Greater Astoria Historial Society 35-20 Broadway, 4th Floor | L.I.C., NY 11106 718.278.0700 | www.astorialic.org Gallery Hours: Mondays & Wednesdays 2-5 PM Saturdays 12-5 PM Exhibits ~ Lectures ~ Documentaries ~ Books Walking Tours ~ Historical Research Unique & Creative Content For more information visit us on the web at www.astorialic.org This image adapted from an invitation to the Long Island City Athletics 33rd Annual Masque Ball, 1909. 32 october 2014 i LIC COURIER i www.queenscourier.com legends Steiner with Lana Turner and Spencer Tracy on the set of “Cass Timberlane”(1947). Astorian Herman Steiner moved to California and became a “professional” chess player. He won the US Open twice. But his most celebrated accomplishment came in 1945, when, in the first international chess tournament after WWII, Herman chalked the only American victory in the devastating rout by the dominate Soviet team. In fact, Herman became known as the “chess teacher of the stars” and had virtually carte blanche access to movie studios. Occasionally, movie directors would have chess scenes in their movies and would have Herman on set as a consultant. One example is “Cass Timberlane” (1947) starring Spencer Tracy and Lana Turner. On the set Herman allegedly told Turner: “You should not play chess, it might spoil that perfect figure.” Everyone liked Herman. He was intelligent, articulate and knowledgeable of world affairs. He was always viewed as the “pride of the family,” the one which grabbed the American Dream by the horns and ran with it. Only later was it discovered that he was not the only talent in the Steiner lineage. The famed music composer, Max Steiner, was Herman’s second cousin! In his world travels he met many luminaries and heads of state, some famous and some infamous. He gave chess lessons to Marshal Tito of Yugoslavia. He dined with Joseph Stalin and Nikita Khrushchev in Russia in 1946 and 1955 respectively while representing the U.S. in team matches. He gave of his time freely and was noted for how inclusive he was to all. He would be as kind and attentive to the least among amateur chess players as he would to world champions and heads of state. He would go to hospitals and play chess with patients. He helped promote chess in the schools and for blind, deaf and disabled children. He took a game with 64 squares and 32 inanimate pieces and turned it into a social medium for reaching out to people. Sadly, like the candle that burns brightest also burns fastest, so too did Herman’s light. He died of a massive heart attack on Nov. 25, 1955 at only age 50. LEGENDS OF LIC BY GREATER ASTORIA HISTORICAL SOCIETY LEGENDS OF LIC Epilogue: Herman had two sons, Armin and Eugene. Eugene became a doctor of pharmacy with a long list of awards for excellence. He even had his own radio show, “Good Health with Dr. Gene.” Armin converted his father’s famous chess club into a recording studio and initiated a new legacy as an early California anchor point for the Motown era pioneered by Berry Gordy, Jr., in 1959. The list of famous names who recorded at Armin’s studio is staggering: Stevie Wonder, The Supremes, Marvin Gaye, Neil Diamond, Dolly Parton, and many more. Later, Armin’s reputation brought him to the television and movie industry where his credits are extensive, including such movies as Cocoon (1985), The Matrix (1999), Finding Nemo (2003), WALL-E (2008), and television series such as The Simpsons, King of the Hill, and numerous others. Now 80, he continues to this day. Herman would be proud. If anyone has information on Herman, his biographer would like to hear from you. His email is [email protected].
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