Me, Cheeta: My Life in Hollywood

Original version

BBC Radio 4 FM

BBC Radio 4 is a radio channel that started transmitting on the 30th September 1967. It replaced BBC Home Service.

BBC Radio 4

Radio 4

Radio 4 (FM)

BBC Radio 4 Extra

BBC Radio 4 LW

Drama: Biographical

BBC Radio 4 - Me, Cheeta: My Life in Hollywood

Cheeta the Chimp looks back on his life as an actor in Hollywood.

John Malkovich stars as Cheeta the Chimp, recalling his years as Johnny Weissmuller’s co-star in the Tarzan movies.

John Malkovich stars as Cheeta the chimpanzee.

The one-time co-star in the Tarzan films now lives in a sanctuary for retired animal actors in Palm Springs where he paints and writes his memoirs.

He recalls how he was captured from the jungle in the 1930s, trained as a performer, and taken to Hollywood to play alongside Olympic swimming champion, Johnny Weissmuller.  

As well as a chimp's eye view of Hollywood's Golden Age, this is a moving portrayal of an enduring friendship between man and beast, and tribute to the innocent boyish beauty of the man who will always be remembered as Tarzan.

Julian Sands stars as Tarzan. 

James Lever’s Me Cheeta: The Autobiography is adapted by Stef Penney.

Cheeta    ……    John Malkovich
Johnny Weissmuller/Tarzan    ……    Julian Sands
'Jane', Phyllis, Beryl Scott, Marlene Dietrich    ……    Edita Brychta
Cedric Gibbons, Chico Marx, George Sanders, John Farrow, Humphrey Bogart   ……    Enn Reitel
Tony Gentry, 'Vic', Errol Flynn, Parrot    ……    Darren Richardson
Dolores del Rio, Lupe Velez, Katrina    ……    Elisa Bocanegra

Other parts played by the cast.  

Sound by Mark Holden and David Thomas.  

Director: Kate McAll

A Pier production for BBC Radio 4, first broadcast in November 2018.

Intelligent speech, the most insightful journalism, the wittiest comedy, the most fascinating features and the most compelling drama and readings anywhere in UK radio.

Accessibility links

Programme Index

Me, Cheeta: My Life in Hollywood

Genres

BBC Radio 4 FM

About BBC Radio 4