Jump to content

Flywheel, Shyster, and Flywheel (1990 radio series)

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

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

[edit]
Series Episode Title First broadcast Based on 1930s episodes
1 1 The Stolen Rembrandt
in which Flywheel and Ravelli investigate a Crime
2 June 1990[1] 1, 4 and 17 with material common to Animal Crackers
2 Flywheel and Juliet
in which Flywheel treads the Boards
9 June 1990 14, with Lydia from At the Circus
3 Big Joe Crookley
in which Ravelli is kidnapped
16 June 1990 1 and 12, with song from Horse Feathers
4 Finding Foo Foo
in which Flywheel and Ravelli become dog catchers
23 June 1990 3 and 9
5 One Round Gombatz
in which Ravelli takes it on the chin
30 June 1990 10 with song from Cocoanuts
6 The Election
in which Flywheel and Ravelli fix some votes
7 July 1990 5, 6 and 16 with song from Horse Feathers
2 1 Dr. Hackenbush
in which Flywheel becomes a medical man
11 May 1991 7
2 Uncle Abner
in which Flywheel nearly buys the farm
18 May 1991 13
3 Convict Ravelli
in which Ravelli falls foul of the Law
25 May 1991 6
4 The Big Store
in which Flywheel runs a department store
1 June 1991 15
5 Captain John Smith
in which Flywheel and Ravelli find an old geezer
8 June 1991 3
6 Going Hollywood
in which Flywheel and Ravelli go into pictures
15 June 1991 25
3 1 Crexton Mansion
in which Flywheel and Ravelli have a sleep over with a ghost
11 July 1992 24
2 The Laughing Hyena
in which Flywheel and Ravelli go prospecting
18 July 1992 11 and new material
3 Fly by Wheel Tours
in which Flywheel and Ravelli inherit a bus
25 July 1992 20
4 The Chicago Clarion
in which Flywheel and Ravelli get a scoop
1 August 1992 22
5 Coney Island
in which Flywheel and Ravelli join the carnival
8 August 1992 18
6 Miracle on Eatwell Street
in which Flywheel and Ravelli cook up a Christmas
15 August 1992[2] 5

References

[edit]
  1. ^ a b "Flywheel, Shyster and Flywheel". Radio Times. Vol. 265, no. 3468 (South East ed.). BBC Magazines. 31 May 1990. p. 67. ISSN 0033-8060.
  2. ^ a b "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.

Sources

[edit]


[edit]