I recall seeing a Looney Tunes toon from the 40’s where Bugs is working in a night club. As with many of the toons from this era, movie stars of the day are featured in a humorous way. In this particular one, Ray Milland is seen ordering a drink at the bar. The bartender presents the drink and Ray pushes a small cash register at the bartender who then gives Ray back several smaller registers. Ray pushes them back and tells the bartender to keep them (as a tip). What is the origin of this?
I’d imagine the Ray Milland reference comes from his movie “Lost Weekend”
As for the cash registers, ya got me, pal.
It’s not a cash register, it’s an antique device called a typewriter, that was used to write on in olden times. In The Lost Weekend, Milland plays a writer who goes on a big-time bender. The low point in his “degradation” (it’s a moralistic movie) is when he pawns his typewriter for money for the demon rum. Giving back little typewriters as change is a cute touch in the cartoon.
My question is, in that cartoon (I think, maybe it’s in a similar one), Gregory Peck is served a steak, and takes out a straight razor, strops it, and cuts the steak with it. What’s that a reference to? JDM
it wasn’t a cash register - Milland was an alcholic writer trying to pawn his typewriter in order to buy booze, but had no luck because it was a Jewish holiday and all the pawn shops were closed.
Thanks for the info! I knew you guys would know the answer.
Gregory Peck, 1945, Spellbound. razor
The Lost Weekend is also 1945 I think.
Thanks samclem,
JDM