Reuben J. Dodd's 'Malicious Falsehood': Ulysses on The BBC (1954–5)

Abstract

Abstract:On 16 June 1954, BBC Radio 3 broadcast a dramatic adaptation of the 'Hades' episode from Ulysses. Reuben J. Dodd Junior sued the BBC, claiming that he had been libelled in the production. He won an out-of-court settlement due to an error on the part of the BBC. This article suggests that Joyce's reluctance to return to Ireland was partially due to a fear of being sued for libel. It highlights the recurrence of the 'one and Eightpence' theme in Ulysses and looks at the BBC's suite of programmes for Bloomsday 1954. The BBC legal preparation for the case stresses the conflicted reception of Joyce's work in Ireland. The BBC settled as it did not wish to have an Irish court determine if a potential libel was committed at the point of reception or the point of transmission. It was also concerned about the potential anti-English bias of an Irish jury. The article concludes with a consideration of the increased awareness of the link of the Dodd family with Ulysses as a result of the legal proceedings.