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Q. "The Return of the Jedi" features two versions of the Wilhelm Scream. One is the standard version heard in all of the "Star Wars" films (which occurs I think during the battle on Jabba's sail barge). The second one is a live performance of the scream done by Ben Burtt in person, in a cameo role, Burtt being the sound man who "discovered" the Wilhelm scream.
This scene takes place after Harrison Ford, the Princess and Chewie take over the Empire's base on the forest planet. Burtt appears dressed as an imperial officer and tells Han to freeze. Han chucks a box at him, knocking him over a ledge and presumably to his death, at which time he performs a hilarious Wilhelm rendition.
Pat Hines, Boston
A. I was going to retire the Wilhelm Scream as a topic after last week's Answer Man, but didn't want to deprive readers of the sight of the man who sent it screaming through more than 175 movies. A compilation of screams is on YouTube.com: