Hitchcock and Herrmann: The Friendship and Film Scores that Changed Cinema

by Steven C. Smith

This is the story of the game-changing collaboration between director Alfred Hitchcock and composer Bernard Herrmann, who channelled their inner fears and desires into films that would become the nightmarish narratives and soundtracks of our lives.

The 11-year collaboration between Alfred Hitchcock and Bernard Herrmann is often called the greatest director-composer partnership in cinema history. Their eight films together include such classic thrillers as Vertigo, The Man Who Knew Too Much, North by Northwest, Psycho, and The Birds. In Hitchcock and The Friendship and Film Scores that Changed Cinema, Steven C. Smith delivers an intimate account of how the reserved, but deeply anxious, Hitchcock found his ideal creative partner in the cantankerous, but deeply romantic, Herrmann. Smith draws on four decades of research, including previously unpublished documents and new interviews, to deliver a riveting account of what made the teaming of "Benny and Hitch" so memorable and influential -- and why it came to a bitter end.

Their story involves the tumultuous changes in Hollywood from the mid-1950s to mid-1960s, as the collapsing studio system gave way to independent, counterculture filmmaking. It also involves the key figures in Hitchcock and Herrmann's inner circle including the director's gifted wife and most valued critic, Alma Reville; Herrmann's beautiful, put-upon spouse, Lucy Anderson; and talent agent-turned-studio mogul Lew Wasserman. Wasserman's negotiations made Hitchcock's greatest filmmaking period possible, but over time Lew's commercial instincts as head of Universal Studios clashed with Herrmann's pure artistic vision.

Hitchcock and Herrmann is both a deeply researched historical study and a fast-moving, cinematic narrative -- one that puts readers on the film sets and scoring stages of Hitchcock masterworks. Their collaboration ended in a bitter break; but today Herrmann's pulse-quickening music has become the soundtrack of our own anxious times. The music from their movies is more popular than ever, heard in Quentin Tarantino blockbusters and Lady Gaga music videos. In Smith's expert telling, readers get an an intimate look at two legendary creators who, despite seemingly opposite personalities, found in each other artistic completion.

Genres: Music, Nonfiction, Biography, Media Tie In, Film, Collections, History

307 pages, Kindle Edition

Published September 3, 2025

About the author

Indie Author, hailing from the not so sunny United Kingdom.

I have always considered myself a creative zany person, expressing my idea's through writing and art. This led me on a journey to release my first ever self-published book late September 2016. The Dragon's Reclaim series is set to be an 8-part Fantasy saga, and as I edge closer to the series end, I know that new chapters will open out for me to create a diverse range of e-books and paperbacks in the years to come.

I find myself fascinated by dragons and all thing's fantasy fiction, so, was only a matter of time before I wrote my own idea's down.

As time passed by my ideas were combined, thus creating a whole world for my character's to live in, and soon I had an entire saga spinning round in my head.

I continue to tell my fairy tale adventure, and each and every day I become more and more inspired as the adventure grows.

More recently I have delved into publishing a Crime Novel, and a double-header Fantasy set of books, which are ten times more brutal and hard-hitting than any of my previous works. (18+)

Future works will include sequels to the above, and of course the conclusion of Dragon's Reclaim. Not to mention some other fantasy genre's including Vampires, Werewolves & Zombies. Stay tuned.

Reviews

[Leo · Rating 4 out of 5]

Got the audiobook arc for review.

I really enjoyed the narrator of this audiobook as well as the story itself. I was both interested it the book because of Hitchcock but also because its centers trough a friendship. As well as learning about the movies and the music it was somewhat moving learning deeply about the people involved. Glad that my first arc was a success.

[Michael · Rating 4 out of 5]

All about the collaboration between Alfred Hitchcock & Bernard Herrmann. I’ve not thought too much in the past about the marriage of film and music and how they affect and enhance each other. This book helps you to appreciate that. A well done and interesting book.

The only thing I had a hard time with was within each chapter the author would take the ‘Film Score’ and break each piece down into notes and what instruments are being used, and what it means and drag it out page after page. It made absolutely no sense to me, but that’s probably the beauty of it.

Thanks to Oxford University Press for the free copy to read and review.

[Jo Lee · Rating 3 out of 5]

2.5 ⭐️ rounded up.

I dawdled a bit in leaving this review partly because the other ratings are so high, but also because it’s so clear that the author has really poured himself into the pages. I assumed I just wasn’t getting it so I kept going back and trying again. In theory it should’ve been a complete win because I’m a big Hitchcock fan I’m a big fan of his era and impressed by the music. The book itself just wasn’t a fit for me, there’s too much padding and I was frequently bored. The research has clearly been meticulous but it felt like exactly that, a catalogue of facts. There was very little feeling considering it’s something of a passion project. I’m left considering if biographical work is really not my thing at all, or that perhaps they just don’t always work for an audiobook.

I was disappointed, you may not be, so give it a go.

Many thanks to HighBridge Audio and NetGalley for the opportunity to review this audiobook 🎧

[Mandy Lehti · Rating 5 out of 5]

Dear Mr. Smith,
Your book Hitchcock and Herrmann: The Friendship and Film Scores That Changed Cinema is a captivating and beautifully detailed account of one of the most fascinating collaborations in film history. You’ve managed to turn exhaustive research into a narrative that reads with the energy and tension of a great Hitchcock film itself.
What I found especially striking was the emotional depth you bring to both men the way you reveal Hitchcock’s meticulous control and Herrmann’s fierce artistic spirit as two sides of the same creative coin. Through your storytelling, readers gain a deeper appreciation of how their partnership not only transformed cinematic sound but also redefined the relationship between image and emotion.
Hitchcock and Herrmann has strong potential to reach audiences beyond film historians and scholars. Its mix of artistry, psychology, and human drama could engage readers passionate about music, creativity, and the behind the scenes forces that shape cultural history.
I would love to discuss ways to help position Hitchcock and Herrmann for broader recognition among film enthusiasts, musicians, and readers drawn to the intersection of art and storytelling.
Would you be open to a brief conversation about expanding the book’s reach and connecting it with new audiences who would appreciate its rich insight and timeless relevance?
Best regards,
Mandy L.
BOOK MARKETING CONSULTANT

[Beatriz · Rating 5 out of 5]

Book 5 of 2026 - ☑️! Thank you to NetGalley, HighBridge | Highbridge Audio and Steven C. Smith for an ALC of Hitchcock and Herrmann
The Friendship and Film Scores that Changed Cinema by Steven C. Smith and narrated by Steven C. Smith in exchange for my honest review.

I’m on a kick with some solid non-fiction books in 2026! As someone who works in film & TV, I saw this book come up on NetGalley, and after a quick search, I was shocked to see that the book was actually released last year, but hadn’t shown up in my algorithm. Suffice it to say, I requested this one and got approved within a few short days. In an effort to mix things up, I decided to jump into Hitchcock and Herrmann, and it did not disappoint.

Spanning decades of friendship, a working relationship and an eventual unfortunate falling out between Hitchcock and Herrmann, author Steven C. Smith is wonderfully engaging with both his written words and narration. There are some books, regardless of genre, that can feel quite dry - no matter the genre. Smith completely evades that, and I knew this would be enjoyable the entire way through just a short while after I started reading it. If you love not just Hitchcock, but horror movies or are any sort of a cinephile and have some interest in music and how scores and soundtracks can truly enhance your viewing experience, I think you’ll enjoy this book. (Lovers of Psycho & The Birds will feel particularly fulfilled in my opinion.)

I’ve worked on various projects on the Universal lot, which is mentioned constantly in the book, so that made reading this book all the more enjoyable, because I know a lot of the places and names that were mentioned in regards to Universal the lot and company.

5/5 ⭐️’s - I’m excited to read more of Smith’s work! 🔪🚿🎶 #NetGalley #HitchcockandHerrmann

[Bargain Sleuth Book Reviews · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thanks to NetGalley and HighBridge Audio for the digital copy of this book; I am leaving this review voluntarily.

I’m always up for a book about Alfred Hitchcock’s films. The Master of Suspense held my attention quite a bit because I like a good atmospheric mystery. As I’ve gotten older, I realize that Hitch was kind of pervy, but I still enjoy his films. It’s one of the rare instances where I can separate the art from the artist. And many of my favorite films were scored by Bernard Herrmann. Naturally, I wanted to know more about their 11-year collaboration.

I’m always game for a well-researched and personality driven histories, which this account of Hitchcock and Herrmann delivers in spades. The man behind the music of some of Hitchcock’s greatest films deserves its own analysis, and author Steven C. Smith delivers. I did not know much about Bernard Herrmann other than his art; this book reveals much about the man’s personality and personal life, too. Apparently, Smith wrote a book about the pair of artists more than 30 years ago and took the opportunity to dive into the treasure trove of archival records and papers that have become available during that time.

Hitchcock was no saint, but neither was Herrmann. The man had serious anger issues, but he was a brilliant artist, too. The collaboration between the two created some of the most famous scores in film history, right up there with John Williams. There was a terrible breakdown to this famous duo, which I knew nothing about. The breaking point was during the production of Torn Curtain, which is one of the films I adore (critics do not agree with me, however.) Hitch gave some vague instructions to Herrmann about what he wanted, but Bernard pretty much did the exact opposite. Hitch hated it so much that he cut the man out of his life completely.

The author is also the narrator, which doesn’t always work, but in this case, Smith did a fine job. My only wish, and I realize that it couldn’t happen because of music licensing, was the have clips of the music that was talked about. Even without hearing the scores, it was still a compelling listen.

[Ed · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a book I’ve been waiting for as this is one of the great collaborations in cinema history. One the one hand, this is excellent and in chronicling and understanding both Hitch and Benny and was everything I wanted. On the other, this was really poorly edited and padded way the fuck out. It keeps getting interrupted by quotes about Herrmann that just slow it down. I’d add a full star if this was just edited with more common sense.

[Mediaman · Rating 3 out of 5]

Basic overview of the relationship between the movie director and composer. It rehashes a lot of things that are in other books, and then at the end we discover that this author has rehashed his own previous writings--he penned a 1991 book on Herrmann and includes much of that material here, including 40-year-old interviews!

There's nothing profound here and I was disappointed that there wasn't much more material included on a couple of the pairing's movies. North by Northwest is woefully short on inclusion here and that may be because the author thinks so highly instead of Vertigo, which pales by comparison to the Cary Grant film. Smith also hypes Psycho (saying the strings screeching is the single greatest line of music in movie history).

But what I wanted was more information and opinions that were fresh, but it seems like he gave up on that in order to get to the gossipy end of the Hitchcock/Herrmann pairing. It's sad when two stubborn, emotionally fragile men break up a long friendship. What isn't stated here (beyond a sentence) is their sexuality and how it may have impacted either of the guys in their personalities.

For some odd reason Smith insists on often quoting a radio play from England called "Benny and Hitch." It's fictional but a number of direct quotes from the script are used to support the author's theories about the two subjects. It went nowhere because the dialogue was all fake and I'm not sure why the author thought it should be included.

Smith also puts words in Hitch and Benny's mouthes, drawing conclusions about what the two thought or "must have" done. For example, in the case of Herrmann taking public credit for creating the shower scene music in Psycho against Hitchcock's wishes of silence, this author writes that it "must have felt like betrayal to the director." He does this often in the book where Smith guesses what one of his subjects is thinking or reacting to.

It needed more facts, less negative speculation on the two subjects, and more interviews with modern filmmakers about the impact of Hitchcock and Herrmann.

[S.W. Capps · Rating 5 out of 5]

Award-winning author Steven C. Smith has delivered again, this time with a detailed study of two Hollywood heavyweights and their complicated relationship. ‘Hitchcock & Herrmann: The Friendship & Film Scores That Changed Cinema’ not only chronicles that wobbly relationship—from its genesis on ‘The Trouble With Harry’ to its dissolution on ‘Torn Curtain’—but dissects it, giving the reader a behind-the-scenes look at the perfection-driven pursuits that brought them together, the consequent clash of two massive egos, and the industry pressures that ultimately tore them apart.

In the process, Smith not only weaves an entertaining story but provides deep insights into film making, specifically the marriage of picture & sound. There are comprehensive references to instrumentation, underscoring, tempo, and theme, but the writing doesn’t bog down with technical jargon. Instead, it inspires the reader to access these iconic scenes & title sequences (via YouTube) and experience them firsthand, using Smith’s narrative as a road map.

In so doing, the author exhibits the rare ability to write for the expert and the layman alike—without alienating either—while painting vivid pictures at every turn: “Just as a black and white image contains an uncountable range of gray-scale tones, Herrmann’s ‘black and white’ sound offers infinite varieties of orchestral color.”

As a reader of biography, I desire two things: (1) to gain a deeper knowledge of the subject matter; and (2) to feel a pronounced intimacy with the subjects. Smith expertly checks both boxes but also takes it a step further. As I closed the book, I had a deeper grasp of cinema, a stronger sense of Hitchcock & Herrmann as human beings, and an insatiable desire to watch their films—‘Psycho’, ‘North by Northwest’, ‘Vertigo’, etc.—again and again.

[Chris · Rating 4 out of 5]

It is truly so wonderful to have another serious, book-length study of the great Bernard Herrmann -- from the man who has written the only other book, to date, about Herrmann. The fact that Smith went back, after 35 years, to elaborate on the history that Herrmann had with his most famous collaborator (now that more archival records and recordings and papers are available) is to be applauded. This book goes into a lot more detail about the decade or so of the Hitchcock and Herrmann partnership -- we follow along with the pre-production, production, and post-production process of each of the eight films that Herrmann scored for Hitchcock. The context given into the filmmaking process of these classic films -- along with the context of the studio system of the era and how it impacted the work of these two creative titans -- makes for both a compelling read and an important, thorough document of this partnership, including its legendary end.

If I have a criticism, it's that Smith appears to maybe be more deferential to Hitchcock than he should be. It's helpful to have Hitchcock's perspective but it feels at times as if the power dynamics of the relationship (they were not peers -- Hitchcock was the boss) are being forgotten. This is, after all, the most famous director in the world summarily firing one of his key collaborators, in a hostile and antagonistic way. It's a little surprising to see the author present the ugly breakdown of this famous partnership as so inevitable. One can imagine Hitchcock having a more conciliatory approach to Herrmann's controversial Torn Curtain score and instructing him to do it over. I expected the book to grapple with the brutal finality (callousness, even) of Hitchcock's actions here -- firing Herrmann, cutting him off, and never speaking to him again. Smith kind of does, but he also kind of does a "both sides" (Herrmann did not sufficiently heed Hitchcock's somewhat vague instructions, and so brought this upon himself, it would seem).

I admire Mr. Smith's work but I'm wondering if he wants to see Hitchcock in idealized terms (i.e. everything brilliant that Hitchcock did was Hitchcock's doing, and all the bad decisions were Lew Wasserman's fault and only Lew Wasserman's fault). Still -- this is an excellent book!

[Robert Bollinger · Rating 5 out of 5]

An entertaining and instructional novel that details the working relationship and the friendship of Alfred Hitchcock ( we all know him and his seminal works in film and Tv) and the less known Bernard Herrmann ( one of the most innovative score writers in film history). If you have never jumped to the shower scene in Psycho or been emotionally invested in movies ranging from Citizen Kane to Taxi Driver you are a different man than I . This subtle history of two mammoths in the film industry from the 30s to the 70s captures the fall of the old school studio controlled hierarchy and the growth of both independent filmmakers and the brand spanking new TV industry. Each of these men played a huge role in the transfer from the early talkies to the score laden heavily enthusiastic films of the post war years.' Hitch and Bennie' were both stars in the industry and purveyors of the new and bold to the world at large. Anyone who has felt the terror and suspense of Hitchcock's stories (films and tv series) or chilled to the intense nearly spectral emotional scores of Herrmann ( considered to this day as some of the best movie scores ever written) has experienced the mastery of these artists. What this book adds to the picture is the story of two friends and collaborators who together put out such pioneering films and TV series. Well worth the read and a shining new co-biography of the period.

[Critter · Rating 3 out of 5]

I would like to thank Netgalley and the publisher for providing me with an audio ARC.

I'll be honest and say I'm not really a fan of Hitchcock, but I do know how he is viewed by the larger horror audience. The first horror movie I watched was Psycho at too young of an age personally, but that didn'truin my love of the horrorgenre that eventually developed. So despite not really being a fan of Hitchcock's, I do have interest on his impact on the horror genre. I think this book really delves into the relationship Hitchcock had with Herrmann and really pushes that Herrmann also had a major impact on the horror genre as well, which I appreciated. I liked that we really got to see the rise and fall of the relationship between these two and their careers. I did find that the areas were individual films were discussed in their development to be more impactful. I do think that the writing was a little overly padded at times. The later sections of the book felt better written than the first sections. The narrator also did a great job with this book.

[Leslie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thanks to NetGalley and Highbridge Audio for the ALC of this audiobook!

In Hitchcock and Herrman, Smith does a deep dive into one of the most iconic collaborations in film history. Professionally, they created some of the most tense, recognizable scores in Hollywood. New archival materials give insight into the relationship between “Benny and Hitch,” including why their partnership ended.

I love film history, and I’m a huge fan of Psycho, North By Northwest, Vertigo, etc. So I was stoked to learn more about the behind the scenes of these films and their scores. I listened to the audiobook, and I’m not going to lie, I wondered if it was read by AI. However, all documentation says it’s narrated by the author. Whether it’s him reading it word for word or his voice used by generative AI, I cannot speak to. This did make it more difficult to focus and not zone out, but overall it was informative and interesting.

I learned some things, especially about composition (a subject I’m not too knowledgeable about). Plus, old school Hollywood trivia and drama tickled my brain.

[David Sterritt]

Steven C. Smith’s new book, “Hitchcock and Herrmann: The Friendship and Film Scores That Changed Cinema,” is rather breezily written, and it often defines musical terms in language that tries so hard to be universally understandable that it ends up sounding strained and telegraphic. But its pages are full of colorful anecdotes and interesting film-historical lore, much of which will be familiar to specialists but fascinating for regular moviegoers and music listeners. In all, an enjoyable volume and a good contribution to Hitchcock studies and Herrmann studies alike.

[Glenn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Illuminating and cogent. Sometimes the writing gets a little cutesy but otherwise impeccable.