and the Movie Star
President's son, Elliott, and his new wife, film star, Faye Emerson, at the Grand Canyon with wedding party. (From left to right- Mrs. Jack (Helen) Frye, Jack Frye, Janet Thomas, Col. Elliott Roosevelt, Faye Emerson, Johnny Meyer, and Mrs. Joseph B Livengood. Press Photo 1944
Colonel Elliott Roosevelt was recently divorced when he met Faye Emerson. She was a lovely Hollywood movie star and her subsequent engagement to the current President of the United States' son Elliott, caused quite a stir in the movie industry. Let alone the fact that Elliott was drop-dead gorgeous! Prior to their marriage, she was working on a film for Warner Bros. called "Danger Signal." Every time Elliott would fly over the soundstage, the crew would all stop filming to run outside to wave. That circus atmosphere was creating headaches for Warner Bros., delays for the filming, and a heyday for Hedda Hopper, Luella Parsons, and the Press! The Colonel in knowing Jack and Helen Frye, along with Faye cooked up the subsequent escape to the Grand Canyon and Smoke Trail Ranch, now Red Rock State Park, for the wedding and honeymoon. Howard Hughes offered to personally bankroll the entire extravaganza so TWA would not incur any expenses. Of course, all of this entailed Faye "running away" from her commitment in Hollywood, costing the studio thousands of dollars in delays. It is assured though Warner Bros ran with all the publicity in regard to one of their "family members" marrying into the U.S. version of a royal family- all parties benefited in the end. Only the film suffered as it took forever to finish, this not only due to the wedding but also President Franklin Delano Roosevelt passing away in office the next year. At that time, Faye had to leave immediately from Hollywood rushing to the White House to join a mourning nation and grieving first family, of which she was now a member.
Faye Emerson was whisked off the movie set to Burbank where she joined her fiance' the President's son. At the airfield they were ushered aboard Jack and Helen's executive mini-airliner, a polished to a mirror finish Lockheed Electra NC-18137 with bright red TWA markings. One of the most advanced and powerful planes of the era, this particular airliner had a dual purpose of executive plane and representing TWA's "overweather flight research program" emblazoned with "Flight Research Laboratory." The pilot was none other than William John "Jack" Frye, one of the most accomplished and famous pilots in the country and president and founder of the third largest airline in the world- TWA. Certainly, Jack was qualified to provide transportation for a sitting U.S. President's son. Other crew members were Jack's personal co-pilot (unknown but Glen Knudsen was one of them at the time.) Other passengers were a detail of United States Secret Service agents assigned to protect the Presidential First Family. The destination was the Valle Airport about 30 miles south of the Grand Canyon. This airport was familiar to Jack and Helen as they had ranch holdings near Spring Valley (below Valle) and another 20,000 acre ranch near Flagstaff (Sunshine Ranch) now the Red Gap Ranch. Departure from Burbank was executed on schedule- later the gleaming Lockheed Electra executive plane circled amid snow flurries and landed safely at Valle Airport with its precious cargo. From there the passengers were driven to the Grand Canyon rim. Three planes departed from Burbank Airport with the wedding party.
The Electra which Jack Frye piloted actually made it to its intended destination. Mrs. Frye was on a second plane which subsequently had to make an emergency landing at the primitive location of Ashfork, Arizona due to bad weather. It is doubtful there was much of a strip there (was an emergency landing strip) and it no doubt proved to be a rather rough landing. It can be assured that if Jack was at the helm this plane, it would have arrived safely at its destination as well! The third plane was forced down at the Kingman Airport due to snow flurries. Helen and the other passengers walked 4 miles in the snow before being rescued by an United States Secret Service Agent who delivered them all to the Valle Airport. From there, Jack and Helen immediately took off again for the Smoke Trail Ranch in Sedona, landing at their private Verde Valley airstrip. After retrieving some accessories for the wedding and instructing their ranch hand and housekeeper to make ready for the "Presidential" party and the Secret Service detail, they made their way back to the airstrip. From there, Jack and Helen flew the Lockheed back to the Valle Airport arriving at the Grand Canyon late in the evening. They registered at the El Tovar. Jack paid the entire Grand Canyon bill for the affair at a total of $850.00.
After the wedding Helen and Jack again boarded TWA NC18137 and flew back to their airstrip near the Sedona ranch. Quickly, they prepared the ranch for the wedding party. Meanwhile, after a short honeymoon at the Grand Canyon, Elliott and Faye were chauffeured to Flagstaff where Jack and Helen drove up and met them for dinner. From there the motorcade made its way down Oak Creek Canyon on 89A to Mayhew Lodge where the group spent the night. Some of the expenses were paid by Jack Frye, others by Howard Hughes (later) via Tool Co. The next day the motorcade continued its journey to Jack and Helen Frye's Smoke Trail Ranch (now Red Rock State Park) near Red Rock Crossing at Sedona. Colonel Elliott and his bride spent the rest of their honeymoon at the Frye "Willow House." Jack and Helen stayed at the old Armijo Ranch House on the adjoining Frye Deer Lick Ranch, (now Cross Creek Ranch.) As for the secret service agents they were strategically stationed all over the ranch as the nation was at war and threats to the first family were dealt with on a daily basis. Finally it was time to leave the Sedona honeymoon ranch. The President's son and his movie star wife were escorted to Jack Frye's private airstrip at Cornville Road and 89A near the ranch. There they boarded Jack and Helen's TWA airliner and departed- either east to meet Faye's family or as some accounts say- back to L.A.
Was it a Electra or Lodestar?
"The plane," he says, "was not pulled out of service."
In part- The President’s son and Miss Emerson, and five members of their wedding party took off from Hughes Aircraft Field at Culver City at 1:55 p.m. yesterday (Dec. 2.) They boarded the two motored Lockheed Lodestar of Jack Frye, T.W.A. president, who will be best man. They arrived late yesterday at Valley (Valle?) Airport, near Williams, Ariz., about 20 miles from the luxurious tourist inn where they will be married. After motoring through Grand Canyon National Park, they drove to the hotel.
Beverly Hills, California, November 30, 1944
Col. Elliott Roosevelt, 34-year-old son of the President, within a week will take his third wife, Faye Emerson, 27-year-old actress. This announcement came today from a spokesman for the Colonel and later from the blond Miss Emerson herself, but neither added any details concerning the wedding plans. Roosevelt has been visiting here for several days. In Beaumont, Tex., Mrs. Jean Young, Faye's mother, said the marriage would take place this next weekend, but that the exact time and place are being kept secret. Mrs. Young added that the President's son and the actress met in Hollywood. After the wedding, Colonel Roosevelt, one-time Texas radio executive, and his bride will visit Beaumont, Miss. Young said.
Miss Emerson, in pictures since 1941, was married once previously, to William Wallace Crawford, Jr., by whom she had a five year old son. They were divorced in 1942. Roosevelt and his wife, Elizabeth Donner Roosevelt, were divorced in 1933 at Minden, Nev. Five days later he married Ruth Goggins. She obtained a divorce last April 18 at Fort Worth Tex., after testifying that he no longer cared for her and that he urged her to bring the suit. She has custody of their three children. Commissioned a captain in the Army Air Forces in 1943, Roosevelt was promoted to full Colonel last April, and is now on leave after commanding the Allied Photographic Service in Africa and Sicily.
Hollywood, California, December 2, 1944
Col. Elliott Roosevelt and blonde actress Faye Emerson left here late today by air for Williams, Ariz., from where they were to proceed to the El Tovar Lodge, Grand Canyon, to be married Sunday.
The couple still was trying to keep secret the site of their marriage, but its location was learned from other sources. Colonel Roosevelt and his bride to be were riding in the private plane of Jack Frye, president of Transcontinental and Western Air, who was to be the best man. Three Planes In Party-
Two other planes were in the party, which also included Mrs. Joseph B. Livengood, North Hollywood, granddaughter of the late opera star, Mme. Ernestine Schumann-Heink, who was to be matron of honor.
The President's second son put an engagement ring on Miss Emerson's finger Friday after trailing her around the Warner Brothers' lot where she was working on set. It was a small platinum ring with three diamonds. Decline Comment- Miss Emerson was to wear a dusty blue doeskin suit with mink accessories. She will carry white orchids. Both the Colonel and his bride-to-be declined comment, but it was reported they would spend part of their honeymoon in Beaumont, Tex., visiting Miss Emerson's mother, Miss Jean Young, and part of it at the White House, where the young actress would meet the President and Mrs. Roosevelt for the first time.
Sedona, Arizona, December 2, 1944
Mr. and Mrs. Jack Frye left their ranch near here today for the Grand Canyon, where it was reported they would attend the wedding tomorrow of Miss Faye Emerson, actress, and Col. Elliott Roosevelt, the son of the President. Bill Steele, a Coconino County Deputy Sheriff, said Frye, president of Transcontinental and Western Air, left his ranch in a pickup truck with a full assortment of western regalia."There's going to be a western ceremony of some kind I guess," said Steele. Frye is to be Roosevelt's best man. Steele said Frye left instructions here that all messages for him should be forwarded to the El Tovar, a hotel on the rim of the Grand Canyon.
Colonel and Actress Fly To Grand Canyon
For Ceremony Today
Grand Canyon Village, Arizona December 2, 1944
Col. Roosevelt's wedding party arrived at the El Tovar Hotel at 11 o'clock tonight after a trip by private plane from Hollywood, Calif. With the President's son was Faye Emerson, actress, whom he will marry at 9:00 A.M. tomorrow, and Mr. and Mrs. Jack Frye. Mr. Frye, president of Transcontinental and Western Air Lines, Inc. is to be the best man. For the wedding, Miss Emerson said she would wear a blue doeskin suit, with mink bandeau and muff, and dark brown shoes. The bridal bouquet will be of white orchids.
The wedding is to be a double-ring ceremony.
Grand Canyon, December 3, 1944
Col. Elliott Roosevelt and Faye Emerson, movie actress, were married in a glass-enclosed observation station on the south rim of the Grand Canyon today in what the bride called "probably the most beautiful wedding there ever was." The President's 34-year-old second son and the 27-year-old coppery blonde graduate of little theaters recited their vows at 9 a.m. before a large window overlooking the magnificent chasm. Blankets of snow and swirling mist partly concealed its famed hues. The temperature outside was 29 degrees. "Our marriage means so much to us both that we wanted to begin it as beautifully as possible," the bride told reporters afterward. Williams Pastor Officiates- The Rev. Roger Sawyer, pastor of the Williams Methodist Church, performed the eight-minute ceremony as a few friends stood by. Miss Emerson was attended by Mrs. Joseph B. Livengood of Los Angeles, a granddaughter of the late opera star, Mme. Ernestine Schumann-Heink. Maid of honor was 10-year-old Ruth Chandler Roosevelt, daughter of Colonel Roosevelt by the second of his two previous marriage. Best man was Jack Frye, president of Transcontinental and Western Air, Inc. Miss Emerson was given in marriage by John Meyer, a mutual friend who introduced the bridal couple at a dinner party in his Los Angeles home in September, 1943.
The vivacious pretty bride, born in Elizabeth, La., said in her film studio biography that Ralph Waldo Emerson, the poet, was her great uncle. Studio associates call her "a good guy," easy to work with. She's five feet, four inches tall and weighs 120 pounds. She entered movies in 1941 after a talent scout saw her in a community theater at San Diego, Calif., where she had attended college. She has had roles in "Desert Song," "Destination Tokyo," "Hollywood Canteen," and other pictures.
Beaumont, Tex., December 3, 1944
Col. Elliott Roosevelt and his bride, Faye Emerson of Hollywood, will return to Hollywood soon and after a few days there will go east, stopping at Beaumont on the way, Mrs. Jean Young, mother of the bride, said today. Mrs. Roosevelt telephoned her mother here shortly after the ceremony this morning. "She said everything was wonderful," Mrs. Young said.
Flagstaff Arizona, December 6, 1944
Col. Elliott Roosevelt and his bride of three days, the former Faye Emerson, film actress, arrived here tonight after a trip from Grand Canyon where they were married and spent a brief honeymoon.
The newlyweds were met by Jack Frye, president of Transcontinental and Western Air, Inc., who said the party would motor later tonight to his ranch near Sedona, Ariz. They will remain a day or two before returning to Hollywood. Frye said their future plans were indefinite.
Flagstaff, Arizona, December 8, 1944
Col. Elliott Roosevelt, second son of the President, and his bride, the former Faye Emerson, blonde movie actress visited briefly in Flagstaff Wednesday afternoon and had dinner at Hotel Monte Vista that night before leaving for Jack Frye's ranch near Sedona in lower Oak Creek Canyon. They stopped here en route to the Frye Ranch from Grand Canyon where they were married Sunday morning at 9 o'clock.
Guests at the dinner Wednesday night at the hotel included Mr. and Mrs. Frye, Mr. and Mrs. H.V. Watson of Flagstaff and the Roosevelts. After leaving Flagstaff the couple and Mr. and Mrs. Frye were overnight guests at Mayhew's beautiful lodge in Oak Creek Canyon. Mr. Frye said the couple would spend two days at his ranch and leave this week end for Los Angeles. Last Saturday night about 7 o'clock Colonel Roosevelt and his bride-to-be, the charming and gracious Faye Emerson, arrived at the El Tovar Hotel, having driven from the Valle Airport 30 miles south of the park. They flew there in Jack Frye's personal plane. Mr. Frye is president of Transcontinental and Western Air, Inc. On Sunday morning at 9 o'clock they were united in marriage at Yavapai Point with Rev. Roger Sawyer, pastor of the Grand Canyon and Williams Community church officiating at the double ring Methodist service. The couple stood facing the huge glass window overlooking the canyon in the Observation Station during the simple eight minute ceremony. Just a few minutes before the ceremony the fog, which had completely veiled the canyon, lifted so that the famed chasm formed an outstanding picturesque background for the wedding service.
The bride is daughter of Mrs. Jean Young of Beaumont, Texas. The couple secured their marriage license from S.G. Stephens, Grand Canyon Justice of Peace. Colonel Roosevelt gave his age as 34, and his home address, Benbrook, Texas. His bride gave her age as 27 and her home address, North Hollywood, California. The actress said that Ralph Waldo Emerson, the poet, was her great uncle. The first actress to join the White House family, Mrs. Roosevelt may complete her honeymoon with a trip to Washington to meet her famous in-laws for the first time. Mrs. Franklin D. Roosevelt, in a press conference Monday, is reported to have said she had never seen her new daughter-in-law because she -- Mrs. Roosevelt--had been in Washington. Later her statement was amended to say that she had never seen Miss Emerson, either personally or in a motion picture. After Col. Roosevelt returns to duty with an Air Force photographic group, his bride intends to return to Warner Bros. studios to resume her screen commitments. She has previously appeared in "Hollywood Canteen," "Desert Song" and "Destination Tokyo." It was the third marriage for Col. Roosevelt and the second for Miss Emerson
Col. Elliott Roosevelt, 34 years old, and his bride, Fay Emerson, 27, blonde movie actress, are shown here in a happy mood after their double-ring, Methodist wedding ceremony at the Grand Canyon. It was the third marriage for the President's son and the second for Miss Emerson.
The couple stopped over briefly at El Tovar Lodge in Flagstaff, Ariz., before starting for the cattle ranch of Jack Frye, Transcontinental and Western Airlines president, near Sedona, Ariz., to continue their honeymoon. They just returned from a three day mule-back trip to the bottom of the Grand Canyon.
Colonel's Lady-- In Washington with her husband's family, Mrs. Elliott Roosevelt, newest daughter-in-law of the President of the United States, and Mrs. Roosevelt, is shown lunching with Mrs. Jack Frye, wife of TWA executive. Colonel Roosevelt and his bride, film actress Faye Emerson, were married in Arizona on December 3.
That lush, lush blonde, (you guessed it, Fay Emerson Roosevelt) had the Mayflower Lounge ga-ga yesterday while she lunched with Mrs. Jack Frye and Baroness Stackelberg. F. D.'s new daughter-in-law is even prettier than her pictures, boasting of an apple blossom complexion and heavy golden hair, caught in a fat chignon in the back. With her pale blue wool frock, she wore a taupe felt hat -- and, of course, a mink coat! The lounge usually takes celebrities very much in its stride, but Col. Elliott Roosevelt's bride had them all craning their necks for a better peek. A succession of people stopped by to meet her-- including Senator "Happy" Chandler, who gave her a hearty handshake! For more information on Helen's friend, Baroness Stackelberg, please see this page.
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