The Wilhelm Scream is a distinctive sound effect first recorded for the 1951 movie 'Distant Drums' during a scene where a man is dragged underwater by an alligator. It gained legendary status when sound designer Ben Burtt rediscovered it and used it in 'Star Wars,' subsequently turning it into an industry-wide 'inside joke' included in hundreds of films, from 'Indiana Jones' to 'Toy Story.' In internet culture, the Wilhelm Scream represents the quintessential over-the-top reaction to a minor or sudden catastrophe. It is frequently used to mock dramatic falls, slapstick accidents, or any situation where a high-pitched, theatrical yelp is the only appropriate response.