The Wilhelm Scream

You've probably heard this scream in multiple places but never really realized why it sounded so familiar.  I learned about it yesterday while watching a show on Hulu and thought it was funny enough to share.

The scream originated in the movie Distant Drums in 1951.  It was originally the sound of a man being bitten by an alligator but it became much more than that in the future.  It was used again in 1953 in the movie Charge at Feather River when the character, Wilhelm, is shot by an arrow.  It was popularized later by Ben Burt who did all the Star Wars and Indiana Jones movies.  Since then it has reportedly been used in over 150 movies and TV shows.  The sound is usually used when someone explodes, gets shot, or stabbed.

Once you hear it, you'll never be able to unhear it.