Morrie Turner (Finding Aid)

Morrie Turner

1923 -

Favorite Color: Turquoise Blue

Favorite Food: Meatloaf

Favorite Time of Year: Summer

Interview Length: 162 minutes

Interview Date(s): April 6, 2004

Interview Location(s): Oakland, California

Abstract

Morrie Turner describes his childhood in West Oakland, California and gives a brief family history. HIs father was a Pullman porter and his mother a nurse.Turner also discusses his relationship with his siblings, all of whom are deceased. He notes how he and his borthers worked to keep their relationship close after the death of thier mother. Morrie Turner details his childhood in Oakland, California and the bonds forged between friends and neighbors. He describes the sights sounds and smells of his neighborhood as well as his elementary and high school life. Morrie Turner regales the viewer with a cornucopia of great anecdotes of his high school years and first years in the Army after the bombing of Pearl Harbor. Turner describes how after falling asleep at his post nearly led him to being court-martialed. And from that experience, he drew his first cartoon about an army misfit. Morrie Turner describes the various familial and external influences upon the creation of his first comic strips, 'Railhead', then 'Dinky Fellows' which eventually morphed into 'Wee Pals'. Morrie Turner's sense of humor is infectious, he retells some hilarious incidents of racial discord generated by his 'Wee Pals' comic strip and his witty responses to the controversies. Morrie Turner shares several stories of pivotal moments in his life, from winning awards from the National Cartoonists Society, appearing on Mister Rogers Neighborhood or just hanging out with Charles Schultz. He also shares some advice fortoday's youth and the segment closes with more than 10 photos from his childhood and adulthood.

56 Stories (See Ordered Story Set)