The Wilhelm Scream

In space, nobody can hear that you're recycling the same scream

Are you familiar with The Wilhelm Scream? It is a sound effect (originally cataloged as "man getting bit by an alligator, and he screamed" from 1951's Distant Drums) that has been recycled dozens or hundreds of times in film history. Take a look (and listen):

Star Wars sound designer Ben Burtt is credited with reviving the Wilhelm Scream from obscurity, including it in nearly every Lucas film. Now, in the way that pop culture slowly turns on itself, the Wilhelm Scream has taken on a life of its own, with countless easter eggs hidden throughout all forms of media.

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