Flywheel, Shyster, and Flywheel
Other namesThe Marx Brothers' Flywheel, Shyster and Flywheel
GenreSituation comedy
Running time30 minutes
Country of originUnited Kingdom
Language(s)English
Home stationBBC Radio 4
SyndicatesBBC Radio 4 Extra
Starring
Created by
Written byMark Brisenden
Directed byDirk Maggs
Produced byDirk Maggs
Recording studioParis Theatre, London
Original release2 June 1990 (1990-06-02)[1] –
22 August 1992 (1992-08-22)[2]
No. of series3
No. of episodes18
Audio formatStereo
WebsiteOfficial website Edit this at Wikidata

Flywheel, Shyster, and Flywheel is a BBC Radio 4 1990 situation comedy radio show, adapted from a 1932 American radio show of the same name. The original series starred two of the Marx Brothers, Groucho and Chico, and was written primarily by Nat Perrin and Arthur Sheekman. It depicted the misadventures of a small law firm, with Groucho acting as attorney Waldorf T. Flywheel, and Chico playing Flywheel's assistant Emmanuel Ravelli. In 1988 the show scripts were rediscovered in the US Library of Congress, and were adapted by the BBC two years later. The lead roles are performed by professional Marx Brothers soundalikes: Michael Roberts as Groucho's Flywheel and Frank Lazarus as Chico's Ravelli. Other cast members include Lorelei King playing all the female roles, Graham Hoadly as the Announcer and roles in every episode, Vincent Marzello (Lorelei's husband), Spike Milligan and Dick Vosburgh guest starring. During the recording sessions, on occasions Michael Roberts (as Groucho) would adlib certain comments and these were left in the final recordings.

The scripts for the 1990 series were adapted by Mark Brisenden for a modern British audience, and the performances were directed by Dirk Maggs. Rather than each episode being a direct remake of an individual American episode, the 1990 episodes often included material from two or even three different 1932 episodes, and occasionally with additional jokes from Marx Brothers' films. The success of the first series led to another two series being produced.

Episode list

SeriesEpisodeTitleFirst broadcastBased on 1930s episodes
11The Stolen Rembrandt
in which Flywheel and Ravelli investigate a Crime		2 June 1990[1]1, 4 and 17 with material common to Animal Crackers
2Flywheel and Juliet
in which Flywheel treads the Boards		9 June 199014, with Lydia from At the Circus
3Big Joe Crookley
in which Ravelli is kidnapped		16 June 19901 and 12, with song from Horse Feathers
4Finding Foo Foo
in which Flywheel and Ravelli become dog catchers		23 June 19903 and 9
5One Round Gombatz
in which Ravelli takes it on the chin		30 June 199010 with song from Cocoanuts
6The Election
in which Flywheel and Ravelli fix some votes		7 July 19905, 6 and 16 with song from Horse Feathers
21Dr. Hackenbush
in which Flywheel becomes a medical man		11 May 19917
2Uncle Abner
in which Flywheel nearly buys the farm		18 May 199113
3Convict Ravelli
in which Ravelli falls foul of the Law		25 May 19916
4The Big Store
in which Flywheel runs a department store		1 June 199115
5Captain John Smith
in which Flywheel and Ravelli find an old geezer		8 June 19913
6Going Hollywood
in which Flywheel and Ravelli go into pictures		15 June 199125
31Crexton Mansion
in which Flywheel and Ravelli have a sleep over with a ghost		11 July 199224
2The Laughing Hyena
in which Flywheel and Ravelli go prospecting		18 July 199211 and new material
3Fly by Wheel Tours
in which Flywheel and Ravelli inherit a bus		25 July 199220
4The Chicago Clarion
in which Flywheel and Ravelli get a scoop		1 August 199222
5Coney Island
in which Flywheel and Ravelli join the carnival		8 August 199218
6Miracle on Eatwell Street
in which Flywheel and Ravelli cook up a Christmas		15 August 1992[2]5

References

  1. 1 2 "Flywheel, Shyster and Flywheel". Radio Times. Vol. 265, no. 3468 (South East ed.). BBC Magazines. 31 May 1990. p. 67. ISSN 0033-8060 – via BBC Genome Project.
  2. 1 2 "The Marx Brothers' Flywheel, Shyster and Flywheel". Radio Times. Vol. 274, no. 3581 (London ed.). BBC Magazines. 13 August 1992. p. 85. ISSN 0033-8060 – via BBC Genome Project.

Sources


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