A BBC radio entertainment from the Marx Brothers’ lost shows, starring Michael Roberts and Frank Lazarus

‘For me this BBC version is a flattering improvement!’ Nat Perrin, co-creator of the initial 1932 Marx Brothers Radio series

First broadcast in America’s NBC network between 1932-33, Flywheel, Shyster and Flywheel charted the exploits of shady lawyer Waldorf T Flywheel (played by Groucho Marx) and his dopey assistant, Emmanuel Ravelli (played by Chico Marx). The initial recordings had been dropped, about Flywheel, Shyster and Flywheel: THE ENTIRE Series 1-3: A recreation from the Marx Brothers’ lost shows however the scripts were rediscovered and edited by Michael Barson. We were holding published as Flywheel, Shyster & Flywheel: The Marx Brothers Shed Radio Present and licensed for any dramatic adaptation by the BBC.

Between 1990 – 92, BBC Radio 4 recorded the adaptation before a live studio room audience. Its fast-paced and quickfire gags proved to be a hit, earning a Gold Medal at the New York International Event in 1992.

Within this collection will be the three complete radio series, made by the award-winning Dirk Maggs (The Hitchhiker’s Information to the Galaxy) and released together for the very first time. In these eighteen shows, the duo take care of a Rembrandt, make an effort to bamboozle a millionaire, stay in a haunted mansion and join the carnival – along with a great many other hilarious misadventures.

Michael Roberts takes on Groucho’s role as Flywheel, while Frank Lazarus deputises for Chico seeing that Ravelli. Among the standard solid are Lorelei King, Graham Hoadly and Vincent Marzello, with guest stars including Spike Milligan and Dick Vosburgh.

Made by Dirk Maggs

A BBC Studios production