Maxwell J. Terr[1][2] (November 16, 1889 – August 2, 1951[3]) was a Russian-born American pianist, arranger, bandleader, and film composer, best known for his Oscar-nominated score for the 1942 version of Charlie Chaplin's The Gold Rush and for the march theme of MGM's Metro News.
[5] In the summer of 1890, having not yet reached his first birthday, Terr and his family emigrated to the United States,[6] arriving in New York City on August 15.
The dance music we will play will be specially arranged by Max Terr and will sparkle and scintillate, and flow along smoothly, melodiously, brilliantly.
[21] Not quite three months later, at the request of his only surviving relative, half-sister Serafrina Harmon, Terr's remains were removed and re-interred at Mount Carmel Cemetery in Bell Gardens, California.
[22][23] On May 7, 1952, composer Meredith Willson—on whose radio programs Terr had served as choir director for roughly two decades—appeared on the new Ed Murrow-hosted radio series This I Believe to pay tribute to his late friend and colleague, focusing especially on Terr's extraordinary dedication to finding or devising ergonomic improvements, as well as his exceeding generosity in sharing the fruits of his research.