Harry Manfredini

Harry Manfredini is an American film score composer born in Chicago, Illinois on August 25th, 1943. He is best known for his recognizable work on the Friday the 13th franchise. Manfredini was responsible for creating the signature "ki-ki-ki ma-ma-ma" that has been imitated by Friday fans for more than thirty years. This trademark staccato sound was derived from a line of dialogue spoken by actress Betsy Palmer as the psychotic Pamela Voorhees in the first Friday the 13th. Channeling the spirit of her allegedly deceased son Jason, Palmer's character intones, "Kill her, mommy. Kill her." Manfredini, seeking to create an ominous overture to the film, took the "Ki" from "Kill her..." and "Ma" from "Mommy" and spoke the words into a microphone, using a mild distortion effect.

In addition to his work on Friday the 13th Manfredini provided musical scores for dozens of other genre films, many of which, are vehicles of his old friend, producer/director Sean S. Cunningham.

Notes & Trivia

 * appeared as a commentator on the His Name Was Jason: 30 Years of Friday the 13th documentary.