Coda

Steiner was devastated by his son’s death. He was also now legally blind. But the ever-loyal Delmer Daves convinced Steiner to score his latest film—even though Max could not see it. The joy of composition revitalized Steiner, who would regain much of his sight via successful operations. More scoring projects followed; but by 1965, the 77-year-old was ailing and unable to find work. Steiner’s last years were ones of reluctant retirement, mentorship, and tribute—including a celebration of his work on the 1968 Academy Awards. This biography concludes with a summation of Steiner’s legacy. Not only is he the single most important figure in film music history, thanks to his pioneering development of the scoring process, his gift for intensifying emotion and character psychology through memorable themes, innovative orchestration, and other devices produced scores that remain essential components of many of the greatest films ever made.