TechnoRetro Dads: Bilbo Baggins, Dragon’s Lair, and Ralph Bakshi’s The Lord of the Rings

by RetroZap Staff

The Lord of the Rings has been a favorite story for generations whether in its original literary form, the Peter Jackson films, or (for many GenXers) Ralph Bakshi’s animated version. 

Frodo, Sam, Merry, and Pippin join the party in a quest to destroy the Ring of Power in Ralph Bakshi’s animated vision of J.R.R. Tolkien’s The Lord of the Rings.  JediShua and shazbazzar fondly remember this creepy and strange version of the classic tale, still enjoying the movie and sharing it with others.

Hobbits, a Dragon’s Lair, and The Lord of the Rings make for a great Dungeons & Dragons campaign in the ‘70s and ‘80s as shazbazzar and JediShua take a trip back 40 years (and more) into the past for this episode of TechnoRetro Dads.

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From the Misfits of Science to pumpkins, from snowmen to bubblegum, and a brand new mini-store from the people who brought us Toys ‘R’ Us — several EarBuds send pics and electronic-Ms about several things we’ve been talking about (and should be talking about).

The Lord of the Rings (1978)

Animator Ralph Bakshi committed J.R.R. Tolkien’s The Lord of the Rings to film in 1978 with a combination of animation styles from traditional cels to rotoscoping to make a very ‘70s movie that challenged young viewers and made an imprint on impressionable young minds.  Even Peter Jackson was not immune to the magic of Ralph Bakshi’s The Lord of the Rings, evident in his 2001 version of the first third of the story with scenes derived from this mind-blowing masterpiece that kept kids coming back for more.   

Vinyl Scratchback

When JediShua introduced shazbazzar to “The Ballad of Bilbo Baggins”, the younger ‘Dad sought out more music from Leonard Nimoy, and shazbazzar discovered the album Spaced Out featuring Leonard Nimoy and William Shatner.  With original songs and covers of popular tunes, Captain Kirk and Mr. Spock got groovy in the late ‘60s with an album that boldly went where no record had gone before.  

TechnoRetro Arcade

Sword and sorcery continue in the arcade with the impressive and challenging Don Bluth cartoon video game Dragon’s Lair.  For only two quarters, gamers could control Dirk the Daring in his quest to rescue Princess Daphne from the Dragon’s Lair.

Ralph Bakshi and The Lord of the Rings

Thanks for tuning in to TechnoRetro Dads, EarBuds!  Be sure to subscribe on iTunes or Apple Podcasts.  Don’t forget to rate and review TechnoRetro Dads on iTunes, share us and with us on social media, vote in the EarBuds Christmas bracket, get TechnoRetro merch at TeePublic, and join discussions on Discord about toys, cereal, games, movies and/or shows from the ‘70s and ‘80s by giving the ‘Dads your feedback via voice mail at (209) 878-7323 or sending us your mp3dback via electronic-M to podcast@TechnoRetroDads.com.

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Join shazbazzar and JediShua each week for a look back at the ’70s and ’80s as they share the fun and also fandom of their youth with their families, friends, and EarBuds. Topics include TV, film, music, toys, and games of the ’70s and ’80s as well as franchises which have continued into the 21st Century, like Star Wars, TRON, and (of course) Dungeons & Dragons. TechnoRetro Dads creates new stories as old legends are passed down from one generation to the next.

If you’re a TechnoRetro Dad, the child of one, or just appreciate the ’70s and ’80s, then this podcast is definitely for you!

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