72-Year-Old Western’s Hidden Connection to ‘Star Wars’ 

When discussing iconic sounds in cinema, there’s a vast array to choose from, like the suspenseful score of ‘Jaws’, the distinct ‘Star Wars’ lightsaber whoosh, or the eerie laughter of the Joker in ‘The Dark Knight’. Yet, among these memorable sounds, one has become a staple across countless films: the Wilhelm Scream.

If you’ve watched any major movie franchise over the past seventy years, you’ve likely heard the Wilhelm Scream, even if you didn’t notice it. Originally recorded at Warner Bros. in the early 1950s, this sound effect has become a beloved inside joke among sound designers. The Wilhelm Scream is a somewhat exaggerated cry of pain typically used when a character is shot, falls, or is thrown by an explosion.

Image Courtesy: People

The scream made its debut in the 1951 film ‘Distant Drums’, a war movie where a character is dragged underwater by an alligator and lets out the now-famous scream. The sound was labeled as “Man getting bit by an alligator, and he screams.” 

Out of several takes, one stood out and became the Wilhelm Scream. While the exact actor behind the scream remains uncertain, many believe it was Sheb Wooley, a bit actor known for roles in Westerns like ‘High Noon’ and the novelty song ‘The Purple People Eater.’ Although Wooley passed away before confirming his role, sound designer Ben Burtt uncovered evidence linking him to the scream during his research.

Image Courtesy: Forbes

The Wilhelm Scream gained notoriety when Burtt used it in ‘Star Wars’, where a Stormtrooper is shot and falls. This sparked a tradition among sound designers, who began inserting the scream into numerous films, making it a rite of passage. Today, the Wilhelm Scream is a hidden gem in movies, TV shows, video games, and beyond, originating from a little-known Western but echoing throughout cinematic history.

–Farheen Ali