Embedded Files
The Vanderbilt Years- Mr. & Mrs. Cornelius Vanderbilt Jr. (1932-1940)
Southwestern Wedding- Mr. & Mrs. Cornelius Vanderbilt, Jr. at the Bernalillo County Courthouse (Albuquerque) where Neil and Helen were married after a three-year romance (January 04, 1935). Stunning studio portrait of Helen, and lastly, the Vanderbilt's at the Alvarado Hotel, also known as a Atchison, Topeka, & Santa Fe Railroad Harvey House (now demolished) Albuquerque, N.M. This is the only time I have seen Helen in this seal-skin coat
Honeymoon @ Grand Canyon, Sierras, & Florida
Helen and Neil seen on their Honeymoon, ready for a day of riding, the lodge is somewhere in the Sierras or Grand Canyon, both these images unidentified
Helen had Many Beloved Pets to Include Lassie
Mrs. Cornelius Vanderbilt with her dog Lassie playing in the snow at her childhood home, Clarksburg West Virginia. Another breathtaking studio portrait, also newspaper copy, and lastly, Lassie at Lake Arrowhead, where the Vanderbilt's had a lakeside mansion
Pond's Cold Cream & Celebrity Models- Helen's image ran Nationwide- Newspapers & Magazines
As Vanderbilt wives and celebrities before her, Pond's Cold Cream was quick to publish Helen's portrait. Aside, Helen loved equines, and again, a glamorous portrait, one notation says 1927, but feel it may have been 1933-1935, ran in newspapers nationwide when the Vanderbilt's hinted at separation, and later divorce
From Cross Country Motoring Marathons to Hollywood
Image shows Vanderbilt's and Helen’s family around Hollywood which included a V.I.P. tour of Warner Bros. Studios. The writing on the back is hard to discern, but translates from 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", likely studio P.R. Department employee. The date is thought to be June or July of '35. The circumstance of the image has lost its association through the years, but finally it's has been identified as having been captured on set of a film called (Dr. Socrates) which was in production with Paul Muni, Ann Dvorak, Mary Aster (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 were 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. Vanderbilt pedaled it more 'cloak and dagger' than the press thought it really was, and the film's reception was cool. The 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's 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’m pleased we have finally solved this mystery. Adjoining image shows Cornelius Vanderbilt, Jr., on running board of his custom-made 1930 Packard 740 Roadster, frightening story of this daunting speedster related in my book, Jack & Helen Frye Story - the Camelot Years of TWA
Beauty & Fashion- Beachside Wraps- Helen Vanderbilt Designs
Images of Helen posing in a poolside wrap designed to be removed when swimming. Very sheik and so rare to ever see Helen photographed in the same outfit twice as she owned so many outfits. These images were captured near the Vanderbilt lakeside mansion at Lake Arrowhead. One of Helen's most beloved companions was her rescue dog Sonja, story can be found in the book, "Jack & Helen Frye Story - the Camelot Years of TWA'. Lastly, newlywed Mrs. Cornelius Vanderbilt, as seen in St. Augustine, Florida, on vacation with her husband, Cornelius Vanderbilt Jr.
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