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Really struggling with this. I have the majority of the 'normal' answers, but cannot work out 1 across, which is crucial to solving the thematic clues. Any hints would be welcome.

The clue for 1 across (for those without the crossword) is just a definition, ie not cryptic.

It is : A makeshift (11).

The letters I (tentatively) have are:

?I?EN??E?N?

Thanks

Try Film Directors.

The first six letters of the entry belong to the word defined by 'A makeshift' (which has nine letters); the remaining three letters of this word need to be replaced by a five-letter word before entry - the title of the puzzle should help you to work out what needs to be substituted 'for' what. The letters that you have are correct.

Thanks - I need to go away and think about that. It's annoying that I think I know what's needed, but it's somehow just out of reach. If I still can't make it, I might be back. At least it's keeping me out of mischief.

Well...I now have the first six letters of 1 across. Are we looking at sex changes here, or am I way off the mark? I can see a couple of possible names in there.

yes change the boy's name to a girl and vice versa ( not necessarily the same number of letters?

yes should have said ... original answer is 9 letters ....change the bot at the end to a 5 letter girl to fit the wordplay

... and if you REALLY get stuck there is always the frogman's website with hints / answers
http://www.thefrogman.net/index_files/Page881.htm

Seasonally speaking, 'a for the ' in 1ac, with the replacement being more generic in the other 18.

...that should read 'a x for the y' (my angle brackets got misinterpreted)