The Human Jungle (TV series)

Independent Artists
Industry	Television production
Headquarters	United Kingdom
Products	Television dramas

The Human Jungle is a British television drama focused on the work of a psychiatrist, created for ABC Weekend TV by the production company Independent Artists.

Featuring Herbert Lom in the role of Dr Roger Corder and Sally Smith portraying his daughter Jennifer, the series consists of 26 episodes, each running about 50 minutes, spread over two seasons from 1963 to 1965.

Outline

The narrative of each installment revolves around a distinct patient whose mental health challenges are addressed by Dr Corder through a compassionate and unconventional method. This approach combines classical Freudian psychoanalysis with modern practices influenced by the ideas of R. D. Laing. The show demonstrates various psychiatric techniques including word association, group therapy, role-playing exercises, and hypnotherapy. Frequently, the first patient introduced is not the central figure in the episode’s psychological storyline.

Given the 50-minute duration per episode, it is suggested that Corder’s therapeutic process continues beyond what is depicted within each individual episode.

Main

Herbert Lom as Dr Roger Corder M.D., D.P.M.
Michael Johnson as Dr Jimmy Davis
Sally Smith as Jennifer, Dr Corder’s daughter
Mary Yeomans as Nancy Hamilton, secretary
Mary Steele as Jane Harris, personal assistant

Guests (alphabetical by surname)

... [the list of guest performers continues]

Production

Ronald J. Kahn, credited as "assistant to the producers," originated the series, which was produced by Julian Wintle and Leslie Parkyn.

The opening theme was composed by Bernard Ebbinghouse, with arrangements crafted by John Barry and his Orchestra.

Distinguished guest performers featured in the show included Joan Collins, Margaret Lockwood, Flora Robson, Roger Livesey, Rita Tushingham, and André Morell.

Filming for the initial series took place at Beaconsfield Film Studios, which ceased operations shortly thereafter; the subsequent series was produced at the Associated British Studios located in Elstree, a facility owned by the parent company of ABC, the Associated British Picture Corporation.

John Kruse fulfilled the role of script editor, while Dr Hugh L. Freeman provided expert psychiatric guidance on behalf of the National Association for Mental Health (currently known as Mind).

Series one

The listed air dates correspond to broadcasts on ABC Weekend TV. Regional schedules and episode sequencing on ITV varied; the episode order presented follows that of the Network DVD release.

Episode No.

Title

Director

Writer

First Broadcast

Template:Episode list Template:Episode list Template:Episode list Template:Episode list Template:Episode list Template:Episode list Template:Episode list Template:Episode list Template:Episode list Template:Episode list {{Episode list

 |EpisodeNumber=11 
 |Title=Time-Check 
 |OriginalAirDate=8 June 1963 (1963-06-08) 
 |WrittenBy=Lewis Davidson 
 |DirectedBy=Alan Cooke 
 |ShortSummary=Starring Melvyn Hayes and Warren Mitchell 
 |LineColor=BFF0FF

}} {{Episode list

 |EpisodeNumber=12 
 |Title=The Two Edged Sword 
 |OriginalAirDate=15 June 1963 (1963-06-15) 
 |WrittenBy=Bill MacIlwraith 
 |DirectedBy=Vernon Sewell 
 |ShortSummary=Featuring Pauline Yates and Roger Delgado 
 |LineColor=BFF0FF

}} {{Episode list

 |EpisodeNumber=13 
 |Title=Over and Out 
 |OriginalAirDate=22 June 1963 (1963-06-22)

|WrittenBy=

John Kruse
Lewis Davidson (story)

 |DirectedBy=Vernon Sewell 
 |ShortSummary=Stars Ian Bannen and Zena Marshall 
 |LineColor=BFF0FF

}}

Series two

The broadcast dates correspond to transmissions by Associated-Rediffusion; however, airings on ITV regions differed. Episodes were shown two days later by ABC Weekend Television. The sequence presented follows the Network DVD distribution.

Episode No.

Title

Director

Writer

Original Broadcast Date

Template:Episode list Template:Episode list Template:Episode list Template:Episode list Template:Episode list Template:Episode list Template:Episode list Template:Episode list Template:Episode list {{Episode list

 |EpisodeNumber=10 
 |Title=Skeleton in the Cupboard 
 |OriginalAirDate=22 April 1965 (1965-04-22) 
 |WrittenBy=Bill MacIlwraith 
 |DirectedBy=Roy Baker 
 |ShortSummary=Featuring performances by Roger Livesey, Ann Firbank, Allan Cuthbertson, Russell Waters and Donald Pickering 
 |LineColor=BFF0FF

}} {{Episode list

 |EpisodeNumber=11 
 |Title=Wild Goose Chase 
 |OriginalAirDate=29 April 1965 (1965-04-29) 
 |WrittenBy=Marc Brandel 
 |DirectedBy=Vernon Sewell 
 |ShortSummary=Cast includes Francesca Annis, Vladek Sheybal, Faith Brook, Gary Watson, Aimée Delamain and Tony Steedman 
 |LineColor=BFF0FF

}} {{Episode list

 |EpisodeNumber=12 
 |Title=Enemy Outside 
 |OriginalAirDate=6 May 1965 (1965-05-06) 
 |WrittenBy=Bill MacIlwraith 
 |DirectedBy=Roy Baker 
 |ShortSummary=A guest cast featuring Lloyd Reckord, Tony Tanner, Avis Bunnage, Barbara Ferris and Rona Anderson  
 |LineColor=BFF0FF

}} {{Episode list

   |EpisodeNumber=13  
   |Title=Heartbeats in a Tin Box  
   |OriginalAirDate=13 May 1965 (1965-05-13)  
   |WrittenBy=Robert Stewart  
   |DirectedBy=Roy Baker  
   |ShortSummary=A cast including Susan George, Gerald Harper, Ray McAnally, John Junkin, Donald Eccles, Tenniel Evans and Arnold Ridley  
   |LineColor=BFF0FF

}}

DVD

In November 2012, the entire series was made available as a 7-disc DVD collection (Region 2), featuring a series companion authored by Andrew Pixley.

External links