<P> It is sometimes confused with the later BBC production in 1981, but is distinguished by the fact that the most widely circulated US edition comes in a wooden box, whether on compact discs or cassette tapes . </P> <P> The cast includes Ray Reinhardt (Bilbo), James Arrington (Frodo), Pat Franklyn (Merry), Mac McCaddon (Pippin), Lou Bliss (Sam), Bernard Mayes (Gandalf and Tom Bombadil), Gail Chugg (Narrator), and Tom Luce (Strider / Aragorn). Additionally, Franklyn, McCaddon, Chugg, Reinhardt, Bob Lewis, John Vickery, Erik Bauersfeld and Carl Hague were credited for "additional voices". </P> <P> The radio script of The Lord of the Rings was written by Bernard Mayes . It emphasized dialogue over description . The broadcasts totaled more than 11 hours . The budget was small and production time was limited . The cast were local theater players, and the production used stock music and homemade sound effects . The script of The Lord Of The Rings is notable for including the Tom Bombadil scenes, unlike most other adaptations of the book . </P> <P> This production was popular at the time of its broadcast . It was later overshadowed by the BBC radio dramatization . The Mind's Eye also produced a six - hour adaptation of The Hobbit . </P>

The lord of the rings - mind's eye radio