The three note danger idiom
There is a three note idiom that has appeared in SEVERAL theatrical releases (comedies) recently that indicates danger. I do not know the notes, but it goes "dum dum DUM", and the viewer knows instantly that the scene (or character) is dangerous. There are even sound effect videos of this idiom on YouTube, but they are very short on its etymology. Again, was this composed? Does somebody own rights to this idiom? If not, how did it enter popular culture?
A sample, accompanied by rich viewer commentary, is at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bW7Op86ox9g
Best Answer
It's actually called: "Shock Horror".
It has been credited to Dick Walter: http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0910011
I stated in a comment that it had been used during wartime (BBC/ABC/NBC) as a danger signal, much as the first couple of bars of Beethoven 5th "(morse code) V for victory" music however this was mistaken.
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