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 episodes11The Stolen Rembrandtin which Flywheel and Ravelli investigate a Crime2 June 19901, 4 and 17 with material common to Animal Crackers2Flywheel and Julietin which Flywheel treads the Boards9 June 199014, with Lydia from At the Circus3Big Joe Crookleyin which Ravelli is kidnapped16 June 19901 and 12, with song from Horse Feathers4Finding Foo Fooin which Flywheel and Ravelli become dog catchers23 June 19903 and 95One Round Gombatzin which Ravelli takes it on the chin30 June 199010 with song from Cocoanuts6The Electionin which Flywheel and Ravelli fix some votes7 July 19905, 6 and 16 with song from Horse Feathers21Dr. Hackenbushin which Flywheel becomes a medical man11 May 199172Uncle Abnerin which Flywheel nearly buys the farm18 May 1991133Convict Ravelliin which Ravelli falls foul of the Law25 May 199164The Big Storein which Flywheel runs a department store1 June 1991155Captain John Smithin which Flywheel and Ravelli find an old geezer8 June 199136Going Hollywoodin which Flywheel and Ravelli go into pictures15 June 19912531Crexton Mansionin which Flywheel and Ravelli have a sleep over with a ghost11 July 1992242The Laughing Hyenain which Flywheel and Ravelli go prospecting18 July 199211 and new material3Fly by Wheel Toursin which Flywheel and Ravelli inherit a bus25 July 1992204The Chicago Clarionin which Flywheel and Ravelli get a scoop1 August 1992225Coney Islandin which Flywheel and Ravelli join the carnival8 August 1992186Miracle on Eatwell Streetin which Flywheel and Ravelli cook up a Christmas15 August 19925
References
Sources
External links
BBC adaptation director's website details for , series 2 and . Flywheel, Shyster and Flywheel at britishcomedy.org.uk