Review by: Janet Miller
Timeless
Tales
Review online
May
8, 2003
Waking Walt is a spellbinding take on one of America's most enduring urban legends. Could it be true; Walt Disney was never cremated and buried at Forest Lawn as the official story goes? Imagine that, for nearly 40 years, the great entertainment genius has been in cryonic suspension, waiting to return when a cure for his lung cancer is found. Now, an experimental drug being tested looks like the answer. The waiting is almost over.
In December 1966, the life of a young oncology resident, Arthur Nolan, is changed when an older gentleman is admitted into the cancer ward. The older gentleman is none other what Walt Disney. A friendship develops between the two men. Arthur tells Walt about his dream to be an artist, and Walt makes him a deal. Make sure that he doesn't get buried, cremated or anything else after his death. Instead make sure that his body goes into cryonic suspension until there is a cure for lung cancer and Walt will give him enough money to walk away from this job and do whatever his heart desires. Arthur agrees to the deal and becomes a member of The Circle.
The Circle is a small group of very trusted men who will make sure that Walt Disney's frozen body is not disturbed and when it's time, and there is finally a cure, he will be brought back to life. The group is composed of a doctor, a lawyer, a banker, and several others. Each member of the Circle uses his own expertise and acting under prior orders from Walt Disney, spirit him away to be cryonically frozen, then go on with their lives, protecting the secret.
Over thirty years have passed, and the Circle has aged. When news of a takeover plan reaches the group, they decide to take action. Arnold Garth and others want to break up Disney Company, thus making lots of millionaires but destroying everything that Walt Disney had dreamed into being. Rumors of a new drug has reached the group that could cure lung cancer. If they can get a hold of the drug, they could bring Walt back and save the Disney Company.
Will the drug work? Can they bring Walt back? What will be the reaction of his family, who thought he was buried all this time?
The urban legend of the idea for this story has been around for years. Bringing it to light is a great story. Larry Pontius actually worked for Disney Company so he was able to give the reader insight into quite a different business than what we think of Disney. The story is filled with twists and turns, suspicions that will keep you going till the end. There is a great collection of characters. I love the way they reacted to Walt's return. I would recommend this to any one who is interested in Disney. An enjoyable read!
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