Layers

This puzzle is a triple-layered affair. Entries from Layer 1, the outermost, provide the clues for Layer 2, and letters from the second layer form the clue leading to the entry for Layer 3. Clues for Layer 2 are given in order, Acrosses from top to bottom and Downs from left to right. Clue answers include four proper nouns, one of them in the second layer.

The instructions above are for this month's puzzle only. See a complete introduction to clue-solving.

See the solution to last month's Puzzler.

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1.Turning fifty, gets bent in lounge (6)

6.Colorful fish treats scattered around (6)

12.View world's conclusion and origin (4)

13.Honest noble losing heart (4)

14.Be indebted to sweetheart for auditioning instrument (4)

15.Absorbed by gripping read's opening preface (5)

16.Norma's busted accepting small payments for criminals (7)

17.Close until losing start (6)

19.Person popular in press (5)

21.Record held by Ellen Terry (5)

23.Expert stocks nitrogen for skin condition (4)

25.Great for all ages to watch in color (4)

28.Out of favor, at first memory (4)

29.Not as much belonging to Paul, the guitarist (4)

30.Map feature with three compass points in it (5)

33.Teaching English in simple shelter (5)

35.After opening, Ben is eating passable mushrooms (6)

39.Observed consuming a drink in Michigan town (7)

40.Sondheim's ultimate song? (5)

41.Faithful last to admit regret (4)

42.Guy in capital of the Maldives (4)

43.Oddly chintzy town (4)

44.Source of the equipment for fencing in modest dwellings (6)

45.Crazy passage of tipsy choreographer (6)

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2.Swan's quills (4)

3.Keeps teacher's aide in control (7)

4.Criminal grown reformed (5)

5.Bullets appear in front (4)

7.Dash through "Wasteland" (4)

8.Suggestion to loveless playwright (5)

9.Regarding a match (5)

10.Recited full amount, roughly (4)

11.Engineer's in urgent want (6)

12.Doubly evil sailor (6)

18.One well trapping northern wolf (6)

20.Tennis players gain notice, finally, in Minnesota (6)

22.Selfish types engaged in idle gossip (4)

24.Resistance on board against trite material (4)

26.Common novel in Greece abridged (7)

27.A street light off route (6)

28.Earl picked up by duke before a celebration (6)

31.Bridge, for instance, covered by petition (5)

32.Rigid category in grammar (5)

33.By Monday, invested in bonds (5)

34.Measure average temperature (4)

36.Designate certain paint "interior only" (4)

37.Mess-hall helper collecting the Spanish seaweed (4)

38.Having intelligence and aspiration (4)

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a.34D 38D 10D 13A 22D (3)

b.2D 15A 28A 43A 33D (5)

c.19A 45A, 21A (5)

d.4D 30A 38D 42A 36D (3)

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a.10D 24D 28A 26D 14A 34D (3)

b.13A 4D 9D 33D 19A 29A 32D (5)

c.8D 27D, 21A (3,2)

d.42A 12A 38D 41A 36D (3)

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