When Dimples sued Pinkie : libel and literary journalism in 1930s Britain

Abstract

What happens when media pundits joust against big business interests? In some cases, not much. In other cases, a great deal that results in judicious application of libel laws and threats of litigation. A classic example from 1938 follows, pitting North American media interests against British literary journalism. The unusual case of Shirley Temple versus Graham Greene highlights how far a Hollywood studio was prepared to go to protect the reputation of its most valuable commodity. It is a salutary example of what happens when literary journalists cross the line between fair comment and libel, and a clear example of the entanglement between media practices and moneyed interests.