Harry Manfredini

Composer Harry Manfredini is most notable for his pivotal score work in the "Friday the 13th" film franchise--and stuck largely to the horror genre throughout his career. It was in the first "Friday the 13th" film that Manfredini created his hauntingly menacing "killer theme," which was meant to represent the killer in absentia (similar to the way the "Jaws" score was used). The most distinctive part of this piece, however, was the sound "ki ki ki, ma ma ma" which Manfredini personally recorded and ran through an echo reverberation machine for effect, overlaying the last part of the piece. This suspense-inducing sound has become inextricably linked with the entire slasher series; the theme was used repeatedly as the franchise spawned countless sequels. Though Manfredini worked on several Wes Craven projects throughout the years, he scored a number other thriller and horror films, such as the cult classic "Slaughter High." Unfortunately, on that project Manfredini's work was overshadowed by both the suicide of the actor who played the killer and the mysterious rock song used in the beginning credits (not written or chosen by Manfredini). Though Manfredini is most associated with the horror and thriller genres, he has occasionally worked on comedy and adventure films, especially in the 1980s--but none were particularly successful, critically, or financially.