1979 The Hobbit (Mind’s Eye Radio Drama)

Release Date: 1979
Reader: Full Cast
Language: English
Adapted By: Bernard Mayes
Organization: Mind’s Eye Radio
Copyright: © 2001 HighBridge Audio
ISBN: 
Duration: 4 hours 13 minutes
Unabridged: No
Country: USA
Licenced: Yes
Formats: Cassette, CD, Digital

Mind’s Eye Radio produced this adaptation of The Hobbit in 1979 for U.S. National Public Radio, featuring local Virginia amateur theatre actors and a low-budget approach with home-made sound effects and library music. Apparently it was deliberately constructed to emulate the style radio dramas of the 1930s and 40s.

Adapted by Bernard Mayes (a founding chairman of NPR), it is known for its breezy, musical, and sometimes criticized, idiosyncratic style compared to modern productions.

This production went on to share both many cast members and musical pieces with their Lord of the Rings adaptation, later in 1979. For a fuller account of the music, see this article at The Tolkien Gateway.

The copyright passed first to Soundelux Audio Publishing and then to HighBridge Audio who are the current holders. In the 45 years since it’s creation it has been continuously available in a large variety of releases – most notably the wooden box releases.

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