Review by: Nina Gilfert
On Books
The Daily Commercial
September 5, 2003
Florida Author Creates Amusing, Informative Story in “Waking Walt”
“Waking Walt” is a novel based on the rather improbable premise that Walt Disney did not die4 of cancer, but was frozen to await the discovery of a cure. It is amusing and informative. The writer, Larry Pontius, is a former Disney marketing executive, now retired and living in Longwood. “WakingWalt” is his first published novel. He is still working on his first fantasy/thriller.
Pontius credits his friend, Marty Cummins, with the idea for “Waking Walt.” Cummins, a rabid Disney fan, speaking of the urban legend that Disney wasn’t cremated but was in cryonic suspension somewhere, suggested “Why don’t you bring him back?”
The novel begins with an abortive attempt to steal a newly developed cancer drug being used in a protocol at a St. Joseph’s Medical Center in Burbank, Calif. The attempt involved four elderly gentlemen, Fred Pappert, Alex Kane, Thomas Scoville, and Dr. Arthur Nolan. Nolan died in the attempt of a heart attack. We learn that the four were plotting to bring Disney back to save the company which 40 years later is involved in a hostile takeover.
This unlikely group romps through over 400 pages from one adventure to another. They add to their conspirators the young lady scientist, Dr. Rebecca Ling, who had developed the successful new cancer treatment they had tried to steal and a lawyer named Harry Poole who is related to Dr. Nolan
The group who are trying the hostile takeover finds out about the conspiracy and tried to stop them. Their first problem is to find Walt, wake him, and begin administering the cancer drug. Keeping him hidden and alive is their next problem as they face mayhem at every turn. Secretly transporting him from California to Florida involves some questionable characters and adds danger to their already precarious position.
When they finally get to Florida they find a place to hide out in an old Disney-owned cottage in Melbourne. Pontius knew the cottage well because it was where he and his wife spent their honeymoon.
The novel is full of suspense and humor. It touches on the history of the Disney Studios, Disney Land and Disney World and the character of Walt Disney himself.
Yes, this is one of those books that is hard to put down. If you like stories of unlikely adventure this one is for you. It is also remarkable in that it is a modern novel without much violence or illicit sex. It moves rapidly from one situation to another and keeps you guessing.
This is an amusing story yet one of high adventure. For practical purposes, this is a novel you safely leave around the house, a book you don’t have to wrap in a brown bag to carry with you r hide from the kids. It would make a great movie but probably never will because of its references to a high profile enterprise like Disney World.
Larry Pontius is the author of two books f poetry and a lyricist of over 100 published songs. He is a graduate of Michigan State University with a degree in advertising. He was a copywriter and wrote, among others, Schlitz Beer ads.
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