Around the time he was 20, his mother gave him that legendary "$50 and a suitcase" to come out to Hollywood and get into motion pictures, impressed that a neighbor's daughter had signed a movie contract, but also knowing that her son had the mettle to perform (on stage at college, and later in film, television and radio).

He was taking in all the sights and sounds of the studio, when during a discussion, his authentic Southern accent combined with striking good looks landed him a meeting with Gone With The Wind first director George Cukor and producer David O. Selznick, which led to a script reading with Vivien Leigh, who had been chosen to play Scarlett O'Hara.

[1] Even though he had not intended to try out for a job that day, Fred's many years of study and immersion into the arts gave him remarkable abilities as a renaissance raconteur, able to recite verse on the spur of the moment, or launch into any one of thousands of songs from the spark of a conversation... and his voice and quick wit helped him meet the challenges of many opportunities, whether acting or as a craftsman.

One of the lasting Trivial Pursuit questions was initiated for all time, when an error in the credits listed his name as Stuart, who was actually played by George Reeves, who among his many roles, is also fondly remembered as Superman in the TV series.

Shortly afterward in 1946, he interviewed with Errett Lobban Cord, then-owner of KFAC (1330 AM), which had recently completed an evolution to a fine arts/classical music format.

Fred was hired part-time, (a second vocation attributed to his vocal prowess) for his exquisite speaking voice and extensive familiarity with musical compositions.

Fred continued with the radio station after it moved from Prudential Square (near Wilshire and La Brea) to new quarters on Yucca St. in Hollywood, until the day when most of the older staff were dismissed without notice in 1987.

He semi-retired in the 1990s, beginning a tour of several years of appearances for fans and special events, as well as cruise ship lectures and continuing on charity fundraisers for PBS station KCET.

The new millennium took him full circle back to the southern states, where he and his fifth wife, Terry Lynn, bought an antebellum mansion in Barnesville, Georgia and turned it into Tarleton Oaks, a bed-and-breakfast with a Gone With The Wind museum, where guests could view artefacts from the film.

[1] Tarleton Oaks was sold at an auction in 2007 due to Crane's failing health,[1] and as a part of the experience attendees were treated to a few hours of fond recollections from his early days in the film industry.