Lucy's grocery bag has a roll of Gala II Paper Towels sticking out of it. Gala was a popular brand of paper towel advertised on TV with commercials by Tennessee Ernie Ford, who was a frequent guest star on the "Lucy" shows.
When Harry is forced to wear a clerical collar to work after dealing with Mr. Fong's laundry, Harry dubs him a "starch-happy Charlie Chan." Keye Luke (Mr. Fong) played Charlie Chan's son in several movies of the 1930s and later took on the role of Chan himself.
Sam (Larry J. Blake), who claims he saved Mr. Fong from drowning, cites an earthquake during the first week of February as a manifestation of the curse. In real-life, on February 9, 1971 a 6.7 earthquake caused extensive damage from the San Fernanado Valley to Los Angeles.