Throwback Thursday Trivia: Wilhelm Scream

In case you missed the first Throwback Thursday Trivia, click here to find out about MGM's iconic mascot.

This week, Ticket Stub looks at one of the most used sound effects in the film and television industry: 

the Wilhelm Scream.

You've probably heard it a gazillion times but never realised there is a name for it or that it even exists. Here is a compilation of examples where the Wilhelm Scream is used - often with someone falling, being shot or thrown from an explosion.

How did this sound effect become so commonplace in film-making?

First used in the 1951 film, Distant Drums, the sound effect was recorded for a scene where a man gets bitten by an alligator. However, it is most famously used in a different film: The Charge at Feather River (1953). (See first clip in the compilation video above.) The name of the character who gets struck in the leg by an arrow is Private Wilhelm. The name stuck and the effect was used repeatedly in subsequent Warner Bros. films.

Nowadays, the Wilhelm Scream is widely recognised by film fanatics due to its extensive use in the Star Wars and Indiana Jones series. Sound designer Ben Burrt rediscovered the stock sound effect and incorporated it into these big film franchises. Since then, many films have referenced the Wilhelm Scream and is often seen as an in-joke for filmmakers. 

So next time you're at the movies, keep your ears out for one of the most iconic sounds in cinema!

To find out more, check out this video on the history of the Wilhelm Scream:

Top Ten Halloween Horrors

Time to dig out the fancy dress, carve those Jack O'Lanterns and put on a classic scary movie. If you haven't guessed already, today is Halloween!

Although I am not the biggest fan of scary movies, I have picked out my Top Ten Halloween Horrors which you should definitely check out...

1. Psycho (1960)

Alfred Hitchcock at his best. Norman Bates is certainly creepy as hell and we all know about that infamous shower scene with Bernard Herrmann's piercing strings.

2. The Exorcist (1973) 

This film which sees a 12 year old girl possessed by the devil caused extreme reactions with audiences across the world. Reports of fainting and vomiting dominated news stories. Although we can laugh at the hype now, the film has become a classic. A great highlight is the soundtrack of the Tubular Bells by Mike Oldfield.

3. Ghostbusters (1984)

A bit more light-hearted than the previous two, Ghostbusters is a comedy about three professors who go into business as ghost removers. The film stars Bill Murray, Dan Aykroyd, Harold Amis and Sigourney Weaver as the ghosts start to take over New York. Come on, you all know the song....

Who ya gonna call? 

4. 28 Days Later (2002)

Danny Boyle directs this zombie horror starring Cillian Murphy. One of the best scenes is as Murphy's character, Jim, walks through the empty streets of London after waking up from a coma. The whole city has been deserted due to an epidemic, and it is about to get a whole lot worse.

5. The Nightmare Before Christmas (1993)

You may think I have picked the wrong holiday with Christmas being in the title. But the majority of the film takes place in Halloweentown - full of monsters, vampires and the king of Halloweentown, Jack Skellington. Check out the opening song 'This is Halloween':

6. The Wicker Man (1973)

Featured as Ticket Stub's Sunday Classic back in September, The Wicker Man is a British horror set on strange island of Summerisle. Follow the link to my post to find out more.

7. The Rocky Horror Picture Show (1975)

Let's do the Time Warp again! Rocky Horror has become cult classic since the seventies and you'll find many people dressing up as the characters at Halloween or at the sing-a-long nights they have in theatres in the UK. The film is a fantastic mix of musical comedy which tributes to the old low budget horror movies of the past.

8. The Corpse Bride (2005)

Another Halloween-esque Tim Burton creation, The Corpse Bride tells the story of Victor who, whilst practicing his wedding vows, accidentally becomes married to a zombie bride. Of course, being Tim Burton, the film stars Johnny Depp and Helena Bonham Carter.

9. Silence of the Lambs (1991)

We're coming to the last two films on the list, and the two I find most scary. The first is Silence of the Lambs starring Jodie Foster and Anthony Hopkins. A crime horror with one of the most tense climactic scenes ever. A must see for any horror fan.

10. The Shining (1980)

Jack Nicholson stars in the Stephen King adaptation, directed by Stanley Kubrick. A psychological horror, the film sees Jack Torrence take a job as a caretaker at a hotel during its off-season. His wife and son also take residence in the hotel but over time things develop and Jack becomes mad and murderous.

What are your favourite horror films?

Tweet @TicketStubBlog with your suggestions

Sunday Classics: The Wicker Man (1973)

Image: guardian.com

Keeping up with the horror theme from Trailer Tuesday and yesterday’s Quote of the Day, 

this week’s Sunday Classic is The Wicker Man.

I've also chosen this film to coincide with Friday’s re-release of The Wicker Man – The Final Cut. The 1973 film has been restored with an extended final cut for cinemagoers to enjoy. There have been numerous ‘cuts’ released of The Wicker Man but this one conveniently marks the picture’s 40^th anniversary.

The film is set in rural Scotland on the remote island of Summerisle. Sgt. Neil Howie (Edward Woodward) is investigating the disappearance of a young girl from the island. However, he soon discovers that the people of Summerisle are all devout practicing Pagans with a rather unusual way of life. As Howie tries to solve the mystery, he soon fears for his own life on the island owned by Lord Summerisle (Christopher Lee).

Robin Hardy’s movie is definitely one of the top mystery horrors to see, if not, at least for the final scene which I shall not give away. It is a strange and surreal tale which has become a cult classic over the years. If you have not seen it, take the opportunity to watch The Wicker Man on the big screen at your local cinema.

Image: guardian.com