Mr. Shaw’s Missing Millions
—With Michael Holroyd—
Mr Shaw’s Missing Millions (1993) is a television drama‑documentary imagining the playwright George Bernard Shaw returning to London decades after his death to investigate what became of the fortune he left behind for public good.
In the programme, Shaw—played by Ian McKellen—comes back 43 years after his death to see how the money he bequeathed to institutions such as the British Library and other cultural causes has been used. Accompanied by his real‑life biographer Michael Holroyd, Shaw tours modern London, questioning arts funding, bureaucracy, and whether his ideals have survived in practice.
Blending drama, satire, and cultural commentary, the film uses Shaw’s sharp wit to reflect on:
- The commercialization of culture
- The legacy of great artists
- Whether public institutions honour the intentions of their benefactors
The programme is not a literal investigation into financial fraud; rather, it is a thought experiment and social critique, using Shaw as a vehicle to explore the state of British cultural life in the late 20th century. Its tone mirrors Shaw’s own voice—intellectually playful, provocative, and skeptical of authority.
Key Details
Format: Drama‑documentary / satirical fantasy
Title: Mr Shaw’s Missing Millions
Year: 1993
Producer: Jack Emery; Drama House for the ‘Without Walls’ arts strand
Broadcaster: Channel 4
Starring: Ian McKellen as George Bernard Shaw
Thanks to @forgottentelevisiondrama2750 for details