having problems with crossword to day any help appreciated

[genius55]

symbol erected to speed by the french (5,4) ????? ?o??

alien beast backed to make sheets (8) l?m?????

writer making aristocracy fashionable (6) ???k??

unlacerated? these days the books are 'for idiots' (7,5)
first word begins W

[lloyd1e]

40a totem pole
21a I think is lamina?? not sure of the last two letters
17d Rankin
24d is Without ....something - don't have the second word yet

[genius55]

thanks lloyd must be laminate et the beast?

[dzug]

laminate (et - animal)

[genius55]

do you think its without tears lloyd?

[Argee2]

Without tears?

[lloyd1e]

Good idea - fits with unlacerated and self-help books are often entitled '.......without tears' eg 'French without tears' or something like that!

[dzug]

without tears?

[dzug]

If it's totem pole (as I think it is ) then 29d can't be Melchester (Roy's team). I'll have to try again for that one.

[tiger2]

29d introverts - in-t-rover-t-s