinned. Last 4 words being definition.
15a - **g*
33d - I had problems with this, see my previous entry. Try kayakamina's reply but with 3 letters in the last word. The definition is carelessly.
36d - Definition is 'fool'. Try abbrv. for about + another word for fortune.

26a - Answer is a name found in 'had dynamite'
43a - See previous entries can't help much more except B** ***
For the shape and clashing letters, think of a song by Barry Manilow which is relevant to the 'losses' in the grid.
Hope this helps without giving too much away.

[devadolly]

Thank you for the help Spreadman, will print and ponder more closely later.

[kayakamina]

Hi DD

I was intrigued by Spreadman's Barry Manilow hint as I had never heard of a song by this name.
Googled it and sure enough!

[novalis]

Hi Kayakamina!

Have heard the song but I don't rate it as one of his better ones.

[Christiana]

Thanks Novalis - you confirmed what I'd worked out but then had second thoughts ...
Nice to know I'm not alone in the rear, Devadolly. Haven't looked at it since my last posting, but will now make an effort to finish off. I fear the clashes might yet sink me without trace.

[cruciverbali]

Competition puzzle today Doc, so we have a chance to see if we can do any better. Still, chacun a son gout, as we port drinkers say !

http://image.guardian...2/05/24/2083june3.pdf