Hollywood’s Most Influential Composer Guest: Steven Smith, producer, director, and author, "Music by Max Steiner: The Epic Life of Hollywood's Most Influential Composer" He gave heart and soul to an oversized gorilla in "King Kong," produced longing in "Casablanca," and changed movies forever. Max Steiner's musical scores also influenced the generations of composers who followed him, including Hans Zimmer and John Williams.  Casablanca Guest: Harlan Lebo, author, "Casablanca: Behind the Scenes" Casablanca was made six months into World War II and the screen simmers with both political and romantic tension.