November 27, 1977 –
Rankin/Bass’ animated version of The Hobbit, voiced by actors Orson Bean, Richard Boone, Hans Conried, John Huston, Otto Preminger, Cyril Ritchard, and Brother Theodore, premiered on NBC TV on this date.
In the book, Bilbo is knocked unconscious by a falling rock during the Battle of Five Armies immediately after seeing the eagles arrive to help. In the movie, perhaps due to an anti-war bias at the time of filming, Bilbo states that he “simply doesn’t understand war” and then hides behind a stone, using the ring to become invisible and watching the entire battle. When asked about his whereabouts Bilbo lies and says that he had “a bump to the head” and was “out for hours“.
The Haus of Dcaligari 