Here are my alternate clues to the themed answers:

23 Across – She gets the better of philandering varlets?
33 Across – The subhead read “Funeral to be held at Joyous Garde” But what’s the headline?
51 Across – “Verily, Hank Morgan, you astound Arthur’s men of learning.”
64 Across – The knights noticed much refuse along the road in their sunny morning journey to Camelot
74 Across – Gawain selected among options for protecting the castle
86 Across – Galahad said, “My shoe feels a little loose underneath my armor.”
101 Across – This dog soundly thrashed the little dachshund in a number of races
117 Across – “I care not for the will of the entire division!”

I was thinking for a moment that “Fictional Doolittle” could be Dr. John Doolittle, or Eliza’s father Alfred, but neither of the other alternatives would fit.

Still patiently waiting for Eloi to be clued as “Morlock chow.” If I see it one more time, I will construct a puzzle with that clue.

Took could have been clued as “Peregrin’s family name” or “Pippin’s family”

I’m recalling the line from “Bored of the Rings,” “Are you the boggie with the bijou?”

I’m amused that the answers to 1 Across and 128 Across are almost anagrams of each other.

Technorati: Jeremy Newton, NYT Crossword