Microphones in Middle-earth...the BBC Lord of the Rings - The Barrow-Downs Discussion Forum

Mithalwen · 08-18-2013, 12:59 PM

I didn't get to actually speak to him as there we too many with the same wish at the British Library hobbit event last year but myvfriend who went to RoTR got his autograph for me which I treasure.

Hordern was remarkable. A great Shakespearean and the voice of Gandalf...and Paddington Bear. Welcome to the Downs.

Olwe · 08-18-2013, 01:08 PM

I have been reading at the Downs for years (on and off) but haven't actually gotten around to becoming a member. I thought it was high time

My article on Michael Hordern is now online via my page; I won't spam it here (this being my second post only *g*) but if you take an interest in this I'll link to my blog in my profile in a second.

Mithalwen · 08-18-2013, 01:27 PM

Well done for taking the plunge. I would certainly be interested in reading it.

Mithalwen · 08-18-2013, 01:53 PM

Oh wow... there is a recognisable name.

Since the article is pertinent to the subject, and you are open about your connection I think it would be fine and indeed useful to link to it here. And I hope you will find other things here that interest you.

Enjoy being dead as we say here.

davem · 08-18-2013, 03:44 PM

The series is available for download via the BBC at a very reasonable price (along with some other Tolkien stuff here http://www.audiogo.com/uk/catalogsea...ult/?q=tolkien £6.99/$10.99. Brian Sibley's Audio Portrait is very good (just wish his other Radio 4 doc, Fired by the Ring was also available.

Some of you might also be interested to hear that the soundtrack to the BBC Jackanory adaptation of TH will also be available in October http://www.amazon.co.uk/The-Hobbit-J...ckanory+hobbit so we can listen again even if we can't watch.

Mithalwen · 08-18-2013, 09:00 PM

Fantastic. The Jackanory recording was my introduction to Tolkien and missing the final episode for Brownies meant I bought the book.

davem · 08-18-2013, 11:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mithalwen

Fantastic. The Jackanory recording was my introduction to Tolkien and missing the final episode for Brownies meant I bought the book.

Sadly, its just the audio. Don't know if the video will be available (or if its survived even). Did find this little bit on You Tube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1efGqdPtZPg

Pervinca Took · 08-19-2013, 05:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mithalwen

Actually that isn't a particular loss. I have no visual memory of it save Bernard Cribbens sitting crouched forward, but very strong memory of his voice.

I remember the opening credits. They were quite special/celebratory. I think it was a special anniversary - maybe the 100th Jackanory story, or something like that?

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mithalwen

Fantastic. The Jackanory recording was my introduction to Tolkien and missing the final episode for Brownies meant I bought the book.

Mine too, but I think I only saw/heard the Giant Spiders episode. So not significantly "spoilered."

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mithalwen

I didn't get to actually speak to him as there we too many with the same wish at the British Library hobbit event last year but myvfriend who went to RoTR got his autograph for me which I treasure.

Hordern was remarkable. A great Shakespearean and the voice of Gandalf...and Paddington Bear. Welcome to the Downs.

Also the narrator of the Watership Down film (which also featured Richard O'Callaghan, as Blackberrry, I think, and I've an idea Michael Graham Cox was Bigwig, too).

Michel Hordern was also Baptista in The Taming Of The Shrew (Zeffirelli film).

And of course he was Badger in the Cosgrove Hall "The Wind In The Willows" too (both the film and the six TV series) - he's very like Gandalf in that, but a little more rustic in his speech.

Welcome to the Downs from me too.

davem · 08-19-2013, 08:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pervinca Took

I remember the opening credits. They were quite special/celebratory. I think it was a special anniversary - maybe the 100th Jackanory story, or something like that?

It was the 3000th. The opening, and a little bit from the third episode, are in that You Tube clip I linked to in my last post.

And they say nostalgia isn't what it used to be

Pervinca Took · 08-19-2013, 12:35 PM

Thanks for that, davem. 3000th story, or 3000th episode?

Mithalwen · 08-19-2013, 02:33 PM

I think it must have been episode. Even if it ran solidly it would take over fifty years to do 3k stories at one a week.

Pervinca Took · 08-20-2013, 06:23 AM

Yes, you're right.

A pity they didn't have the foresight to preserve all the episodes in visual form. A few of the other classics have survived, as they were released on video. Perhaps there was still enough anti-Tolkien snobbery at the time for "The Hobbit" not to be viewed by people making such decisions as classic children's literature (although enough positive feeling for it to get an important anniversary slot - different decision-makers, perhaps).

Then again, it could be completely random. So many good quality recordings have been wiped.

Mithalwen · 08-20-2013, 07:31 AM

Is it the case rhat the visualschave been lost or is it a coomercial or copyright issue? I think Brian Sibley said something upthread about rights changing., it amy be that it has to be an audio for copyright issue even though it is a dramatic reading rather than a dramatisation. Or it maybe thought that modern children won't watch people reading and a cd to play in the car is a better bet.

Anyway, I am so, excited that i will get to hear this again.

08-18-2013, 12:59 PM	#1
Mithalwen Pilgrim Soul Join Date: May 2004 Location: watching the wonga-wonga birds circle... Posts: 9,461	I didn't get to actually speak to him as there we too many with the same wish at the British Library hobbit event last year but myvfriend who went to RoTR got his autograph for me which I treasure. Hordern was remarkable. A great Shakespearean and the voice of Gandalf...and Paddington Bear. Welcome to the Downs. __________________ “But Finrod walks with Finarfin his father beneath the trees in Eldamar.” Christopher Tolkien, Requiescat in pace

08-18-2013, 01:08 PM	#2
Olwe Newly Deceased Join Date: Aug 2013 Location: Berlin, Germany Posts: 2	Thanks for the welcome :) I have been reading at the Downs for years (on and off) but haven't actually gotten around to becoming a member. I thought it was high time My article on Michael Hordern is now online via my page; I won't spam it here (this being my second post only g) but if you take an interest in this I'll link to my blog in my profile in a second.

08-18-2013, 01:27 PM	#3
Mithalwen Pilgrim Soul Join Date: May 2004 Location: watching the wonga-wonga birds circle... Posts: 9,461	Well done for taking the plunge. I would certainly be interested in reading it. __________________ “But Finrod walks with Finarfin his father beneath the trees in Eldamar.” Christopher Tolkien, Requiescat in pace

08-18-2013, 01:53 PM	#4
Mithalwen Pilgrim Soul Join Date: May 2004 Location: watching the wonga-wonga birds circle... Posts: 9,461	Oh wow... there is a recognisable name. Since the article is pertinent to the subject, and you are open about your connection I think it would be fine and indeed useful to link to it here. And I hope you will find other things here that interest you. Enjoy being dead as we say here. __________________ “But Finrod walks with Finarfin his father beneath the trees in Eldamar.” Christopher Tolkien, Requiescat in pace

08-18-2013, 03:44 PM	#5
davem Illustrious Ulair Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: In the home of lost causes, and forsaken beliefs, and unpopular names,and impossible loyalties Posts: 4,240	The series is available for download via the BBC at a very reasonable price (along with some other Tolkien stuff here http://www.audiogo.com/uk/catalogsea...ult/?q=tolkien £6.99/$10.99. Brian Sibley's Audio Portrait is very good (just wish his other Radio 4 doc, Fired by the Ring was also available. Some of you might also be interested to hear that the soundtrack to the BBC Jackanory adaptation of TH will also be available in October http://www.amazon.co.uk/The-Hobbit-J...ckanory+hobbit so we can listen again even if we can't watch. __________________ “Everything was an object. If you killed a dwarf you could use it as a weapon – it was no different to other large heavy objects."

08-18-2013, 09:00 PM	#6
Mithalwen Pilgrim Soul Join Date: May 2004 Location: watching the wonga-wonga birds circle... Posts: 9,461	Fantastic. The Jackanory recording was my introduction to Tolkien and missing the final episode for Brownies meant I bought the book. __________________ “But Finrod walks with Finarfin his father beneath the trees in Eldamar.” Christopher Tolkien, Requiescat in pace

08-19-2013, 12:35 PM	#10
Pervinca Took Ghost Prince of Cardolan Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: The Treetops, C/O Great Smials Posts: 5,035	Thanks for that, davem. 3000th story, or 3000th episode? __________________ "Sit by the firelight's glow; tell us an old tale we know. Tell of adventures strange and rare; never to change, ever to share! Stories we tell will cast their spell, now and for always."

08-19-2013, 02:33 PM	#11
Mithalwen Pilgrim Soul Join Date: May 2004 Location: watching the wonga-wonga birds circle... Posts: 9,461	I think it must have been episode. Even if it ran solidly it would take over fifty years to do 3k stories at one a week. __________________ “But Finrod walks with Finarfin his father beneath the trees in Eldamar.” Christopher Tolkien, Requiescat in pace

08-20-2013, 06:23 AM	#12
Pervinca Took Ghost Prince of Cardolan Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: The Treetops, C/O Great Smials Posts: 5,035	Yes, you're right. A pity they didn't have the foresight to preserve all the episodes in visual form. A few of the other classics have survived, as they were released on video. Perhaps there was still enough anti-Tolkien snobbery at the time for "The Hobbit" not to be viewed by people making such decisions as classic children's literature (although enough positive feeling for it to get an important anniversary slot - different decision-makers, perhaps). Then again, it could be completely random. So many good quality recordings have been wiped. __________________ "Sit by the firelight's glow; tell us an old tale we know. Tell of adventures strange and rare; never to change, ever to share! Stories we tell will cast their spell, now and for always." Last edited by Pervinca Took; 08-20-2013 at 06:27 AM.

08-20-2013, 07:31 AM	#13
Mithalwen Pilgrim Soul Join Date: May 2004 Location: watching the wonga-wonga birds circle... Posts: 9,461	Is it the case rhat the visualschave been lost or is it a coomercial or copyright issue? I think Brian Sibley said something upthread about rights changing., it amy be that it has to be an audio for copyright issue even though it is a dramatic reading rather than a dramatisation. Or it maybe thought that modern children won't watch people reading and a cd to play in the car is a better bet. Anyway, I am so, excited that i will get to hear this again. __________________ “But Finrod walks with Finarfin his father beneath the trees in Eldamar.” Christopher Tolkien, Requiescat in pace