Mr. & Mrs. Cornelius Vanderbilt Jr., Neil and Helen Varner, Grace Vanderbilt, NYC, Lake Arrowhead, Grand Canyon, Albuquerque, Aviation Legend Jack Frye, Trans World Airlines, TWA

Jack & Helen Frye Story – the Camelot Years of TWA

The Frye Legacy

A Lifetime of Accomplishment

The Vanderbilts

By Randall Reynolds

Brand New Website Which Visually Documents the Lives of Jack & Helen Frye

My purpose in creation of this website is to not repeat narrative found in my novel ‘the Jack and Helen Frye Story’ but rather provide readers with images and text to complement the book

To purchase my Biography-Novel-Love Story please click: Jack & Helen Frye Story – the Camelot Years of TWA which is available on Amazon in Softcover or Kindle

Helen Varner studio portrait with beloved dog Lassie just prior to her marriage to Cornelius Vanderbilt IV (early 1930’s)

Reporters capture the stunningly beautiful Helen Varner and Neil Vanderbilt on world-wide tour prior to their marriage (1934)

Helen and Neil pose in this ceremonial image, I struggled with identification of Helen as I have never seen a photo of her with blonde hair, finally though I feel it’s definitely her. The location is Egypt, this validated (in part) with Neil stating in postcard (below) they were headed to North Africa (1934)

Transcribed “Dear Mrs. Varner- This is the fifth day of rain. We came to Switzerland to get away from the heat of Paris which Helen couldn’t stand any more & this was the result! Helen is now sick of rain & wants to get back to France again! We have zigzagged all over Europe to please her! Next we shall try Austria! Helen thinks Holland might be better or North Africa! They are only 1,000 miles apart! We are having fun though – Much Love Neil”

Helen Varner captured on European tour with Vanderbilt (1934-1935)

Reporters capture Mr. and Mrs. Cornelius Vanderbilt IV just after their marriage ceremony at Bernalillo County Courthouse, downtown Albuquerque New Mexico (1935)

Mr. and Mrs. Vanderbilt shown at Alvarado Hotel (Atchison Topeka & Santa Fe Railroad) Fred Harvey House, Albuquerque New Mexico (1935)

Helen and Neil Vanderbilt on honeymoon at the Grand Canyon. Everywhere this couple went reporters followed, the Vanderbilt name was front page coverage in newspapers all over America (1935)

Mr. & Mrs. Cornelius Vanderbilt, Jr. (Helen and Neil) Sierra mountains. I have tried at no end to place the location of this image, all though it appears to be the Grand Canyon Lodge (where the Vanderbilt’s honeymooned) current images do not reveal this backdrop. Unfortunately, as related in my book, this marriage didn’t last due to Neil’s womanizing, Helen often stated Neil and her made better friends than husband and wife (1935)

The Vanderbilts at Roney Plaza Hotel, Coral Gables, Florida (1935)

Mrs. Cornelius Vanderbilt Jr. (Helen Varner) captured by a reporter at Roney Plaza Hotel, Coral Gables Florida in a beach outfit she designer herself. Helen always felt she never had any privacy with Vanderbilt, however their marriage guaranteed much public interest (1935)

Helen and Neil cornered by reporters at the Grand Hotel in Santa Monica where they were staying. I think by the look on Helen’s face we can say the honeymoon’s over. The hotel was ‘the’ place to stay for celebrities and the rich and famous to stay (mid-1935)

Newspaper image shows Helen and Neil at the now demolished Grand Hotel Santa Monica California looking very unhappy, likely after a disagreement over Neil’s womanizing, something Helen did not appreciate. Helen would soon seek a divorce from Neil but he would not concede. Later in the 1940, amid nationwide media coverage, President of TWA Jack Frye forced the divorce with his power and influence. This action was so he and Helen could marry. It’s not known why Neil would not let Helen go other than to punish her and keep her from remarrying. Vanderbilt was a vindictive man with his all his wives. (From the Sedona Legend Helen Frye website) ‘Reporters caught up with Helen and Neil at the famous Grand Hotel at Santa Monica Beach where they stayed for a couple weeks entertaining and sunbathing. The location was a nice change from the cool mountaintop locale of their home at Lake Arrowhead CA. Helen is sitting on the edge of the fountain at the beach access to the rear of the hotel. Neil obviously is up from sunbathing or swimming. Although a lovely photo of the fashionable Mrs. Vanderbilt, she is squinting in the sun. However, Helen is sharply attired in what I would call ‘California Casual’, a khaki-like skirt with jacket-top, open heels, and dark stockings. The travel-safari-legion-look was a popular 1930’s trend. Helen’s hands, with deep-red painted nails, rest on a matching handbag. Adorning her wrist is a bejeweled Egyptian-like bracelet, a plaid silk scarf is draped around her neck (a signature accessory for Helen). Date was July 17, 1935. Opened in 1926, this art-deco hotel was originally known as the Breakers Beach Club. By 1934, the building was sold and reopened as the famous Grand Hotel at Santa Monica. The grand opening was quite the extravaganza and attended by the ‘Who’s Who’ of Hollywood, most of whom soon became regular guests. Later, the property was known as the Chase Hotel. By the end of its life the building was known as the infamous Sea Castle Apartments. It was finally destroyed by fire in 1996, but not after being condemned after the destructive Northridge quake in 1994. Eventually the property was completely revamped as the ‘new’ Windsor Sea Castle luxury waterfront apartments. The fountain from the 1930’s is long gone, but the address is still 1725 Promenade on the Santa Monica beachfront, just south of the pier.’

Helen Vanderbilt captured on a beach or Lake Arrowhead

The image above shows the Vanderbilts, as Neil was showing Helen and her family around Hollywood, which included a V.I.P. tour of Warner Bros. Studios. The writing on the back of the photo is hard to discern, but translates left to right, Neil Vanderbilt, Helen Varner Vanderbilt, “Lefty” Bernard Mettenberger, Mildred Varner Mettenberger (Helen’s sister), Paul Muni (famous 1930’s actor), Marie Varner Berry (Helen’s sister), Ann Dvorak (movie actress), Maude Varner (Helen’s mother). The last name appears to be “Guide” and obvious it is she likely worked for the studio in the P.R. Department. Date is thought to be June or July of 1935. The circumstances of the image have lost its association over the years, but finally, it has been identified as having been taken on the set of a film called (Dr. Socrates) which was in production with Paul Muni and Ann Dvorak (1935). Gracious thanks to Christina Rice of the “Ann Dvorak- Hollywood’s Forgotten Rebel” website for her help in the final analysis of the photograph. Christina observed that Paul and Ann are in costume for the film and the kitten Ann is holding was (a prop) from a scene in the film. Originally, my impression was to say the photo was related to Vanderbilt’s “Hitler’s Reign of Terror” (1935). But that effort by Neil was a film he captured himself and later smuggled out of Nazi Germany. Actually, he pedaled it as more ‘cloak and dagger’ than the press thought it really was and the film’s reception was cool. Second impression was that it might relate to the filming of “A Woman in Washington”. This film was produced in Washington D.C. (early 1935) and based on a book by Cornelius Vanderbilt. It is possible some filming was done in Los Angeles. The name of this movie was changed, and possibly later, it never even saw release at theatres. I am pleased we have finally solved this mystery

Glamorous and beautiful, Mrs. Vanderbilt captured by a Los Angeles newspaper reporter at the Pasadena mansion where she was residing after separation from her husband Neil Vanderbilt (just prior to her marriage to TWA President Jack Frye). As stated, Mrs. Vanderbilt had little to no privacy from the media when married to Vanderbilt and Frye. (1939-1940)

Brand New Website Which Visually Documents the Lives of Jack & Helen Frye

This is the ‘NEW’ Sedona Legend Helen Frye – the Camelot Years of TWA website, the original rendition launched in 2003 is no longer supported by host Yahoo GeoCities and has been discontinued. The original website will be rebuilt within these pages. The new revised overview title is now Sedona Frye TWA Story’ with world URL www.sedonatwa.com. This effort is managed and owned by Sedona Legend Publishing. Herein you will find a historic perspective of Sedona that was nearly lost to time itself, the real HISTORY of Red Rock State Park a rich and valuable legacy which must not ever be forgotten or swept under the carpet, a showcase of treasured information and documentation. Sedona’s history with Transcontinental & Western Air (TWA) one of the world’s largest and most beloved airlines known as the ‘Airline to the Stars’ and how this association helped put Sedona Arizona on the map! Red Rock State Park known as a ‘Crown Jewel’ of the Arizona State Park system and one-time private playground of the rich and famous. Originally owned and discovered in 1941 by one of the most glamorous couples in America and one of the greatest aviation legends this country has ever known! An association so powerful the original identity of the property will always be known as the Frye ‘Smoke Trail Ranch’ and the ‘TWA Ranch’ at Sedona’. Dare to delve beneath the surface and discover the hidden and forgotten history of one of the most pristine, beautiful, and priceless real estate parcels of the Southwestern United States and the legendary couple who owned it!

This website serves to offer readers of the book ‘Jack & Helen Frye Story – the Camelot Years of TWA’ with images that complement the biography. Photos were not included in the publication because of copywrite restrictions. An effort will be made to not include a lot of repetitive narrative on these pages as this can be found in the book. This website will be updated and refined as time allows, and as well, the layout will be improved in an easy to navigate format. This Entry Page features the Fryes at the onset of their relationship (as covered in the book). Please click the following link to purchase the Biography-Novel-Love-Story Jack & Helen Frye Story – the Camelot Years of TWA available on Amazon in Soft Cover or Kindle. The presentation herein is best viewed on a Personal Computer.

The Sedona Legend Web Site is a copyrighted historical photo enhanced narrative presented for educational and entertainment purposes, some materials may be displayed in regard to the United States Fair Use Act. Sedona Legend was envisioned and created to provide Red Rock State Park visitors with a comprehensive historic overview of the Jack and Helen Frye Deer-Lick and Smoke Trail Ranches. This web portal is totally non-profit and generates no income, nor does it seek, or has it ever accepted, a single donation, it is an independent venture.

Sedona Legend is encouraged by the many friends of Jack and Helen Frye and was in fact launched at Red Rock State Park when volunteering for (two) 6-month sojourns, this presentation is not a disconnected effort. A gracious thank you to the Frye and Varner families for invaluable support and Red Rock State Park staff and volunteers for their enthusiasm, also thanks to the TWA Museum at Kansas City for their dedication to Transcontinental & Western Air, Inc. (Trans World Airlines).

Formerly this effort was called Sedona Legend Helen Frye (the Jack & Helen Frye Story)

Order the Biography-Novel on Amazon ‘Jack & Helen Frye Story – the Camelot Years of TWA’

Sedona TWA Online Presentations:

Sedona Legend Entry Page

Standard Airlines – Aero Corporation 1920’s

Transcontinental & Western Air TWA 1930’s

TWA President Jack Frye Northrop Gamma 2D

Western Air Express

Transcontinental & Western Air TWA 1940’s

A-Broad With Eleven Yanks – A Memorial to Boeing Superfortress 42-24698

TWA President Jack Frye Executive Plane Lockheed Electra 12A

TWA President Jack Frye Executive Plane Lockheed Electra 12A Robinson