Easy as ABC

Our 15th Kappa Puzzles Online Contest closed on April 1, 2009. A new contest will appear soon. Here was the challenge:

The correct responses to the following crossword-style clues are common two-word phrases (or possibly hyphenated words) with a special property: Each includes a string of three consecutive letters of the alphabet split between the two halves of the phrase (or word). For example, the clue “Driver's political proclamation, perhaps” could indicate the phrase “bumper sticker,” which includes the letter string “rst.” The challenge is to find all 15 answers.

1. ’30s bandleader

2. Attention-commanding position

3. Chicago landmark

4. Formal discussion before a vote

5. Harmonizing group

6. Jazz trio member

7. Kind of stew

8. Like many a laudromat

9. Like premium products

10. Motion picture facet added in post-production

11. Movie genre

12. Pre-prizefight event

13. Prisoner’s protest

14. Promise of a type

15. Researcher's attire

The answers were as follows:

1. Cab Calloway

2. Center stage or Elder statesman

3. Sears Tower

4. Public debate

5. Barbershop quartet

6. Piano player

7. Beef goulash

8. Coin-operated

9. Top-quality

10. Sound effects

11. Film noir

12. Weigh-in

13. Hunger strike

14. Solemn Oath

15. Lab coat