R.I.P.: Herman Stein (1915-2007)

Years ago, while dining with movie score composer Maurice Jarre, I told him that he should be proud that so many couples have fallen in love while listening to "Laura's Theme" (from Doctor Zhivago), even if few of them ever knew his name. (He laughed, and agreed.) Along the same lines: Herman Stein played a significant role in many of the horror and sc-fi films that brightened my Saturday matinees (and haunted my worst nightmares) during my misspent youth. But I have to admit: I didn't know or appreciate who he was until the obituaries started rolling in this weekend.