A trope that is little-used these days without actually being discredited, this could be found occasionally on Dom Coms up until the early 1970s, particularly those with child characters. A cook is attempting to bake a souffle for a fancy party or important dinner. Unfortunately, they must do so under riotous circumstances, with a consequent paranoia about the souffle collapsing. Naturally, some event -- rambunctious children or a slamming door or a car backfiring -- does indeed make the souffle fall, thus "spoiling" the event. See also Carrying a Cake. Examples of Endangered Souffle include: