Boogie Board Man: Eight Sessions with Thomas Hugh Morey - Paperback

by Mike del Ninno (Author)

The journey of two individuals brought together by celestial fate. The author aspiring to write a screenplay, and Tom Morey, unveiling a lifetime of events leading to a collaborative project spanning several months and eight interview sessions, culminating with the story of the Boogie Board Man.

Session One: "The Gatekeeper" details the author's journey developing the biopic idea and passing through the gatekeeper finally befriending Tom Morey.

Session Two: "The Term Board" was the first in-depth session covering Tom's formative years. At the age of thirteen, he emerged as a prodigious drummer, eventually performing with renowned jazz musicians at The Lighthouse jazz club in Los Angeles. During his high school years, he became an accomplished longboarder, competing on teams for Dave Sweet, Velzy Jacobs, Dave Goodart, and Dewey Weber, where his views on early surfboard designs were notably critical.

Session Three: "A Million Dings" transitions from biographical events to Tom's exploration of philosophy, religious views, and celestial beliefs. In this session, Tom demystifies the romanticism associated with surfing and reveals his surprising approach to becoming a highly respected longboarder in Laguna.

Session Four: "Noseriding" covers Tom's early career at Douglas Aircraft, the creation of Morey Skeg Works, Morey-Pope Surfboards, the Morey Invitational Noseriding Contest, and his role as President of the United States Surfing Association.

Session Five: "Morally Sideways" details the evolution of the surfboard industry, dovetailing into an unhappy marriage, smoking weed, relocation to Hawaii, adopting a hippy lifestyle, opening a Mexican restaurant, religious exploration, conversion to the Bahá'í faith, meeting his soulmate Marchia, and the creation of the Morey Boogie Board.

Session Six: "Trademark Regret" outlines Tom's initial success and eventual departure from the business as it expands beyond his comfort zone. It details the challenges he faced with self-doubt and decision-making responsibilities that impacted employees and his business partner.

Session Seven: "Lover's Pact" follows Tom's experiences after selling Morey and Company, Inc. to Kransco Manufacturing, unleashing his inventive addiction, navigating financial challenges, the impact of the computer revolution, his move to Bainbridge, WA, and return to corporate life at Boeing, his parents' pact suicide, the balance between artistry and commercialism, and Tom's bond with astrology.

Session Eight: "The Final Call" closes out our interview sessions with Tom describing his audacious move inserting himself into the sale of Morey Boogie from Kransco to Mattel by orchestrating a surprise appearance at Mattel's shareholder meeting.

The "Epilogue" offers an inside look at writing the biopic, Shaping Tom Morey. The author introduces challenges with fictionalizing life events, character development, story conflict, cinematography, and depicting Polynesian and Hawaiian culture.