We’ve all seen them, either for real or as bad parodies. I’m talking about those pseudo-documentaries you see about idyllic 50’s living. They have that oddly saccharine soundtrack with no real hook or melody. If I knew how, I would compose music like that for a living. 
But who came up with this style? I know traditional heavy film scores, based on that leitmotivic feel, borrow on Richard Wagner et. al. Who came up with this type of music? The closest I can find on my Ipod is Eric Coates, but as a twenty-something here, I concede that I may need to call on the wisdom of my elders to figure this one out!