On this episode of Saturday Cinema, host Lynne Warfel talks with four-time Emmy-nominated producer and author Steven C. Smith about his book A Heart at Fire's Center: The Life and Music of Bernard Herrmann.  Smith also has written and produced more than 200 biographies and documentaries for A&E's Biography series, HBO and AMC, and he has appeared on TCM and done presentations for the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences.

Smith talks about Herrmann's complex and difficult character, as well as his great passion for filmmaking, his collaborations and deep friendship with Alfred Hitchcock, and his work with Ray Harryhausen, Martin Scorsese and others.

The music includes selections from Herrmann’s scores for The Man Who Knew Too Much, Psycho, The Trouble With Harry, Citizen Kane, The Devil and Daniel Webster and The Day the Earth Stood Still, and a suite from Harryhausen’s films.

Playlist

The Snows Of Kilimanjaro: Memory Waltz
Bernard Herrmann (Composer)
Paul Bateman (Conductor)
Torn Curtain: The Classic Film Music Of Bernard Herrmann (Album)
City Of Prague Philharmonic Orchestra (Orchestra/Ensemble)
Duration: 4:24

The Man Who Knew Too Much: Prelude
Bernard Herrmann (Composer)
Paul Bateman (Conductor)
Torn Curtain: The Classic Film Music Of Bernard Herrmann (Album)
City Of Prague Philharmonic Orchestra (Orchestra/Ensemble)
Duration: 2:16

Journey To The Center Of The Earth: Selections
Bernard Herrmann (Composer)
Bernard Herrmann (Conductor)
Bernard Herrmann: Great Film Music (Album)
National Philharmonic Orchestra (Orchestra/Ensemble)
Duration: 5:21

Citizen Kane: Selections
Bernard Herrmann (Composer)
Charles Gerhardt (Conductor)
Citizen Kane: The Classic Film Scores Of Bernard Herrmann (Album)
National Philharmonic Orchestra (Orchestra/Ensemble)
Kiri Te Kanawa, Soprano (Soloist)
Duration: 13:40

Vertigo: Suite
Bernard Herrmann (Composer)
Paul Bateman (Conductor)
Torn Curtain: The Classic Film Music Of Bernard Herrmann (Album)
City Of Prague Philharmonic Orchestra (Orchestra/Ensemble)
Duration: 10:10

The Trouble With Harry: A Portrait Of Hitch
Bernard Herrmann (Composer)
Paul Bateman (Conductor)
Psycho: The Essential Alfred Hitchcock (Album)
City Of Prague Philharmonic Orchestra (Orchestra/Ensemble)
Duration: 8:49

Anna And The King Of Siam: Elegy
Bernard Herrmann (Composer)
Joel Mcneely (Conductor)
In Session: A Film Music Celebration (Album)
Seattle Symphony (Orchestra/Ensemble)
Duration: 4:24

The Ghost And Mrs. Muir: Main Title And Finale
Bernard Herrmann (Composer)
Paul Bateman (Conductor)
Torn Curtain: The Classic Film Music Of Bernard Herrmann (Album)
City Of Prague Philharmonic Orchestra (Orchestra/Ensemble)
Duration: 5:02

The Day The Earth Stood Still: Outer Space
Bernard Herrmann (Composer)
Erich Kunzel (Conductor)
Fantastic Journey (Album)
Cincinnati Pops Orchestra (Orchestra/Ensemble)
Duration: 1:49

The Devil And Daniel Webster: Sleigh Ride
Bernard Herrmann (Composer)
Erich Kunzel (Conductor)
Chiller (Album)
Cincinnati Pops Orchestra (Orchestra/Ensemble)
Duration: 1:53

Ray Harryhausen Fantasy Film Suite
Bernard Herrmann (Composer)
Paul Bateman (Conductor)
Torn Curtain: The Classic Film Music Of Bernard Herrmann (Album)
City Of Prague Philharmonic Orchestra (Orchestra/Ensemble)
Duration: 10:13

Psycho: Prelude And The City
Bernard Herrmann (Composer)
Joel Mcneely (Conductor)
In Session: A Film Music Celebration (Album)
Royal Scottish Orchestra (Orchestra/Ensemble)
Duration: 4:09

Flute Quartet No. 2
Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart (Composer)
Mozart: Flute Quartets (Album)
Emmanuel Pahud, Flute (Soloist)
Duration: 11:39

North By Northwest: Prelude
Bernard Herrmann (Composer)
Paul Bateman (Conductor)
Psycho: The Essential Alfred Hitchcock (Album)
City Of Prague Philharmonic Orchestra (Orchestra/Ensemble)
Duration: 3:21

Obsession: Valse Lente
Bernard Herrmann (Composer)
Paul Bateman (Conductor)
Torn Curtain: The Classic Film Music Of Bernard Herrmann (Album)
City Of Prague Philharmonic Orchestra (Orchestra/Ensemble)
Duration: 1:46

Torn Curtain: Suite
Bernard Herrmann (Composer)
Paul Bateman (Conductor)
Torn Curtain: The Classic Film Music Of Bernard Herrmann (Album)
City Of Prague Philharmonic Orchestra (Orchestra/Ensemble)
Duration: 6:07