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Fred Foy
Announcer
"I remember the first broadcast when I was in the studio and here was 'The Lone Ranger' right across from me....You've got the William Tell Overture leading in and then he would say "Hi-yo Silver!" and I would say: 'A fiery horse with a speed of light, a cloud of dust, and a hearty 'Hi-yo Silver!', the Lone Ranger!' That was exciting."
About This Interview
In his over two-hour Archive interview, Fred Foy (1921-2010) talks about his first work in broadcasting at the 250-watt radio station WMBC, where he worked for on-the-job experience. He talks about his start at Detroit station WXYZ, interrupted by his service during World War II, and his return to the station following his service. He gives a description of his years during the war, working in Cairo, Egypt as the "American" announcer on the all-British announcing staff there, and how he came to participate in a radio broadcast opposite Jack Benny. He speaks in great detail about his long tenure as narrator for the legendary WXYZ radio show "The Lone Ranger." For "The Lone Ranger" he describes a typical work-week on the series and gives his impressions of Brace Beemer (who played the Ranger) and others in the cast. Foy performs the famous opening narration ("A fiery horse with the speed of light, a cloud of dust, and a hearty Hi-Yo Silver….") and recounts the story of how, for one broadcast, he subbed for Brace Beemer, who had laryngitis. Foy then talks about The Lone Ranger's transition to television: noting actors who moved from the radio to the television show, describing the back story of the "Lone Ranger" character (re-established on television), and relating his meeting of television's "Lone Ranger," Clayton Moore. Foy also looks back on his association with WXYZ's other popular radio adventures "The Green Hornet" and "Challenge of the Yukon." He chronicles his move to New York City and his over twenty-year tenure as a staff announcer at the ABC network. He discusses several of the shows he worked on, including The Les Crane Show (ABC's first foray into late-night programming), The Dick Cavett Show, and The Daytime Emmy Awards. Lastly, he relates his experience appearing at SPERDVAC (The Society to Preserve and Encourage Radio Drama, Variety and Comedy) 's 75th anniversary celebration of "The Lone Ranger." B-roll includes photos from Foy's career in radio and television ("The Lone Ranger," The Dick Cavett Show) and a shot of the program cover from the SPERDVAC event. Gary Rutkowski conducted the interview in Studio City, CA on May 5, 2008.
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Video: Embeddable interview excerp - Fred Foy discusses his classic opening lines to The Lone Ranger radio and TV series:
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Highlights
Fred Foy on how Richard Benjamin, a huge Lone Ranger fan, was once a guest on the Dick Cavett Show and Foy announced the "Hi Ho Silver" opening as a surprise
Clip begins at: 25:33Fred Foy on Richard Benjamin, a huge Lone Ranger fan, was once a guest on the Dick Cavett Show and Foy announced the opening as a surprise
Clip begins at: 25:33, Duration: 13m 18sAnnouncer Fred Foy performs the memorable opening narration that he did for both radio and TV's "The Lone Ranger"
Clip begins at: 06:46, Duration: 00m 58s
Interview
- Part 1
- On his childhood and early influences; developing an early love of theater and acting
Clip begins at: 0:0 - On his first job in radio at WMBC; on working in radio at WXYZ which broadcast the radio show "The Lone Ranger"; on his military service in WWII in the Special Service unit which is where he learned how to be an announcer
Clip begins at: 08:17 - On a radio show he produced with Jack Benny while in the Special Services unit in Cairo; on the special "Christmas Overseas" from Egypt;
Clip begins at: 18:20 - On returning to his career as an announcer at WXYZ; getting the job as an announcer on "The Lone Ranger" radio show; on developing the voice for the announcer role
Clip begins at: 22:25 - Fred Foy on the first broadcast of The Lone Ranger when he says "A fiery horse with a speed of cloud and dust, and a hearty 'Hi-yo Silver, the Lone Ranger!"; on the time he stood in for the Lone Ranger
Clip begins at: 31:13 - On the production of The Lone Ranger radio show and a typical workweek; on the rest of the cast ; on why he believes the show was so popular
Clip begins at: 35:46 - On why the Lone Ranger's identity was kept masked; on the beginning of the television version of the radio show; on George Trendle, Clayton Moore
Clip begins at: 45:50 - Part 2
- On the narration and commercials on The Lone Ranger; on television on his role on the show;
Clip begins at: 0:0 - On working at a toy store when he was younger, and had to dress as the" Lone Ranger"; on the popularity of the television show on ABC; on how "The William Tell Overture" is identified with The Lone Ranger; on the final show
Clip begins at: 02:47 - On T he Green Hornet; Sgt. Preston of the Yukon; on moving to New York, working at ABC News in the 1960s as a news announcer
Clip begins at: 09:48 - On working on The Dick Cavett Show; Cavett was a Lone Ranger fan; on being inducted to the Radio Hall of Fame by Richard Benjamin; throwing a pie at Cavett
Clip begins at: 22:17 - On The Les Crane show; he was the announcer, a late-night network show
Clip begins at: 38:51 - On the craft of announcing; his technique and his voice; announcing for the Emmys; on changes in technology for announcers and voiceovers
Clip begins at: 43:31 - Part 3
- On his family; his proudest achievements; advice to aspiring hosts and TV professionals
Clip begins at: 0:0 - Announcer Fred Foy performs the memorable opening narration that he did for both radio and TV's "The Lone Ranger"
Clip begins at: 06:46
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