'Berlin Betty' is based on "Axis Sally", a generic nickname given to women radio personalities, such as German-American Mildred Gillars (convicted of treason) and Italian-American Rita Zucca, who would broadcast English-language propaganda on behalf of the WWII European Axis Powers. Their messages, even though found to be 'laughable' by Allied soldiers, would highlight the value of surrender, encourage fears that soldiers' wives and girlfriends were cheating on them, and indicate that the Axis powers knew their locations.
Newkirk mentions Erich von Stroheim after Klink demonstrates his radio voice: "I haven't heard
a voice like that since Eric von Stroheim." Erich von Stroheim was an actor and director during the silent movies of the 1920s.