The ‘Wilhelm Scream’
Have you ever heard of the Wilhelm Scream? Chances are you haven’t, unless you are a huge film buff. I am certain you have heard the actual scream, though. You just didn’t know it. After you read this, your movie-going experience will never be the same. Ah, the power of enlightenment.
Anyway, I was researching Quentin Tarantino on Wikipedia. This stemmed from an article about Uma Thurman announcing an engagement, or something along those lines. I thought she was married to Ethan Hawke, so I wikiid her and then ended up wikiing Tarantino and somehow ended up at the Wilhelm Scream.
It is a stock sound-effect taken from a film called “Distant Drums,” back in 1951, according to Wiki. Actor/singer Sheb Wooley is given credit for the voice. What is interesting is that it has been used in a massive amount of films. Check Wiki for the list of films.
Upon further investigation, I found a Youtube compilation. I hope it gives you a chuckle or two.
2008
2009
2010
2011
2011
2011
2012
2011
2010
Oh boy, my aural experience of movies is forever stained with way too much awareness … =)
Great find!
Marc
Thanks, Marc. We must be careful, though, when a character is getting thrown off a building or into the mouth of a giant earthworm creature, etc., not to laugh inappropriately
It made me want to watch them all (for the first time or again)! Including “Them!”, not only for the scream but for the ant too!