‘Bell Jar’ Defamation Suit Settled

A psychiatrist today settled her suit that alleged a movie of Sylvia Plath’s novel, “The Bell Jar,” defamed her by creating lesbian scenes for a character she asserted was based on her life and relationship with the author.

Dr. Jane V. Anderson will receive a $150,000 settlement and all parties in the suit, including Ted Hughes, Plath’s widower and Britain’s poet laureate, acknowledged that Anderson was “unintentionally defamed.” CBS Inc. and Home Box Office were other major defendants. The settlement came as a trial of the suit was scheduled to enter its sixth day with Anderson taking the stand for cross-examination.