This episode contains several references to the life and career of James Stewart, who was originally scheduled to play the role of Johnny Cooper. (Stewart reportedly took ill at the last minute and was replaced by Andrew Duggan.) Johnny Cooper is a former World War II bomber pilot, a recipient of the Distinguished Flying Cross, and a retired Air Force Brigadier General - all of which were also true of Stewart. In addition, in a scene in which Johnny takes Steele's secretary Mildred Krebs to a movie, two posters outside the theater advertise the 1983 reissue of Stewart's movie The Man Who Knew Too Much (1956).
Mr Steele mentions a movie called "Going in Style". One of the stars of that film was Lee Strasberg whose daughter, Susan, guest stars in this episode.
The role played by Andrew Duggan in this episode was to have been originally played by James Stewart. For some reason, he had to decline, and Duggan got the part
Andrew Duggan's character leaves Venice Beach wearing a white dinner jacket but is wearing a black tuxedo when Laura and *Mr. Steele* catch up to him at the card game.