McCay took the idea for the film from a June 5, 1909, episode of his comic strip Dream of the Rarebit Fiend, in which a mosquito (without top hat or briefcase) gorges itself on an alcoholic until it becomes so bloated and drunk that it cannot fly away.
McCay tomou a idea para o filme dun episodio do 5 de xuño de 1909 da súa tira cómica Dream of the Rarebit Fiend, no que un mosquito (sen sombreiro ou maletín) se enche chuchándolle o sangue a un alcohólico ata acabar cheo e borracho ata o punto de non poder voar.