Talking Soundtracks: Herrmann And Hitchcock - Interview With Steven C. Smith Part 1

Steven C. Smith is a familiar name and voice to listeners of Talking Soundtracks. In 2021, Jason Drury talked to the Emmy-nominated documentary producer and award-winning author about his book, MUSIC BY MAX STEINER: THE EPIC LIFE OF HOLLYWOOD’S MOST INFLUENTIAL COMPOSER.

In 2022, Jason talked to Steven again about his first book, published in 1991, A HEART AT FIRE’S CENTER: THE LIFE AND MUSIC OF BERNARD HERRMANN, about another pioneering and influential composer in the history of film music.

In December 2025, Jason had the pleasure of speaking with Steven about his most recent book, HITCHCOCK AND HERRMANN: THE FRIENDSHIP AND FILM SCORES THAT CHANGED CINEMA, which tells the story of the rise and fall of one of the most significant composer-director collaborations in film history.

In part one of this special two-part edition, they discussed how the book came to be, how Herrmann and Hitchcock met, and the first collaborations between the legendary filmmaker and composer. You’ll also hear selections of music from the films Herrmann and Hitchcock worked on together.

Enjoy!

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