Before the hit documentary “Wordplay” came out, Will Shortz was radio-famous.
If he said his name out loud, someone in the room would know him as the weekend puzzle master for National Public Radio, and The New York Times crossword editor.
But after his whimsical, everyguy mug starred in “Wordplay,” Shortz started getting recognized on the streets of New York. Jon Stewart wants his help writing crossword love notes. Thirty people a week ask for an application to the annual crossword tournament featured in the movie, when before he was lucky to get 30 requests in six months.
And for the first time, Shortz has had to hire a screening staff to open mail from puzzlers who want their crossword in The Times.
“It’s become a necessity, just to survive,” Shortz said by phone from New York. “I’m not complaining, though.”
“Wordplay” enjoyed the best reviews of last summer’s movies, and for good reason. The sweet, just-right documentary, out today on DVD, follows the quirky top competitors to the 2005 crossword championship, and lightens the proceedings with celebrities addicted to their daily grid. A hilarious Stewart, Bill Clinton, Yankees ace Mike Mussina, the Indigo Girls and others brought their wit and their fascinating crossword egos to the film.
It didn’t hurt that the 2005 championship – the 28th annual – featured a crack three-way final among the best solvers, and a dramatic, heartbreaking twist for one of the would-be champions. (Fort Collins’ own Al Sanders, for the puzzlers keeping a scorecard.)
“The one you saw on film was one of the two greatest tournaments ever. Maybe the best ever,” Shortz said.
The DVD is packed with suitable extras, from five classic NYT puzzles selected by Shortz to longer interviews with the celebrities. If nothing else, watch the Stewart interview. Put on the spot by director Patrick Creadon, the “Daily Show” host creates a fantastic crossword joke.
The DVD also features a commentary track, where Shortz, Creadon and fellow puzzler Merl Reagle were asked to chat during the full run of the movie. “I was dubious about that at first,” said Shortz. “I was thinking, this is going to be 90 percent silence. But by God, we talked nonstop for 84 minutes, and we could have done it over again twice and said new things each time.”
No, there will not be a Sudoku movie, Shortz said, clearly having been asked the question before. All the Sudoku books with his name on them, Shortz admitted, are created by a colleague and a computer in the Netherlands. Shortz writes the introductions, and tips on how to solve the exercises in pure logic.
Ironically, the success of “Wordplay” has outdated the movie’s chief location, at the Marriott in Stamford, Conn. Shortz will hold the 30th anniversary tournament one last time at the Marriott next March (crosswordtournament.com), then move to a bigger hotel. “We can’t all fit in both ballrooms anymore,” Short said.
While Shortz seems as affable as his radio and movie personality, mentioning his hobby brings out a slight edge. Puzzling is his career and his love, but his free time is dedicated to championship-level pingpong. The DVD extras include a scene of Shortz battling a New York opponent.
“I’ve entered my first tournament, two weeks from this weekend, so we’ll see how I do,” Shortz said. “Based on who I beat at the clubs, I know I’m a very good player. But not one of the best players in the country, yet – which is my goal.”
Sounds like another documentary. Is Christopher Guest available?
Staff writer Michael Booth can be reached at 303-954-1686 or at mbooth@denverpost.com; try the Screen Team blog at denverpostbloghouse.com.
