for Libel Miss Cicely Debenham, the well-mown musical comedy actress, sought damages for libel from Messrs. D. C. Thomson & Ca., and Mr. W. F. Anckorn, the London editor of '"'Thomson's Weekly News' before Mr. Justice' Darling and a special jury, in the King's Bench Division recently. She complained of the publication of a photo of herself standing by a child, accompanying which were the words:
Starring in Who's Hooper."
s Cicely Debenham, who is pli in "Who's Hooper" at the Adelphi Theatre, with her little daughter Peggie.
Miss Debenham is unmarried, and has never had a. child.
Defendants said the picture was intended to be complimentary, and was published unwittingly, and they had since printed an apology for publishing what they now knew to be the photo of plaintiff with a friend's child.
Mr. Patrick Hastings, x.c., for Miss Debenham, said although the defendants had apologized, the jury would be asked to form an opinion whether their apology was intended to be genuine, or whether it was a device resorted: to in order to minimize the damages. The libel upon her was Of a very serious kind, Awkwarp Inquiries.
As a result of the publication. of the photo Miss Debenham received inquiries from different parts of the country as to how she came to have a child, what was the explanation of her having concealed the fact, and whether she was really married or not.
Cross-examined by Mr. Holman Gregory, K-c., for defendants, Miss Debenham agreed that it was the practice for actresses to be photographed without paying for it, and the photo would be sold to the newspapers, as was done in this case.
You were only too glad to have it taken because you were getting advertisement out of it?—Yes.
Advertisement is the sun of your professional life?—Not quite.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.