User Reviews

Made by Independent Artists for Britain's A.B.C. Television, 'The Human Jungle' was a popular drama series of the early '60's starring Herbert Lom as Harley Street psychiatrist 'Dr.Roger Corder'. Each episode saw him being given a new patient suffering from some mental disorder and attempting to cure him/her by getting to the root of the problem. He was like a medical 'Sherlock Holmes'. Guest-stars included Rita Tushingham, Joan Collins, and ( in this episode ) pop star Jess Conrad. The latter became something of a figure of fun in the '70's when disc jockey Kenny Everett chose several of his recordings - which included 'Why Am I Still Living?' and 'Cherry Pie' - as being amongst the very worst of all time. Conrad appeared in a number of movies which also earned him derision, such as the ludicrous 'King Kong' rip-off 'Konga' ( 1961 ) starring the late Michael Gough. To his credit, Jess has been circumspect about his plight, probably feeling ( rightly ) that its better to be laughed at, than ignored. I saw him being interviewed by Des O'Connor several years ago, and he came across as a likable chap with a nice line in self-deprecating humour.

'The Flip Side Man', directed by Sidney Hayers, from a script by Robert Stewart, cast Conrad as 'Danny Pace', a pop idol loved by millions, but with a major mental health problem. He thinks he is being stalked by a double; firstly, at a concert, and then in a recording studio. Pace's manager, 'Laurie Winters' ( the late Annette Carell ) calls in Corder. The psychiatrist eventually learns that Pace is plagued by demons of guilt after his pregnant wife ( Maureen Davis ) died as the result of a domestic accident on the night he triumphed at a local talent contest. Tracking Pace down to the dance hall he won the contest at, he finds the singer reacting in horror to the sight of himself in a full-length mirror. He smashes it, before driving away in his sports car, whereupon he collides with an oncoming ambulance, and is killed. Pace's manager asks Corder to tell the police that Danny died trying to avoid the ambulance, in order to make the tragic news look good in the press. A disgusted Corder tells him to "go home and think!".

Conrad was never going to be a candidate for a 'Best Actor' Oscar, but he acquits himself rather well here. On top of his guilt over his wife's death, he is also under great pressure from his managers to live up to his 'boy next door' image. It would be easy to say that Pace was based on pop stars of the day such as Adam Faith or Cliff Richard, but really he looks to be based more on Jess Conrad.

'The Human Jungle' was produced by Julian Wintle and Leslie Parkyn, whose film credits include 'The Fast Lady', 'The One That Got Away', and 'Unearthly Stranger'. Wintle went on to produce the Diana Rigg episodes of 'The Avengers'. If the excellent moody theme tune sounds a bit James Bond-like, its not surprising, as it was played by John Barry and his Orchestra ( though composed by Bernard Ebbinghouse ).

Two seasons were made, and there were howls of anguish from viewers when it ended. The great news is that this intelligent, well-acted film series is getting a full D.V.D. release later this year.

Interviewed by The Daily Mirror in 1986 ( when the series was being repeated by Channel 4 ), Conrad said that he was looking forward to seeing his episode for the first time, as he'd always missed it in the past due to work commitments. I wonder what he thought of it?

Here is typecasting. Pop star and actor Jess Conrad plays pop idol Danny Pace.

Every time he comes on stage to perform, girls scream the place down just like they do with The Beatles.

The trouble is Pace is a man who haunted himself. He believes that he is being stalked by a double.

His manager Laurie Winters who discovered Pace in a talent show calls in Dr Corder.

Eventually Corder learns something more about Pace's tragic past and the sacrifices he was willing to make to get to the top of the music ladder.

Although the episode is nearly 60 years old. There is very little here that has gone old regarding the daily grind of the pop stars and the exploitation by their management. Apart from little girls do not scream at their idols non stop like they used to.

I did think that Corder would had learnt more about what happened to Pace's wife earlier or from his daughter. Something like that would not have remained her secret.

It is also a story highlighting the darker side of show business and also has a dark ending. Corder cannot cure everyone.