That Famous Canned Movie Scream...

nobody · June 18, 2005, 12:42:05 AM

Is everyone here totally sick of that famous, insanely overused canned movie scream yet? I'm talking about the one that only lasts for a few seconds and sounds like a man screaming in intense pain.

I don't have a link to the sound wav, and I obviously can't type the sound to you effectively...

"EEEEEEEEAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHH!!!!"

...but I'm sure you all know exactly what I'm talking about. If not, it's latest use is in the new "Land of the Dead" TV spot. The next time you see that playing on TV you can get a good, healthy reminder of what I'm referring to.

That scream, because it's so desperately in need of retirement, makes every movie it appears in a complete joke. If George Romero is such a great horror movie director he should realize how hoaky its become. At what point do you think movie makers will finally stop using it, if ever?

...or am I the only one who has a problem with it?

Ash · June 18, 2005, 12:54:56 AM

I know which scream you're talking about.
I agree, it does make any movie it's in a joke.

I'll try to find a clip of it online.

Ozzymandias · June 18, 2005, 01:16:42 AM

The Wilhelm Scream. It is believed to be actor/singer Sheb Wooley. George Lucus and a few others like to use it as a joke. To me, it reminds me of Eddie Murphy's immitation of Lee Harvey Oswald's scream when he was shot (OOOOWWWW-OOOOOOOCH!).

There is also a woman's scream that is on a lot of sound effects records and in movies that is a half scream/half cry. It is the only scream we have at the radio station I work at and one of our advertisers has over used it in his commercials. I now called the "Robbinett Buisness Systems scream."

Of all those I like that Disney "killer catfight" they had it on that old Disney Halloween record.

Ash · June 18, 2005, 01:25:38 AM

Man, I've searched through two websites full of sound effects and I found a few that sounded close but couldn't find it.

HERE IS A LIST of websites to look through.

Use the search term: "scream man" within each site and it'll bring up all the scream sound clips of men screaming in different ways.

Let us know if you find it.

Post Edited (06-18-05 01:27)

nobody · June 18, 2005, 01:42:23 AM

If you look up "The Wilhelm Scream" on Wikipedia you can listen to a sound clip. That's a famous scream that needs to be retired, that's for sure... but it's not the scream I'm talking about. The one I'm talking about is much, much more intense. I'm really surprised I can't find it anywhere online. The net is usually a wealth of garbage like this...

Ash · June 18, 2005, 02:06:11 AM

Actually, that's not the scream I was thinking of but I do remember the one you are referring to though.

The one I was thinking of is used frequently in movies and sounds like a guy falling to his death.

2xSlick · June 19, 2005, 10:53:08 PM

Yeah, the WIlhelm scream is the sound Storm Troopers make when shot. The original poster is refering to the sound one of the badies makes falling into the Sarlac (sp? pit). It's also been used in every Cowboy movie where someone is shot and falls to his death.

*Edit* Okay, I believe it is the Wilhelm scream. I found a website that said their were 6 different versions. Here is a link that talks about the Wilhelm in detail. Look at the bottom of the page for a 48mb file full of over a dozen film clips with this sound. Also like to add that it was pretty damn funny going through about 50 different "male scream fall" searches and listening to the results.
http://www.theforce.net/latestnews/story/The_Wilhelm_Scream_77600.asp

Post Edited (06-20-05 10:34)

Ed, Ego and Superego · June 21, 2005, 10:38:02 PM

Here is a list of some pretty good sound cliches. The "scream" is listed in there. Not the falling one though.
http://www.filmsound.org/cliche/
Ed

Dunners · June 21, 2005, 11:39:08 PM

Are you an idiot or a jackass nobody?
Neither Romero or any other directors ever really have a hand in making a tv spot. Thats someone elses job thats supervised by a suit or a coouple of suits that are paid to advertise the film.

While I dont like the scream either, there is no reason for you to blame Romero for this. If you want to blame anyone blame your own gullibility for not being able to recognize who does what in the film industry.

Sorry to rant here but I've heard too many topics like this posted on forums and its just driving me insane.

Brother Ragnarok · June 22, 2005, 12:41:11 AM

Similar sound effects that bother me: The canned "fwaahfwoosh!" used for EVERY f**kING FIRE EVER. The canned "bzzrrtbzzrrttbzzrrt" every time electricity arcs.
And Miguel Ferrer's tires squealing as he burns out on THE LAWN in "Night Flier." Yes, I know that's not an overused canned effect, but it still bugs the crap out of me.

Jim H · June 22, 2005, 01:18:46 AM

I know exactly the one you're talking about. Fox uses it when they overdub sound effects for some dumbass reason. I'd guess Land of the Dead doesn't actually have it, just the commercial.

Scott · June 22, 2005, 07:55:28 AM

I'm running down to the grocery to get some canned laughter. It's on my list of things to do.

2xSlick · June 23, 2005, 11:09:34 AM

Ugh, just thought of an even worse canned scream. At least the Wilhelm screams sound hilarious. How about that horrible woman's shriek. The one that doesn't even sound human and is really a half shriek followed by a nice long one? I'll look for sound clips.

BoyScoutKevin · June 24, 2005, 02:36:56 PM

Thank-you for the list, Ed. My favorite sound cliche is the one under "Knife." "When a character pulls out a knife, even from his pants, you [almost always] hear a sound of metal brushing metal." Except, for me, it is when a character pulls his sword from the scabbard, even if the scabbard is made out of leather or something besides metal.

Lee · June 26, 2005, 09:46:07 PM

I love stock sound effects. I think my favorite is the punch to the face. That's classic. :)