Voice actor Cy Kendall based his performance on animator Tex Avery's voice. It was so good that, years later, Avery became convinced that he had done the voiceover.
"Meatless Tuesday" began In World War I. US President Woodrow Wilson issued a proclamation calling for every Tuesday to be meatless and for one meatless meal to be observed every day, for a total of nine meatless meals each week. The United States Food Administration urged families to reduce consumption of key staples to help the war effort and avoid rationing. The campaign returned with the onset of World War II, calling upon women on the home front to play a role in supporting the war effort. During this time, meat was being rationed, along with other commodities like sugar, butter and gasoline.
When the spider is falling after the fly gives him a hotfoot, the spider says, "Look, I'm a Zero... I'm a Zero." The term Zero refers to a Japanese fighter airplane used very effectively in World War II.
In addition to being called a poor man's Bugs Bunny by the spider, the fly also performs one of what would become Bugs' signature moves---he kisses his opponent.
In parts of West Africa, the character of Anansi the spider features in many folk tales. He's portrayed as a clever trickster with a sense of humor, and has been likened to none other than Bugs Bunny by some who grew up on his adventures.