There are several references to popular comedian Red Skelton, including his catchphrases "I dood it!" and "Let's not get nosy, Bub!", as well as the "red skeleton" gag (even imitating Skelton's voice). Skelton had many familiar catchphrases from the several characters he'd portray on his 1940s radio show. "I dood it!" is one of several catchphrases associated with Junior, Skelton's "Mean Widdle Kid" character.
The spooky cuckoo clock (a BooooLova) is a pun on the well-known clock and watch manufacturer, Bulova. The cuckoo bird gives the line from what was then known as the speaking clock, which patrons dialed to learn the correct time.
The cartoon is a direct spoof of MGM's short-subject series "Crime Does Not Pay" that ran from 1935 to 1947, right down to an introduction by an actor pretending to be a law enforcement actor who reminds us that "crime does not pay."
The detective is modeled on veteran character actor Fred Kelsey, who specialized in playing dumb or naïve but persistent detectives, and who almost always wore a derby.
The use of an organ instead of a traditional orchestral score is designed to emulate the radio mysteries that the cartoon is spoofing.
Contribute to this page
Suggest an edit or add missing content
