Tyrone Power and Helen Frye

From Rumor to Facts-

Sedona Legend Celebrity Series

Helen Frye and Tyrone Power were spotted having dinner in Wickenburg, Arizona, in the fall of 1954. (Helen Frye is on the left, Ty is center). Tyrone was staying with Helen at the time at the Frye Smoke Trail Ranch in Sedona. Photo courtesy Arizona Highways Magazine.

Tyrone samples succulent barbecue from Chef Comer, on his evening out with Helen Vanderbilt Frye. Location was the famous Hollywood celebrity hang-out: Wickenburg's "Frontier Inn". Photo courtesy of Arizona Highways.

Helen Vanderbilt Frye.............This website focuses on her life and romance with Jack Frye, the famous pioneer aviator and corporate genius. However, this particular page focuses on the period when Jack and Helen were divorced in 1950, before they decided to re-marry by 1958. During this period, they were both unsuccessful in their involvements with other partners. Jack in 1950, almost immediately went on to marry Emily Nevada Smith, the glamorous New York actress. Meanwhile, Helen was left alone and isolated on the Sedona ranch. Or was she? It appears Helen did occasionally find some romance and companionship as well. Three men would come into her life from 1952 to 1960 or so, but the depth of these relationships is unknown. It appears that a couple of these men were more akin to close companions. One however, was much more than that, this being the relationship between Helen and Tyrone "Ty" Power. Some say they met when he was filming "Pony Soldier" at Sedona in 1952, however I feel they likely had known each other from before, as Tyrone was connected with TWA throughout the years. He was close friends with Howard Hughes, Bob Buck, and possibly Jack and Helen Frye too. During the filming of "Pony Soldier", Tyrone and Helen definitely spent time together according to local witnesses, but in what capacity? Helen had just weathered the devastating loss of her husband, Jack, (2 years prior), who divorced her to marry the much younger Nevada. Adding to that heartbreak, Helen could not have children. Nevada was able to eventually provide Jack the child he so desperately desired.

Tyrone Power at a charity dinner in Clarkdale, Arizona, about 1952. Behind him in white outfit, is Rosie Armijo's sister, Henrietta Targhetta. To the right is Ty's "Pony Soldier" co-star, Penny Edwards.

Poster for the Movie, "Pony Soldier", courtesy Twentieth Century Fox.

When Tyrone and Helen actually became romantic is unknown. Tyrone was already married to the actress Linda Christian, but it appears not happily so. At different periods from about 1952-1957, Ty would fly out the Sedona Smoke Trail Ranch and stay with Helen Frye. Many of the visits were private, but occasionally the two were spotted in and around Sedona. It was not unusual to see Helen with a celebrity, she was a marvelous hostess, and many celebrity friends would visit her at the ranch. But Ty, it appears, was different, more than a friend he eventually asked Helen to marry him. Soon after this proposal he returned to Hollywood, on TWA it is assumed, and promptly asked Linda for a divorce. After this revelation was reported, no one seems to know for sure what happened next, except that Helen and Ty obviously did not get married. It was reported in Hollywood at the time that on two separate occasions when Ty asked his wife Linda for a divorce, all of the sudden she announced she was pregnant. This appears to be the reason that he stayed with her at least for a time, as he wanted a son. One local Sedona resident remembers the affair less than favorably, in light of the fact that Tyrone was married, and Helen was a Sedona divorcee'. In my opinion, aside from the fact that the affair provided fodder for local gossip, it does take "two to tangle". Sedona as many small towns, has been known to be a bit gossipy. Eventually in 1958 Tyrone married another woman, Debbie Ann Minardos, but tragically died later that year of a heart attack. Jack Frye and Helen eventually found themselves together again, rekindling their romance, and a wedding was considered. However Helen insisted that Jack complete his divorce from Nevada Smith before they proceeded. The cruel hand of fate intervened however, when Jack was tragically killed by a drunk driver in Tucson, Arizona on February 3, 1959. Sadly, a remarriage was not to be, Jack and Helen would not be allowed to go "back". Helen would never again remarry, this last heartache it appears simply broke her heart for forever.

I have resisted relating this incident in Helen's life for several years due to various reasons. Namely, this romance seemed to be more rumor than fact. It happened so long ago and proved difficult to nail down. However, recently in regard to other research relating to Helen's life I again was confronted with the tale, but with a few more details. I finally decided I had enough information to go forward with a story and based the foundation on the verification from 4 sources. These "sources", isolated from each other, have retained their knowledge of the story since the time it occurred. This coupled with photos, convinced me the romance did indeed transpire. However, likely it won't be verified any further. Why, you might ask? Simply because Sedona in the 1950's was a very small town, reporters rarely found their way up here and the community didn't even have a local newspaper at the time. Smoke Trail Ranch was very private and isolated, rarely were locals privy as to "Who" was staying there, or for "What" reasons, even in the TWA years. Ty came out to Sedona it is assumed for some of those very circumstances, and it is assured that Helen and him had all the privacy they desired. This obviously is the sole reason "this" affair, unlike the other public ones Ty had, is still "private" after 50 long years.

So how did Tyrone Power and Helen Frye spend their time at the Sedona Smoke Trail Ranch. This much is most assured..........they talked about mutual friends, walked, and held hands. They rode horses, swam in Oak Creek, laid out in the radiant Arizona sun, and Helen cooked for him. Sometimes, not often they ventured out and mixed with other intimate friends. The perfect escape from a very public Hollywood life, it was likely a very special time for Tyrone Power. But what does it say about Helen Frye? Simply that she was absolutely amazing and there is was much more to her than people ever dreamed. A beautiful woman, inside and out.......a marriage to a Vanderbilt, and to one of the most powerful men in the world, Jack Frye..........interest from Howard Hughes, and lastly.........a marriage proposal from one of Hollywood's most attractive movie stars. Tyrone Power, a picture idol.......a god-like man adored by women and men world-wide. Helen Vanderbilt Frye was truly......."all that and much more"!

Tyrone Power was considered a valued friend to many who knew him. He married his first wife Annabella on April 23, 1939. Divorced- January 26, 1948. He married Linda Christian on January 27, 1949. Divorced- August 7, 1956. Tyrone and Helen did not marry, but remained close to the end of his life. He did remarry one last time to Deborah Ann Minardos, May 7, 1958. (It was rumored locally that he died at the time he and Helen Frye were engaged, but this can't be true). In fact Ty Power died while making the film, "Solomon and Sheba" in Italy, November 15, 1958 at the young age of 44. He was a heavy smoker as was Helen. Ty was laid to rest at Hollywood Memorial Cemetery. He left behind two children by Linda, and one by Debbie, a son born January 19, 1959, two months after Tyrone died. At his funeral his long term friend Cesar Romero spoke, ".......he was beautiful man, he was beautiful outside and he was beautiful inside". A fitting tribute for a man considered one of the most attractive men to ever come out of Hollywood.

Linda Christian seen at a premier in 1959.

Thanks to Rosie Armijo and Bob Bradshaw for some of the background information of this article.

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