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Both the novel "A Clockwork Orange," by Anthony Burgess, and the film by Stanley Kubrick, are among the best in their respective mediums. One need only look at the numerous references to the novel/film on the delightful, long running animated comedy "The Simpsons" to understand its position in our culture. Due to the novel being made into a film in 1971, the film is obviously the frame of reference since more people watch movies than read. Tsk tsk.

There are a few examples throughout the Fox series of tributes to this little story. In the "Dog of Death" episode, the Simpsons' dog Santa's Little Helper undergoes the Ludovico Technique courtesy of Mr. Burns and Smithers. In "Homer the Smithers," as Burns is in bed in a body cast, he chews loudly in the same manner that Alex does in the film. The latter of these is a bit of a stretch, but the basis elements are there.

Bart is even portrayed as the Alex character in a few episodes. He dresses as Alex for Halloween in "Treehouse of Horror III," and in "A Streetcar Named Marge," Bart states "I have a pain in me gulliver," in much the same way Alex says in the novel and film.

Two of the best American films of the nineties pay subtle homage to the film. Quentin Tarantino has said that the torture scene set to the song "Stuck in the Middle With You" in his film "Reservoir Dogs" was a reference to the scene in "Clockwork" in which Alex is kicking the writer in preparation to rape his wife, all the while singing the song "Singin' in the Rain." And in the Academy Award-nominated Coen Brothers film "Fargo," Carl, played by Steve Buscemi, says he's in town for, "a little of the ol' in-and-out," a favorite phrase of Alex's.

My personal favorite is from the comedy team of Otto and George, as in comedian Otto Peterson and his ventriloquist dummy George. Otto sells a T-shirt that's a parody of the "A Clockwork Orange" poster, the one with the giant "A" with Alex inside it holding a knife, and there's a big, round eyeball. Underneath the "A" it says "Stanley Kubrick's," and then in fancy, orange letters, "Clockwork Orange."

The Otto and George version features George the puppet, dressed up to look like Alex, holding a knife, with Otto's head in place of the eyeball. Rather than "Stanley's Kubrick's Clockwork Orange," it then says, "Otto & George's A C*ckwork Orange."

Then there are two bars, one in New York City, the other in Melbourne, Australia, each named The Korova Milk Bar, which is the bar Alex and his droogies hang out in the novel and film. Both places features dcor like that of the bar in the film, as well as dairy themed beverages.

Lastly, there may also be a film rated with an X or two or three that parodies the film.

So, it's no wonder anyone would make a point to reference "A Clockwork Orange" in their little bit of art. It's pure genius, and if you've never seen or read it, I don't know what to say to you.

Learn more about this author, Michael Frissore.
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