Slashdot linked a story from NPR's "On the Media" about the "Wilhelm Scream" a sound effect that has appeared in dozens of movies and has a cult following among sound editors. The sound effect is still being used and heard by millions while the anonymous actor who originally created it has probably long since passed away. "The Wilhelm" (transcript with sound)
Harlan Ellison wrote about an eerily similar laugh in "Laugh Track" from the Angry Candy anthology. If you haven't read the book, please do so immediately. I'll wait.
Posted by bill at December 23, 2003 01:19 PM