September of Soundtracks: The Greatest Adventure

When I was a kid, I was introduced to the works of J.R. Tolkien through an animated television special called "The Hobbit". It was a Rankin/Bass production and it featured a very impressive cast consisting of Orson Bean as Bilbo Baggins, John Houston as Gandalf, Hans Conreid as Thorin, Brother Theodore as Gollum and Richard Boone as Smaug the Dragon. There is also an appearance by the great Paul Frees as one of the trolls. It premiered on November 27 and as a result, came just after I had sent in my Christmas list with my letter to Santa. One day, at my grandmother's I was telling my dad that I had forgotten to put something on my list and that I wished that I could add it so that Santa would know that I wanted it. My dad told me we could and he promptly picked up the phone and dialed a number. He told whoever was on the other end that he had an addition to a Christmas list. I was amazed and awestruck. My dad had the direct phone number to Santa's workshop! When he asked what it was, I shouted out "The record from the Hobbit". He restated this over the phone and then said thank you and hung up. A month later, under the Christmas tree was that album! It was a story album that featured the television special on record! I share that record with you now! Here is "The Hobbit". Enjoy!

The Hobbit