Python mapscript legend

[Jon Saints]

Starting to use python mapscript using the mapserver
package from the Debian GIS package repository.

All is well, except when trying to render a legen for
my map.  The legend always appears about 150 pixels
wide with my label text cut off and covering the key
image.

My code is:
myMap = mapObj(PATH_TO_MAP_FILE)
myMap.legend.height = 1000
myMap.legend.width = 1000
img = myMap.drawLegend()
img.save( img.imagepath + "legend.png" )

Any ideas?
Thanks
Jon