The design of the tanks in front of the cabaret entrance is inspired by a vintage Star Wars toy: the MTV-7, originally released by Kenner in 1983.

As Studio La Cachette is a French animation house, this short's tale of occupation and resistance was inspired by Paris' experience during WWII.

Loi'e is based on real-life figures of the French resistance in WWII including dancer Josephine Baker, who used her celebrity as a means to travel and deliver important communications.

The score for "The Spy Dancer" was completed before final animation. This allowed certain actions and moments in the short to be animated to specific musical queues and motifs.

French architecture also influenced the look of "The Spy Dancer," as the producers wanted the audience to feel like they were entering a French cabaret.