Poster Saturday Cinema
MPR
Saturday Cinema

Bernard Herrman: A Heart at Fire's Center

Saturday Cinema - Bernard Herrman: A Heart at Fire's Center

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

Love the music?

Donate by phone
1-800-562-8440

Show your support by making a gift to YourClassical.

Each day, we’re here for you with thoughtful streams that set the tone for your day – not to mention the stories and programs that inspire you to new discovery and help you explore the music you love.

YourClassical is available for free, because we are listener-supported public media. Take a moment to make your gift today.

More Ways to Give

Your Donation

$5/month
$10/month
$15/month
$20/month
$

Latest Saturday Cinema Episodes

VIEW ALL EPISODES

Latest Saturday Cinema Episodes

November birthdays

November birthdays

This week on ‘Saturday Cinema,’ join host Lynne Warfel to celebrate November birthdays in the world of film, including Viven Leigh, Claude Rains and Burt Lancaster — plus a couple of belated birthdays from October. Listen now!

1:59:57
Send in your Saturday Cinema requests!
Veterans Day

Veterans Day

This week on ‘Saturday Cinema,’ host Lynne Warfel shares music from films that pay tribute to those who have served our country. Selections include ‘Saving Private Ryan,’ ‘The Deer Hunters,’ ‘Forrest Gump’ and more. Listen now!

1:58:58
The other votes: more of Lynne's top 100 films

The other votes: more of Lynne's top 100 films

This week on ‘Saturday Cinema,’ host Lynne Warfel shares more music from her top 100 films, ranging from ‘The Pink Panther’ to ‘Coco’ to ‘Driving Miss Daisy.’ Listen now!

1:59:01
Hollywood Halloween

Hollywood Halloween

This week on ‘Saturday Cinema,’ host Lynne Warfel shares music from flicks for fright and fun. Categories include monsters, ghosts and other stuff that goes bump in the night. Listen now!

1:59:01
Listen: Lynne Warfel celebrates 10 years of 'Saturday Cinema' with top 25 films
1:58:59
Jerry Goldsmith and Elmer Bernstein

Jerry Goldsmith and Elmer Bernstein

This week on ‘Saturday Cinema,’ join host Lynne Warfel for a show dedicated to the music of legendary American film composers Jerry Goldsmith and Elmer Bernstein. Selections include music from ‘Ghostbusters,’ ‘Alien’ and ‘The Great Escape.’ Listen now!

1:58:59
Maurice Jarre

Maurice Jarre

This week on ‘Saturday Cinema,’ join host Lynne Warfel for a show dedicated to the music of Maurice Jarre, at the request of a listener from the Minnesota State Fair. Selections include music from ‘Doctor Zhivago,’ ‘Dead Poets Society’ and more. Listen now!

1:58:55
September birthdays

September birthdays

This week on ‘Saturday Cinema,’ join host Lynne Warfel to celebrate September birthdays in the world of film, including Robert Wise, Peter Sellers, Mitzi Gaynor, Laruen Bacall and Elia Kazan. Listen now!

1:58:58
Saturday Cinema Quiz: Famous Film Lines

Saturday Cinema Quiz: Famous Film Lines

‘Saturday Cinema’ host Lynne Warfel has compiled this quiz to celebrate the 10th anniversary of the show. How well do you know famous film lines? See if you can match wits with Lynne!

VIEW ALL EPISODES