During production of the 1951 movie Distant Drums, a sound effect was born. Collectively entitled “man getting bit by an alligator, and he screams”, a sequence of short scream sound effects were recorded in studio, and take number 5 was used in the film during a alligator attack scene. Two years later the scream was recycled in The Charge at Feather River when a character named Private Wilhelm was shot with an arrow. In the ensuing years, the “Wilhelm Scream”, as the collection of takes became known, was used in a number of Warner Brothers films. And somewhere along the way the Wilhelm Scream developed a cult following of sorts. Damn Interesting has the story:

Since it was first blurted out upon the world, the scream has been featured in over two hundred movies, TV programs, commercials, video games, and theme park attractions, and it has been heard by countless people. Notable filmmakers have also specifically requested the Wilhelm scream for their movies after learning of its history, including directors Quentin Tarantino, Robert Rodriguez, and Peter Jackson.

It’s a distinctive sound sample and quite recognizable when you hear it in a film. There is a handy montage of various scenes and movies the scream is featured in at Youtube. Here’s a sampling; Star Wars, Willow, The Empire Strikes Back, Raiders of the Lost Ark, Gremlins, Spaceballs, Lethal Weapon 4, Batman Returns, Resevoir Dogs, Toy Story, Wallace & Gromit, and most recently, Superman Returns. Where have you heard the Wilhelm Scream? Take a look at this list if you need a hint.