Initiation

a cryptic puzzle by Emily Cox and Henry Rathvon

Some of the clues' answers are too short for their places in the diagram, and need initiation in the form of a letter added to the front. In these cases new words are formed in the diagram. When the diagram is filled, the added letters (taken column by column from left to right) will spell an apt phrase. Answers to clues include eight proper nouns and an uncommon word at 1D.

Across

  • 1.
    Jimmy's successor dressed in elegant style, by habit
  • 6.
    In comeback, the woman mostly takes roles as heartless ballerina types
  • 10.
    Opera house retains one painter
  • 12.
    Wood strand on the tongue
  • 13.
    Spy hot chocolate sauce
  • 14.
    South America embracing movie star
  • 16.
    Rank low in speed
  • 17.
    In Mexico, you and Theo set after our group
  • 18.
    Country involved in prominent Nazi shipwreck?
  • 20.
    Communicate piece of fundamental knowledge
  • 22.
    Silver rod in instrument
  • 24.
    Young lady eating piece of deep-dish pie finally getting slimmer?
  • 25.
    Lousiest sausage, according to hearsay
  • 27.
    Interpret cricket tune in a new way
  • 29.
    A Spanish gentleman is a handsome fellow
  • 31.
    Canopies get stretched tight, you might say
  • 33.
    Tear off price
  • 34.
    Loaded Eric Heiden's cargo
  • 35.
    A yearning letter
  • 36.
    Handles portions of grain
  • 37.
    Expected to get a different desk
  • 38.
    Biblical book deadening things?

Down

  • 1.
    Tip was much better
  • 2.
    Ring used in jump!
  • 3.
    Car turns over repeatedly
  • 4.
    Said, "Okay for takeoff"
  • 5.
    First of sheep held in stationary enclosure
  • 6.
    Skipping a step, start moving
  • 7.
    Direction, for instance, in Spielberg movie
  • 8.
    Write bit for small group
  • 9.
    Do away with structure
  • 11.
    Tag for a woman's unit coming in range of colors
  • 15.
    Sell out lengths of cloth
  • 19.
    Went on drive with narration
  • 20.
    Scottish actor carries expensive weapon (two words)
  • 21.
    Delineates that guy's behind and such
  • 23.
    Skunks' tracks going around wheel
  • 24.
    Cake of gold back of door
  • 26.
    Santa Claus loses time, getting slightly cut
  • 28.
    String broken by fourth of violinists playing piece
  • 29.
    Measure a rearing horse
  • 30.
    Small and smooth
  • 32.
    After "Initiation," award mark