How Jack Frye helped transform Sedona from shades of gray to vivid vibrant COLOR!

Sedona Legend Profile Series

Jack Frye, one of the original three founders of TWA and long time president, first came to Arizona in the mid 1920's, later to Sedona Arizona in the late 1930's. It must be noted that Jack Frye is credited with greatly promoting tourism to this grand state, as well as initiating the very first regular scheduled passenger air service through the state, via Phoenix, and Tucson. It was Jack Frye who was greatly responsible for making Arizona a winter get-a-way for celebrities and Hollywood movie stars. By spring of 1941, Jack and his wife, the former Mrs. Cornelius Vanderbilt Jr., were buying up tracts of ranch property near Baldwin's Crossing, (now Crescent Moon Recreational Area,) near what we now call Sedona. The Frye "Smoke Trail Ranch," encompassed over 800 acres of prime red rock Oak Creek property, yet this was just a small portion of the 50,000 acres the Frye's owned statewide. As two of the earliest celebrities to call Sedona home, Jack and Helen shared their utopia hide-a-way with many notables, and personal friends throughout the years. Jack, an avid photographer, possessed very advanced photographic skills and equipment, which he utilized photographing the Sedona area. Below is a mystery photograph that appeared as a Christmas card one year by the Frye's, and subsequently became one of Transcontinental and Western Air's most circulated postcards. It has been said that Jack may have taken the original. Printed on the bottom of the postcard are the poignant words, "Use your camera, remember your trip with pictures."

Please see articles on this page for the story behind this photo, originally used in a TWA Calendar by Jack Frye in 1942!

Postcard courtesy of Transcontinental and Western Air

In February of 1947, Jack resigned from TWA after over 20 years, due to a disagreement with Howard Hughes, the biggest stockholder of the company. From a dream, Jack built TWA from the ground up, and became the "father" of TWA, widely loved and respected by his employees and colleagues, all of which he considered family. In spite of the rift, to Jack's credit he was always available for his old friend Howard in the ensuing years. This says a lot about Jack's love for TWA, and his stellar character. Proof of this loyalty surfaced many years later in 1957, when Jack was implored through secret negotiations, to take over the presidency of TWA and save the then floundering company. In the end Jack decided to move on with his own ventures, rather than try to work with Howard again. Jack never stopped caring deeply about the company, and the proposal caused him great anguish. He died less than two years later. Jack was not without career prospects after TWA in 1947, and soon was to once again shoot like a comet to the top of the corporate world. It comes as no surprise that he was encouraged to run for president of the United States, a challenge he decided to pass on. Jack had been one of the youngest corporate leaders ever, and one of the best pilots in the nation, a real genius. However, Jack was at heart an entrepreneur, everything he touched turned to gold, and TWA was an excellent example. So revered was this giant of a man, that recently he was inducted into Harvard School's "Great American Business Leaders of the 20th Century." An unparalleled honor, Jack now resides in the company of some of the most successful business leaders our country has ever known, certainly very much deserved. Of course Jack has also been inducted into the "National Aviation Hall of Fame,"  Journal of the Air Force Association, as well as many other fine organizations.

Photo of Jack Frye in about 1947-48. Location is either at TWA, Washington D.C., or Aniline Corporation, 230 Park Avenue, New York, NY See Jack Frye Biography at "The Man, The Legend."

The two positions that Jack soon settled on, were president and later CEO, of General Aniline and Film Corporation, (G.A.F.) Ansco Film Corporation, and General Dyestuff. Companies employing over  9,500 employees around the country. Jack's experience and interest in photography paid off, well exhibited with his passion in meticulously documenting photographically, TWA's achievements and milestones. So at four times his salary with TWA, Jack took control of this struggling enterprise, July 1, 1947. Profits increased by 50 percent the first year alone, and for the next 8 years Jack turned the stuggling corporation into one of the most successful enterprises in the country. Ansco was the only competitor of Kodak at that time, producing all manner of film and related equipment, as in Agfa-ANSCO, not to mention Hollywood celluloid for blockbuster films. See article here, and here. From national newspaper articles: "Although Frye's present job is a far cry from aviation, he entered it with one good qualification--a sound understanding of the basic principles of photography. Two of Aniline's major products are Ansco photographic equipment and Ozalid reproduction machines." "As president of "Trans World Airlines, Mr. Frye built an international system of air transportation that is of great commercial and military importance to the nation. Both of these companies will greatly benefit from the immense knowledge and capacity which Mr. Frye will bring them......a finer choice could not have been made than the selection of Mr. Frye as the chairman of the two companies." During this time Helen and Jack vacated their home near Washington D.C. (the Doubleday Mansion) and moved to New York City. A region all too familiar to Helen where she had spent much time with her previous husband, Cornelius Vanderbilt Jr. The Sedona ranch was her preference however, and she and Jack would escape there as often as possible. Both of them considered this their main residence. Interestingly, Jack's address is documented in Who's Who and other publications as Smoke Trail Ranch in Sedona, even though he and Helen had many other fine homes. As well, Helen and Jack were completing their dream home, "House of Apache Fires," at their Sedona Smoke Trail Ranch.

(Text from ROLEX advertisement as displayed above, follows.)

Looking for new worlds to conquer, is indeed, the natural environment of Jack Frye, Chairman of the Board of General Aniline & Film Corporation. This pioneer aviator, formerly president for many years of T.W.A., today directs one of the world's great industrial empires. His multiple duties include the responsibility of manufacture and distribution for a variety of diversified products.....dyestuffs, chemicals, Ozalid copying machines, sensitized materials, Ansco Cameras, film and sundries. Time is of the essence to such men as Jack Frye and his associates. It is for safeguarding the precious moments of executives such as these.....and for you.....Rolex Watches are made available by the leading jewelers of the United States.

Along the Highways and Byways of Finance

New York Profile on Jack Frye and General Aniline Corporation

December 9, 1951

"Although soft spoken and always gracious in manner, Frye is a hard driving-executive and one who burns the midnight oil in his work".

Please click on photo to the right for larger file.

Sedona Arizona is said to be the most photographed region in the United States. However this was not always the case. When early residents first scraped out homesteads on the banks of Oak Creek, they understandably were more concerned about hostile Indians and growing crops, than taking snapshots. In time this changed as tourists found their way to Sedona for fishing, hunting and relaxation. In time, Sedona became a mecca for Hollywood location films, offering perfect weather and scenery. A man stumbled onto Sedona during this early period, about 5 years after Jack Frye, and their paths would soon cross. His name was Bob Bradshaw, a struggling entrepreneur who was later was to become a household name. Bob had traveled the United States for about 10 years, seemingly searching for something....... somewhere.......his destiny. What he eventually found was beyond his wildest dreams, a location so beautiful, so unspoiled, that it defied description. This place was the red rock country. With gifted eyes, Bob saw his destiny spread out before him in the guise of crimson rocks and breathtaking vistas. In a vision only a photographer could experience, Bob dreamed up the marriage of Sedona and film.

Launching a photography shop in Sedona 55 years ago was a difficult venture. Uptown Sedona offered virtually no buildings, let alone services. The building Bob located was small with a selling price of $2000.00. For financing Bob approached the Bank of Arizona in Clarkdale. The outcome was not favorable however, as the Bank sent him a letter stating the Sedona market was not a good risk. Unbelievable in regard to today's market. Fortunately the owner worked out a deal whereas he could rent the building for $15.00 a month. So Bob made the best of it all, and soon opened his doors. At the onset, Bob encountered difficulty stocking the store with film, in a manner of which he could make a profit. He was not successful in getting a Kodak or Ansco distributorship, which would net him wholesale prices. "Yes, this is Bob Bradshaw in Sedona, Arizona. I'm selling your film in my business, but I can't buy it out here low enough to make a profit......." "Where did you say you are?" "Sedona, Arizona," answered Bob........." "Where the hell is that? .......Sorry, we can't help you".....click. Subsequently, Bob was forced to take the Greyhound bus to Flagstaff, at twenty five cents each way, just to secure film. At that chilly locale the merchants offered him a slight break on the price, but not enough for him to generate any profit. However fate was soon to intervene.................

Bob and his wife Bea outside of the first store location in 1949.

Who you know can grease the wheels of business!

One day in 1949, Bob was gazing across the 89A toward the Oak Creek Tavern. Lost in thought he was contemplating how he was going to get Kodak or Ansco to help him. Suddenly he spotted a well-dressed man in a big Cadillac convertible. A light went off in Bob's head, and in seconds he was out the door. As he approached the car, the words spilled forth, "Mr. Frye......Mr. Frye.......Please may I talk to you for a minute?" (Bob had heard that Jack Frye was now president of Aniline Film Corporation.) "It's nice to meet you, Mr. Bradshaw, how can I help you?" said Jack, as he puffed on his trademark cigar. Bob proceeded to explain his predicament to the sympathetic Jack, after which Jack finally said, "don't worry Bob, I'll take care of you." As Bob watched the car glide away, he wondered if his fate had finally changed.

Uptown Sedona in 1949, showing Oak Creek Tavern, with a Union 76 sign on the front. This is the scene where Bob flagged down Jack Frye.

Within two days, three men in fancy business suits showed up at Bradshaw's Photo Shop, falling all over themselves with the words: "what can 'we' do for you, Mr. Bradshaw?" Jack had made a simple phone call and the door opened, all the way from Los Angeles, California. To this day, Bob Bradshaw credits Jack Frye with helping him get his struggling enterprise started, and says he would have gone under without the generous favor. Jack, a lover of photography, saw the potential of Sedona, and had no problem helping out a fellow entrepreneur. Up until this time, only black and white film was available in Sedona, so it is not a mis-statement to say that Jack Frye helped bring the world of color to Sedona. And as soon as Bob started stocking color film, other Sedona merchants did the same. Eventually Bob wrote Kodak headquarters in Rochester, New York. The result was a response from the vice-president, who offered Bob a distributorship, in regard to his association with Ansco. It really is "who" you know in this world, and Bob proved that. Kodak was not one to pass up a little competition with Ansco and their rival Jack Frye.

Late 1940's advertisements, courtesy of Aniline Film Company

As an example, while Jack Frye was CEO and president of Ansco, the corporation's celluloid was used in the famous 1954 MGM film, "Seven Brides for Seven Brothers." This film used the exclusive Ansco Color Process. The academy award winning Hollywood blockbuster was shot twice, wide version and narrow version, to accommodate the US market screen sizes. A real coup' for Ansco. One of the most popular of all MGM musicals, enhanced with vibrant rich color, it remains a fine example of Ansco technology. This was just one aspect of Jack's career as head of this international company!

Bob soon found a better location across the street, and a little north, at 297 North Highway 89A. From a Hollywood movie Bob worked on called "Broken Arrow," he was offered 3 truck loads of unused movie set lumber, and a new building he designed soon took shape. As one of the first new buildings to enhance uptown Sedona, this photography shop was to become a great success. Soon Bob aspired to one of the southwest's most recognized photographers, with his work appearing in a variety of publications, not to mention gracing the pages of Arizona Highways magazine for over 30 years. Shopping for postcards in Sedona and the southwest? Undoubtedly you had to sort through many of Bob's lovely vistas, distributed by Bradshaw Studios. Eventually Bob took up ranching, securing one of the most beautiful properties in Sedona. With his knowledge of the red rock country, he was a natural as a professional movie location scout for Hollywood film makers. Within this association he has appeared in many blockbuster films, and even erected a movie set on his ranch which has been utilized in numerous Hollywood westerns. In time, he started a popular "Western Movie Trails," horseback riding business, and has successfully published numerous popular books and publications. Now over five decades later, Bob Bradshaw IS a household name in Sedona......a local legend. With the appearance of a real ole' time cowboy, Bob is an information treasure trove of Sedona's exciting past. The business Bob launched 55 years ago eventually was sold to Mr. and Mrs. Rollie Houck. It survives today as Rollie's Camera Shop, a true Sedona landmark..............more film is sold at this location than any other outlet in Arizona.

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