I am in the process of writing a screen play based on Gasoline Alley, the early years from the finding of Skeezix on Walt’s door step to the outcome of the paternity suit between Skeezik’s biological parents and Walt and Phyllis. The problem I have is how to represent the character Rachel. From what I know Frank King wasn’t a racist but he did follow the convention of early day cartoonist by drawing his black characters in a derogatory stereotypical way. Think Aunt Jemima and Stepin Fetchit. I thought present her like Jim presents Gertie today, or have Walt’s mother, a sweet apple pie baking Mrs. Buterworth type, or maybe not at all. What do you think?Thanks.
I am in the process of writing a screen play based on Gasoline Alley, the early years from the finding of Skeezix on Walt’s door step to the outcome of the paternity suit between Skeezik’s biological parents and Walt and Phyllis. The problem I have is how to represent the character Rachel. From what I know Frank King wasn’t a racist but he did follow the convention of early day cartoonist by drawing his black characters in a derogatory stereotypical way. Think Aunt Jemima and Stepin Fetchit. I thought present her like Jim presents Gertie today, or have Walt’s mother, a sweet apple pie baking Mrs. Buterworth type, or maybe not at all. What do you think?Thanks.