So I just learn that the classic jungle "monkey" sound effect - used in Tarzan films and in countless films since - is not a monkey at all, nor is it native to Africa.
It is an Australian bird called a Kookaburra. Live and learn.
I don't think anybody thought it was supposed to be a monkey.....
I dunno, that's how it was often described through the decades. It is certainly within the vocal range of some South American monkeys, in terms of pitch and volume.
It's incredible that this is not more well-known, isn't it? This is probably one of the most-used sound effects of all time, not just in film, but also on LPs. Everyone just assumes that it is an African jungle sound, but it is from Australia!
The only reason I knew this was because I majored in Anthropology in college with an emphasis on Primatology and Hominid Evolution. Otherwise, I would have been completely fooled!
It's incredible that this is not more well-known, isn't it? This is probably one of the most-used sound effects of all time, not just in film, but also on LPs. Everyone just assumes that it is an African jungle sound, but it is from Australia!
What's incredible is anyone thinking this has any bearing on soundtrack music. And that because they didn't know about it, the rest of the world must be equally ignorant. But that's okay. We understand.
I've never thought it was supposed to be a monkey even when I watched these films as a child, nor have I have ever heard or read about it described as a "monkey cry" and it was never matched to on screen monkeys. I always assumed it was a bird. I've known for at least 40 years it was Kookaburra and native to Australia. It's used in just about every "jungle" film including South Seas, South America, Asia, etc. and in many with no monkeys at all.
I've never thought it was supposed to be a monkey even when I watched these films as a child, nor have I have ever heard or read about it described as a "monkey cry" and it was never matched to on screen monkeys. I always assumed it was a bird. I've known for at least 40 years it was Kookaburra and native to Australia. It's used in just about every "jungle" film including South Seas, South America, Asia, etc. and in many with no monkeys at all.
Color me impressed! You learned this 40 years before I did!
"One of the Stock Sound Effects that pop up whenever films, cartoons or TV series depict a jungle environment with a Noisy Nature is the cackling laugh of the kookaburra, which sounds something like: "OOOOOO-HOOO-OOO-HOO-HOO-AHAHAHAHA" and is often assumed to be a monkey by people unfamiliar with the bird. It doesn't help much that we typically hear the sound without actually seeing the animal making it, thus adding to the confusion."
