Boris Badenov introduces himself as J. Robert Oppendowner, a spoof of physicist J. Robert Oppenheimer, famous for developing the first atomic bomb as part of the "Manhattan Project" during World War II.
After the telegram boy delivers a message to Captain Peachfuzz ("Call for Captain Peachfuzz!"), Bullwinkle asks if he was "the little feller that used to step out of thousands of store windows and counters all over the country". This is a reference to Johnny Roventini, the bellboy mascot for Philip Morris cigarettes in a long-running advertising campaign. Roventini, a little person with a distinctive vocal delivery, appeared in "Call for Philip Morris" ads on radio, on television, and in print from 1934 to the early 1970s, including appearances on I Love Lucy (1951) (a show sponsored by Philip Morris). On Philip Morris-sponsored radio programs, Roventini would be introduced with lines like, "Here comes Johnny now, stepping out of thousands of store windows and counters all over the country to greet you."