Tribute celebrates Tolkien

Kirk Baird

Friday, April 8, 2005 | 8:41 a.m.

The "Lord of the Rings" trilogy was a box-office smash, grossing nearly $3 billion worldwide.

As audiences have flocked to the movies, the books have enjoyed considerable attention as well.

Written by JRR Tolkien a half-century before the movies were released, "The Lord of the Rings" trilogy remains one of the more popular book series in circulation at the Henderson Libraries.

"The movies have inspired a whole bunch of people to go read the books, and that's a good thing," said Michelle Mazzanti, head of acquisitions and bibliographic services for Henderson Libraries.

"It has introduced people to a genre that they weren't aware of before."

To capitalize on the high interest in Tolkien's work and to honor National Library Week, the Paseo Verde Library, 280 S. Green Valley Parkway, will host the JRR Tolkien Celebration and Tribute from Sunday to April 18.

The celebration includes showings of all three extended versions of the films, "The Fellowship of the Ring," "The Two Towers" and "The Return of the King" separately and in a one-day marathon.

"Fellowship of the Ring" will be shown at 6 p.m. Tuesday; "The Two Towers" will be shown at 6 p.m. Wednesday; "Return of the King" will be shown at 6 p.m. Thursday. The marathon screening of the trilogy begins at 9 a.m. April 16. All screenings will be in the Paseo Verde Library's conference room, projected on a 15-foot screen and presented in Dolby-Digital surround sound.

Tolkien expert Dr. Brad Eden will present a two-part lecture series on the author and his works at 7 p.m. Monday and 7 p.m. April 18. Both lectures are in the Paseo Verde Library's conference room.

There is also an ongoing exhibit of Tolkien and "Lord of the Rings" artifacts, books and film items through April 18 in the gallery of the Paseo Verde Library.

There is no admission charge for the films, lectures or exhibit.

Even though the "Lord of the Rings" film series concluded in 2003 with "The Return of the King," Mazzanti said the books will continue to find new audiences.

"I think (Tolkien) touches on some aspects of society that people can still relate to, even though the books are set in a different time or world," she said. "I think that it makes an exciting adventure, no matter what time frame."