Middle-earth Minutes 7 - J.R.R. Tolkien: Secret Agent 007

Covering the news and events from the last couple of months, Michael Kaiser and Pieter Collier bring you up to date on specific items of interest to any fan of Tolkien.

J.R.R. Tolkien trained as a British spy?

On Sept. 16, 2009, the Telegraph reported that "Novelist JRR Tolkien secretly trained as a Government spy in the run up to the Second World War, new documents have disclosed" (emphasis added). Pieter shows how this story isn't news by citing sources such as the J.R.R. Tolkien Companion and Guide, as well as other Tolkien scholars.



MGM: The Lion, The Ditch, and The Hobbit

The studio with the most recognizable logo in movie history continues to make news. MTV Movies Blog reported on Sept. 25, 2009 that "things are looking bleak", and that the studio needs a total of $170 million to finish out the year and to "fund high-profile projects like The Hobbit". THR.com reported on Oct. 1, 2009 that MGM has "secured enough support from key lenders to allow the studio enough cash to proceed with its participation in The Hobbit." And Variety.com has reported on Nov. 11, 2009 that, according to several sources, MGM "will essentially be auctioned off within the next few weeks."

We discuss all these things, as well as the great news coming out about the progress regarding the script, casting rumors, and more including:

According to SciFi Wire.com, "Gandalf" has read the script, and Comic Book Movie.com asks "Could we being seeing Brian Cox as a Dwarf in The Hobbit?"

Music

This episode features the song "The Grey Havens" by New York band Fathom.


New Segment: Browsing the Tolkien Library

Each episode Pieter will step out of the Tolkien Library with a prized book, or news of upcoming releases, to share with us. This time we discuss his article about The Book of Jonah, which is to become available in February, 2010. Talk centers around Tolkien's work as editor of The Jerusalem Bible, his translation, and possible as-of-yet unsubstantiated participation in translating other books of the Old Testament.



Did C.S. Lewis and Tolkien plan to write together?

C.S.Lewis.com conducted an interview with Dr. Steven Beebe about the forthcoming publication about his discovery of a "previously undiscovered fragment" of a manuscript in the Oxford library. A manuscript which he believes is the much-sought-after beginnings of a collaboration between Lewis and Tolkien.



Festivals

We reported last episode about the Festival In The Shire. Now we have more news; and it is shaping up to be the pinnacle of Tolkien festivals! Pieter fills in some of the particulars on this episode, and we know that you will be anxious to attend this event.

Also, the Edge of the Wild annual Middle-earth Art Exhibition, now into its 7th year, is scheduled for March 26-29, 2009 according to the Facebook Page.

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Sept. 18th in Middle-earth History

  
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Middle-earth Minutes #6: Browsing The Tolkien Library

The change in format is here! I'm joined by Pieter Collier from the Tolkien Library to discuss news and views about all things Tolkien: Literature, Art, Film, Festivals, and more. We're sure that Pieter will become a regular part of Middle-earth Minutes, and are certain that you will enjoy the news that we have brought you... some of which is being heard here for the very 1st time.

Legend of Sigurd Audio Book Delayed:

All those who had pre-ordered the Audio CD were expecting to be listening to it by now. Find out why it is not yet available according to the publisher. But, Harper Collins has some news that is being reported here for the 1st time...

Never-Before Published Hobbit Painting By Alan Lee:

When asked about what else we could expect the answer came back that "the Alan Lee illustrated Hobbit hardback is getting a much deserved reprint with a slightly different cover, which includes a brand new never-before published Hobbit painting by Alan Lee."

We took the opportunity of that good news to discuss Alan Lee and the interview that Pieter conducted with him in March, 2008.

The Edel Silmarillion Student Project:

Further discussion with David Brawn at Harper Collins turned to the Edel Silmarillion, a student project produced by the very talented Benjamin Harff, which was featured on the Tolkien Library. Harper Collins says that The Benjamin Harff Silmarillion "has not been considered commercially". We encourage all Tolkien fans everywhere to take a look at this book, and send a friendly email to both the Tolkien Estate and Harper Collins asking that this book be published so that we may all have a copy. You can email both by visiting Tolkienestate.com/contact, and perhaps, with enough letters from eager fans, we can persuade Harper Collins to release this beautiful book.

Tolkien Settlement: More Than $100 Million:

THR, Esq. reports on the resolution of the litigation between New Line Cinema and the estate of author J.R.R. Tolkien, and we offer our own comments as well as those of Christopher Tolkien (“The Trustees acknowledge that New Line may now proceed with its proposed films of ‘The Hobbit.’”) and Peter Jackson who says that they're "not even greenlit yet", and suggests that we "drop Warner Bros. a line and encourage them to be kind to [the film makers]".

Also, according to High-Def Digest New Line/Warner has delayed The Lord of the Rings Trilogy Blu-ray.

Oxonmoot 2009:

Oxonmoot 2009 will take place at Lady Margaret Hall from September 25th to 27th. Advanced booking has now closed but you can still attend Oxonmoot and pay at the door. For more information, visit the Oxonmoot website.

And lastly, according to Pieter...

Festival In The Shire:

Next year there will be organized a completely new Tolkien event, namely "Festival in the shire - A celebration of all things Tolkien inspired".

It will be held from August 13th -15th, 2010 at Y Plas Machynlleth, Wales, United Kingdom. The town of Machynlleth is located on the edge of beautiful Snowdonia National Park and is the historic capital of Wales.

There is not much known about this event yet, but it promises to be great! I have heard rumors that Ted Nasmith (the Tolkien artist), Jane Chance (the author of many Tolkien related books and articles) and John Garth (author of Tolkien and the Great War) and Tom Shippey (probably the greatest Tolkien scholar alive) are confirmed to be participating/attending. This event will be combining a Tolkien conference with an exhibition of Tolkien-related books, art, memorabilia and other fantasy items. The three-day event will feature food, music and entertainment.

There is no website yet but I have been told it will be going live shortly.

Tolkien fans that wish to provide input on the program planning and events related to Festival of the Shire are encouraged to do so. If you would like to exhibit your company’s products, exhibit items from your personal Tolkien collection, or participate in the entertainment, contact Mark Faith. info [AT] markfaithbooks [DOT] com.

Music:

"Tolkien: The Hobbit and the Lord of the Rings" provided by Brobdingnagian Bards and taken from Music Alley - a place for musicians to upload songs that podcasters from all over can play and help to promote. If you, or a friend, play any music that is Tolkien related please upload to Music Alley and leave us a comment for this episode. We would love to hear and possibly play it on an upcoming episode of Middle-earth Minutes.

Miscellaneous:

Do you have a question or comment for us, or maybe some news that you would like to hear reported? Please leave a comment below. If you would like to have your comments heard in your own voice on Middle-earth Minutes use the "Call Me" widget in the sidebar of the Middle-earth Minutes blog. We would enjoy hearing from you and including it on the show.

And that is it for this episode of Middle-earth Minutes.

Please visit the blog often at middleearthminutes.com

Follow us on Twitter at twitter.com/middleearthmins,

And join us on Frodo Lives: The Middle-earth Online Society at frodolives.ning.com.

Of course you'll also want to bookmark the Tolkien Library at tolkienlibrary.com

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And join the Tolkien Library Group on Facebook.

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Sept. 2nd in Middle-earth History - R.I.P. J.R.R. Tolkien

  
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