ABOUT US
Immortality Incorporated was formed in 1974 by author Philip F. Tennyson as an oral biography institution undertaking the important assignment of recording, documenting and preserving the life stories of noteworthy American heroes.
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Over the years we branched out into several media directions including book publishing, public programs, video production and more.
In 1981 we contracted with 109-year-old Walter Casey Jones to sponsor a 97 performance coast-to-coast motivational lecture tour. National media exploded. After we arranged his appearance on Johnny Carson, Jones became a "Centenarian Rockstar" of sorts. Tragically, six weeks after turning 110 (gaining super-centenarian status), the vibrant codger was asphyxiated.
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The old-timer had been proud of his lifespan, and sincerely believed an autobiography would stir the blood of those who discovered it. Publication would also make his pathology available for universal study. Longevity-oriented readers could discern clues about his centenarian resilience.
During their 18-month relationship, Tennyson tape-recorded a century’s worth of extensive Jones recollections. Startling clues about Walter Casey Jones emerged: where he’s been, what conflicts he’s faced, what relationships he’s had, his mistakes, his triumphs, his lessons learned, and most importantly, how he managed to remain independent through 109 years.
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His century of life was lived out unlike any others in American history. He was a genuine original who artfully molded colliding memories into remarkable descriptions. Cherished recalls flowed, punctuated with expanding details. Hundreds of his past involvements and philosophical conclusions had been crisply preserved in the storage room for nearly forty years. ​
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From 2019 through 2024, we diligently transcribed every tape, then, carefully choreographed the ebb and flow of Jones’ conversations, distilling the essential ingredients of the centenarian’s complicated life into 160,000 words: 28 chapters of chronologically organized, first-person biographical prose.
In 1978 Immortality Incorporated published our first commercial book, Getting Screwed, A Satire of Car Dealer Manipulation, authored by Philip F. Tennyson. Based on experiences he had as a “high-pressure” car salesman, it humorously depicted manipulative tactics deployed by ruthless auto salesmen. It became a “mail-order best seller.”
In 1986 we launched our media division, Immortality Video. Throughout the next three decades, we flourished producing hundreds of lucrative projects.
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We established ourselves as pioneers in video production & editing services including script-writing and taping valedictions, life reviews, music videos, TV commercials, promotional videos, weddings, dramatic productions, sporting events and much more. We also specialized in archival film restoration.
In 2002, Immortality Incorporated partnered with Tennyson's wife, renowned private investigator Linda O’Neal, to crack a local missing girl’s occurrence that attracted nationwide press coverage. Her independent sleuthing actually solved the puzzling case, then, became the basis for a non-fiction book, co-written by Philip and Linda. Published in hard cover in 2006 as Missing: The Oregon City Girls, and reissued as a St. Martins Press True Crime paperback a year later under the title, The Missing Girls. It remains a popular True Crime offering to this day.
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NBC producer Shane Bishop adapted the contents into a Dateline episode, with the private investigator character, Linda O’Neal, as the on-screen focal point for revealing the unfolding events in the mystery. The Dateline documentary titled, Into Thin Air, premiered on NBC on January 27, 2006. Audience reaction was stunning!
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In late 2007 Immortality Incorporated contracted with Adams Media to write The Everything Guide to Private Investigations. Two years later, they produced another investigation guidebook, Private Investigation Essentials.
The eighteen months spent with the centenarian exploded with spectacular adventures. Tennyson and Jones performed together coast-to-coast, pursuing public awareness of centenarian significance. Despite the tremendous handicap of living “on the road,” out of vehicles, they finally succeeded in penetrating the American consciousness.
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Their struggles, the crises, the challenges to overcome, the old man’s tragic demise, all provided ample substance for a unique podcast. Overflowing with abundant archival photos, videotape, and other “breath-taking” materials that vividly document this wondrous forty-year-old tale, it’s currently in pre-production at Immortality Incorporated. We intend to release a pristine version at the same time the biography is launched.
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A (shortened) “documentary” version suitable for promotional venues will easily be adapted from podcast footage.