A secret weapon? - The Barrow-Downs Discussion Forum

Oddwen · 04-24-2007, 09:52 AM

Gandalf's beard was also said once to "stand out stiff like bristling wire" - he's probably got very thick hair - I'm not at all surprised his eyebrows stood out. He's also got excellent forehead muscles - all that brow-furrowing & worrying has built up quite a foundation for all that hair.

Or maybe they're extendable? I remember he "stuck out his bushy eyebrows" at Bilbo in anger - does Gandalf have retractable eyebrows?

Finduilas · 04-24-2007, 10:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Oddwen

Gandalf's beard was also said once to "stand out stiff like bristling wire" - he's probably got very thick hair - I'm not at all surprised his eyebrows stood out. He's also got excellent forehead muscles - all that brow-furrowing & worrying has built up quite a foundation for all that hair.

Or maybe they're extendable? I remember he "stuck out his bushy eyebrows" at Bilbo in anger - does Gandalf have retractable eyebrows?

Ha. Maybe so, but some how I don't think so. Maybe they did grow sideways, and when he "stuck out his bushy eyebrows" they shifted forwards.

Oddwen · 04-24-2007, 10:46 AM

Quote:

Maybe they did grow sideways, and when he "stuck out his bushy eyebrows" they shifted forwards.

...in a flapping motion? Like wings?

Now I can imagine Gandalf sailing over the Misty Mountains, eyebrows twirling like a helicopter...

Finduilas · 04-24-2007, 10:57 AM

Quote:

in a flapping motion? Like wings?

Precisely!

Aganzir · 04-26-2007, 09:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Oddwen

Now I can imagine Gandalf sailing over the Misty Mountains

Actually, Gwaihir doesn't exist. He's just a commercial invention of the publisher, for who would read a book where an old man flies with his eyebrows (Tolkien's original plan), rather than is carried by a noble eagle?

Anyway, I went to see the film Goya's Ghosts yesterday. There was an old priest Father Gregorio, played by Michael Lonsdale, whose eyebrows would surely almost match Gandalf's. Unfortunately, I can't find a proper photo of him anywhere.

Ataralasse · 05-03-2007, 07:52 PM

As I recall, his hat is described as 'shady'.

Whenever I read that (or read about it

), I always try to picture Gandalf's large eyebrows sticking out beyond the brim of his shady hat. I can never get it. LOL

04-24-2007, 09:52 AM	#1
Oddwen Drummer in the Deep Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: Next Sunday A.D. Posts: 2,145	Gandalf's beard was also said once to "stand out stiff like bristling wire" - he's probably got very thick hair - I'm not at all surprised his eyebrows stood out. He's also got excellent forehead muscles - all that brow-furrowing & worrying has built up quite a foundation for all that hair. Or maybe they're extendable? I remember he "stuck out his bushy eyebrows" at Bilbo in anger - does Gandalf have retractable eyebrows? __________________ But all the while I sit and think of times there were before I listen for returning feet and voices at the door

05-03-2007, 07:52 PM	#6
Ataralasse Pile O'Bones Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Mirkwood Posts: 20	As I recall, his hat is described as 'shady'. Whenever I read that (or read about it ), I always try to picture Gandalf's large eyebrows sticking out beyond the brim of his shady hat. I can never get it. LOL __________________ This was unexpected and rather difficult. There was some scattered clapping, but most of them were trying to work it out to see if it came to a compliment.