Jim,

I did research Helen Alvarez Smith!! I even heard she was still alive and
living in the San Diego area. I have made many attempts to contact her but she
never responds. From what I have found, the break-up between Wrather and Alvarez
was anything but amicable. I have records of several litigations and memos back
and forth accusing each other of things. If you have a friend that still knows
her, I would absolutrely love to communicate with her. The other interesting
thing...it was very hard finding pictures of Miss Alvarez. From what I got from
early Hotel execs was, she was a bit heavy and did not like to be photographed.
I could never confirm this though. Near then end of writing the book, I did find
an outsatnding picture of her at the Hotel's Grand Opening celebration, helping
Jack Wrather cut the ribbon. There is also a Tulsa TV website which has a very
nice article (and small picture of her) detailing the history of her entry into
television. The site also used my
picture of her at the opening day ceremony. She was/is a very smart and
interesting woman. This woman would probably make fascinating conversation if
only I could meet her. BTW-I am in contact with the Wrather's surving children.
Chris Wrather wrote the introduction to the book. More on them later. Thanks so
much for your email. I would love to speak with Miss Alvarez-Smith. The rarest
Hotel collectibles say Wrather-Alvarez Hotels on them.

Don Ballard

jim stephens <jwstephens@...> wrote:
don ballard wrote:

> Yes, we have stayed many nights at the Disneyland Hotel.

Don,
I have not looked at your web site, but will. I wonder if you ran across
Helen Smith, who was Jack Wrather's partner? I have a friend who
has known her from the 1940's from Channel 8 in San diego, two
airlines (golden west, imperial) and Channel 69. I know that she
was involved up to the acquisition of Wrather Corp by Disney which
has lead to the current operation where it is combined with the park.

Too bad the full park plan was not approved when all that was
taking place. It would be nice to have Disneyland all the way down
katella on the south, I-5 on the east up to harbor and the 5. I know
they own all that, (I think) and would have gone that way if they
had gotten the financing for the parking structure. maybe the disneyland
hotel and downtown disney would have been different if there had
been an east disneyland rather than the DCA in the parkinglot
fiasco ( my opinion, of course).

Jim


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