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Contact:
Clayton Berry
Phone: 314.977.7117
berrycl@slu.edu

October 18, 2001

ST. LOUIS -- When the producers of the upcoming "Lord of the Rings" film needed assistance, they turned to one of world's leading authorities on J.R.R. Tolkien. Dr. Tom Shippey, the Walter J. Ong, S.J., Chair of Humanities at Saint Louis University, was delighted to help.

For decades, Shippey has studied the life and work of one of literature's most popular authors. His connections to the "The Hobbit" scribe are remarkable: Shippey taught at Oxford University during the same time and with the same syllabus as Tolkien. He also lived across the street from the noted author and held the chair of English language and medieval literature at Leeds University that Tolkien had previously held. Shippey even played on the same Rugby team.

The producers of the film -- which hits theatres Dec. 19 -- asked Shippey to carefully pronounce the names of characters and places featured in the book, taking particular care with the many different languages and scripts that are used in the Tolkien epic. Shippey is available to discuss what the modifications will be needed to translate the story to the screen and what filmmakers will need to get right to satisfy Tolkien's legions of fans. He also can give his reaction to the film upon its release. You may contact Shippey directly in his office at (314) 977-7196 or by e-mail at shippey@slu.edu.

Although Tolkien's fantastic, mythic universe took hold of succeeding generations' imaginations -- "The Hobbit" has sold 40 million copies and the "Lord of the Rings" has sold a combination 150 million copies -- many literary critics stubbornly dismiss his work. Shippey has made it his mission to set the record straight.

In his latest book, "J.R.R. Tolkien: Author of the Century," Shippey not only argues Tolkien's literary merits, but also offers a unique and revealing reading of the books that introduced the imaginary world of Middle-earth.

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