[Mithalwen]

There are other demographics with cash. The grey pound can be very strong and there have been some very successful films in the past couple of years that have benefitted. Even with the stellar cast I doubt Marigold Hotel cost many Hobbit minutes. Of course though they dont attract the peripheral merchandising tat.

The Hobbit is not a long book and i oo not know to laugh or cry when film apogists iwho defended the omissions of tne Rings (with some justification~ it is the additions I minded more) claim that the Hobbit needed expanded. Yes it isa episodic but it was designed to be. have always thought it would work best as the sort of Sunday teatime classic serial that the BBC used to do when I was a child. Now they seem to think children dont have the attention span to follow a story over several weeks. However it is still how I would wish it done..couple of chapters per shortish episode each ending on a mini cliffhanger.