Saul Zaentz dead at 92... - The Barrow-Downs Discussion Forum

Morthoron · 01-04-2014, 01:33 PM

So he didn't make it to his eleventieth birthday, but he tried.

Perhaps his company will be less litigious, Middle-earth-wise, with him gone. After all, Zaentz was a man who once sued John Fogerty, leader singer and composer for Creedence Clearwater Revival, for sounding too much like John Fogerty of Creedence Clearwater Revival.

radagastly · 01-04-2014, 01:46 PM

I'm tempted to quote the Munchkins, but I won't. I can't think of anyone else who so enthusiastically damaged the creative process.

Bêthberry · 01-04-2014, 10:32 PM

Who inherits his rights?

demnation · 01-05-2014, 01:30 AM

The way some are eulogizing him, you'd be forgiven for thinking that Zaentz himself was the creator of Middle-earth.

I'm still not certain how integral he was in getting Jackson's films made, since it seems he and New Line were in court for years. Still, a shame to lose such an influential behind the scenes guy. (Though 92 years on this earth is not too shabby!)

Bêthberry · 01-05-2014, 12:42 PM

I don't think anyone here is missing him.

Inziladun · 01-05-2014, 12:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bêthberry

I don't think anyone here is missing him.

While the man seemed money-hungry to the point of being blind to all else, I never wished him any personal ill will. I just think it's a pity that Tolkien's work has to be subject to litigation over matters of greed.

Bêthberry · 01-05-2014, 03:20 PM

Oh, I didn't mean him ill will, either. But I meant that, his influence on controlling even names from Middle-earth has been excessive. It isn't something most of us relish and I think has harmed and discouraged those particularly who developed Middle-earth activities not for profit but for fun.

And what Morth said about Fogerty.

Mithalwen · 01-05-2014, 03:51 PM

It is just business. The corporation stil owns the rights to the names. They will carry on suing as they have to in order to maintain trademarks. Nothing will change with his death.

Morthoron · 01-05-2014, 05:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mithalwen

Nothing will change with his death.

If there is any divine justice in the afterlife, I can imagine Tolkien puffing merrily upon his pipe while shoving great wads of legal documents down Saul's throat.

Mithalwen · 01-05-2014, 06:34 PM

If there is any justice in the afterlife wil Tolkien be in the same place as Zaentz, let alone any lawyers?

Sarumian · 01-05-2014, 08:00 PM

Shall we ask to transfer this branch to:

What do you assign for Orthanc?

Btw if Saul died from Alzheimer, he probably had been out of business for years.

RIP

Elemmakil · 01-06-2014, 12:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bêthberry

Oh, I didn't mean him ill will, either. But I meant that, his influence on controlling even names from Middle-earth has been excessive. It isn't something most of us relish and I think has harmed and discouraged those particularly who developed Middle-earth activities not for profit but for fun.

And what Morth said about Fogerty.

Yeah, reminds me of Tom Maringer's Shire Post Coins, that were rather brutally shut down. Ironically, had Tom never tried to do the right thing and secure a license to produce (which had for whatever reason been rejected by T.E.) I doubt his operations would ever otherwise had attracted attention. Sometimes it is much better to beg forgiveness than ask permission...

Mithalwen · 01-06-2014, 02:29 PM

I can forgive him something for facilitating The English Patient. Anthony Minghella, one of the Isle of Wight's greatest sons should have been 60 today. Sigh.... much missed.

Snowdog · 09-15-2025, 11:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Elemmakil

Yeah, reminds me of Tom Maringer's Shire Post Coins, that were rather brutally shut down. Ironically, had Tom never tried to do the right thing and secure a license to produce (which had for whatever reason been rejected by T.E.) I doubt his operations would ever otherwise had attracted attention. Sometimes it is much better to beg forgiveness than ask permission...

I remember that. Tom, as Will Whitfoot, was on most of the forums at one time back in the day. He still shows up on Tolkien Forums on occasion. Anyway, he appears to make some Middle-earth items these days, like this 'War of the Rohirrim Brass Stallion pendant.

As for Saul Zaentz, the estate sold the rights to Embracer, which is maybe more accommodating than Saul was?

Huinesoron · 09-16-2025, 01:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Snowdog

I remember that. Tom, as Will Whitfoot, was on most of the forums at one time back in the day. He still shows up on Tolkien Forums on occasion. Anyway, he appears to make some Middle-earth items these days, like this 'War of the Rohirrim Brass Stallion pendant.

As for Saul Zaentz, the estate sold the rights to Embracer, which is maybe more accommodating than Saul was?

Quite possibly! Shire Post Mint actually does a huge range of Middle-earth coins these days; they kickstarted the first set a few years back (I think pre-Covid). I have a fair number of them, they're good quality and fun. My favourite are probably the Rivendell moons, which I have in copper, "gold", and "silver".

hS

Snowdog · 09-16-2025, 09:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Huinesoron

... Shire Post Mint actually does a huge range of Middle-earth coins these days...

Yeah I didn't look that deep into it. I did read about him getting license approval and the kickstarter on the Middle Earth Rangers Forum back in 2017.
He got approval from Tolkien Enterprises, which I believe was the latest name of the Zaentz company?

I also read on MERF that he did a 'treasure hunt' hiding bags of coins in a few places around the country.

01-04-2014, 01:33 PM	#1
Morthoron Curmudgeonly Wordwraith Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Ensconced in curmudgeonly pursuits Posts: 2,515	Saul Zaentz dead at 92... So he didn't make it to his eleventieth birthday, but he tried. Perhaps his company will be less litigious, Middle-earth-wise, with him gone. After all, Zaentz was a man who once sued John Fogerty, leader singer and composer for Creedence Clearwater Revival, for sounding too much like John Fogerty of Creedence Clearwater Revival. __________________ And your little sister's immaculate virginity wings away on the bony shoulders of a young horse named George who stole surreptitiously into her geography revision.

01-04-2014, 01:46 PM	#2
radagastly Shade of Carn Dûm Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Washington, D. C., USA Posts: 299	I'm tempted to quote the Munchkins, but I won't. I can't think of anyone else who so enthusiastically damaged the creative process. __________________ But all the while I sit and think of times there were before, I listen for returning feet and voices at the door.

01-04-2014, 10:32 PM	#3
Bêthberry Cryptic Aura Join Date: May 2002 Posts: 6,003	Who inherits his rights? __________________ I’ll sing his roots off. I’ll sing a wind up and blow leaf and branch away.

01-05-2014, 01:30 AM	#4
demnation Newly Deceased Join Date: Sep 2013 Location: America Posts: 8	Hmmm The way some are eulogizing him, you'd be forgiven for thinking that Zaentz himself was the creator of Middle-earth. I'm still not certain how integral he was in getting Jackson's films made, since it seems he and New Line were in court for years. Still, a shame to lose such an influential behind the scenes guy. (Though 92 years on this earth is not too shabby!) Last edited by demnation; 01-05-2014 at 01:38 AM.

01-05-2014, 12:42 PM	#5
Bêthberry Cryptic Aura Join Date: May 2002 Posts: 6,003	I don't think anyone here is missing him. __________________ I’ll sing his roots off. I’ll sing a wind up and blow leaf and branch away.

01-05-2014, 03:20 PM	#7
Bêthberry Cryptic Aura Join Date: May 2002 Posts: 6,003	Oh, I didn't mean him ill will, either. But I meant that, his influence on controlling even names from Middle-earth has been excessive. It isn't something most of us relish and I think has harmed and discouraged those particularly who developed Middle-earth activities not for profit but for fun. And what Morth said about Fogerty. __________________ I’ll sing his roots off. I’ll sing a wind up and blow leaf and branch away.

01-05-2014, 03:51 PM	#8
Mithalwen Pilgrim Soul Join Date: May 2004 Location: watching the wonga-wonga birds circle... Posts: 9,461	It is just business. The corporation stil owns the rights to the names. They will carry on suing as they have to in order to maintain trademarks. Nothing will change with his death. __________________ “But Finrod walks with Finarfin his father beneath the trees in Eldamar.” Christopher Tolkien, Requiescat in pace

01-05-2014, 06:34 PM	#10
Mithalwen Pilgrim Soul Join Date: May 2004 Location: watching the wonga-wonga birds circle... Posts: 9,461	If there is any justice in the afterlife wil Tolkien be in the same place as Zaentz, let alone any lawyers? __________________ “But Finrod walks with Finarfin his father beneath the trees in Eldamar.” Christopher Tolkien, Requiescat in pace

01-05-2014, 08:00 PM	#11
Sarumian Wight Join Date: Dec 2009 Posts: 129	Shall we ask to transfer this branch to: What do you assign for Orthanc? Btw if Saul died from Alzheimer, he probably had been out of business for years. RIP

01-06-2014, 02:29 PM	#13
Mithalwen Pilgrim Soul Join Date: May 2004 Location: watching the wonga-wonga birds circle... Posts: 9,461	I can forgive him something for facilitating The English Patient. Anthony Minghella, one of the Isle of Wight's greatest sons should have been 60 today. Sigh.... much missed. __________________ “But Finrod walks with Finarfin his father beneath the trees in Eldamar.” Christopher Tolkien, Requiescat in pace