Introduction

The Human Jungle
The Human Jungle

ABC Television Ltd., ITV weekend programme contractors for the Midlands and North, commissioned ‘The Human Jungle’ TV film series from Independent Artists (Television) Limited, of Beaconsfield Studios, Bucks.

This series of thirteen one-hour episodes is designed primarily for the United Kingdom television audience. The stories are based on the case histories of a London Psychiatrist – ‘Dr Roger Corder, M.D., D.P.M.’ of Harley Street, London, his young male assistant–Dr James Davis, a young female psychiatric social worker–Jane Harris, an attractive young secretary–Nancy Hamilton, and his teenage daughter–Jennifer.

Julian Wintle and Leslie Parkyn, the well-known feature film-makers who have been responsible for such recent successes as ‘This Sporting Life’, ‘The Fast Lady’, ‘Waltz of the Toreadors’ and ‘Crooks Anonymous’, are producing the series. The starring role of ‘Dr Roger Corder’ is played by Herbert Lom, the distinguished Czech-born star of theatre and films. ‘Dr Davis’ is played by Michael Johnson, Jane Harris by Mary Steele, Nancy Hamilton by Mary Yeomans and Jennifer Corder by Sally Smith.

Writers on the series include John Kruse, David T. Chantler, Lewis Davidson, Leo Lieberman, Bill Mcllwraith and Robert Stewart.

The film directors include John Ainsworth, Sidney Hayers, Jimmy Hill, Vernon Sewell and Don Sharpe. The Art Director is Harry Pottle.

During the production of ‘The Human Jungle’, no concessions have been made to trans-Atlantic TV market requirements. All British actors portraying British parts play them with the natural home accent required by the locale. The total cost of the series, made entirely by ABC Television without partners of any kind, is approximately £300,000 for the first thirteen episodes.

The stars

SALLY SMITH

who plays Jennifer Corder.

Sally Smith, aged 20, with fair hair and blue eyes, is only five foot high, but her dynamic personality often makes her seem ten foot tall. Sally was dancing almost before she could walk and at the age of three went to ballet school. At twelve she made her first professional appearance. Now she has made three films and achieved considerable success in London’s West End theatres where currently she is starring in ‘Lock Up Your Daughters’. As Dr Corder’s wilful daughter, Jennifer, she is delightful.

Michael Johnson

MICHAEL JOHNSON

who plays Dr Jimmy Davis.

No problem for 23 year-old, 6 foot Michael Johnson when he told his parents that he wanted to be an actor, for his father, a school teacher, was already a leading light in the amateur dramatic society in Grimsby, where Michael was born. He was noticed in a small role in a film ‘Seven Keys’, and invited to test for the plum television part as Dr Davis, assistant to Dr Corder in ‘The Human Jungle’.

MARY STEELE

who plays Jane Harris, assistant to Dr Corder.

Aged 29, slender, with brown hair and blue eyes, Mary Steele was born in Hampstead and was evacuated to Cornwall during the war, where she went to school. After matriculating, she went to ballet school then to the Bristol Old Vic and five other repertory companies before graduating into films and the West End theatre. For her role as a psychiatric welfare worker in ‘The Human Jungle’, Mary has talked with people in that field, prison visitors and probation officers to gain background authenticity.

MARY YEOMANS

who plays Nancy Hamilton, Dr Corder’s secretary.

Mary Yeomans was born near Rubery, Worcs., 31 years ago, the daughter of a builder. When, after schooling in Birmingham, Mary asked to go to drama school, her parents were horrified.

As a compromise, she agreed to study to be a school teacher, but also studied acting part time at the Birmingham Repertory School.

The role of Nancy, the reliable bastion between Dr Corder and his patients is her biggest television opportunity to date.

1963 / FROM TRANSDIFFUSION