Peoria's connection to a legendary comedy duo and this cult-favorite television show

Ask Dean is a Journal Star column focusing on all things Peoria: its history, mysteries, quirks and culture .

Question: I was recently rewatching " The X-Files " and saw this interesting tidbit in the background of the episode where an old-time movie was playing and the characters mentioned they needed to get back to Peoria. I did some digging and found it was from an old Laurel and Hardy movie. Thought it might be interesting to get some more information on that. — Alicia Heft

Answer: As Alicia wrote in a followup email, the "X-Files" TV episode was titled " Clyde Bruckman's Final Repose " and the Laurel and Hardy movie was " The Bullfighters ." She added, "I doubt any of the film was actually shot here."

The scene in question is a brief but memorable special effect, with the comedy duo reduced to skeletons with heads still intact. Considering its era, it is rather impressive.

'The X-Files' TV show

The 1995 "X-Files" episode concerns a "grumpy old man" with psychic powers that let him see how people will die. He notably dreams about his own body disintegrating. FBI agents Scully and Mulder enlist his help in a hunt for a crazed killer. Near the end of the episode, the Laurel and Hardy clip appears.

Many character names used in the episode refer to real figures from the silent film era, which included early Laurel and Hardy shorts. Which leads to:

The Laurel and Hardy movie

"The Bullfighters," released in 1945, is reportedly the second-to-last feature film starring the legendary comedy duo and the last to be released in the United States.

The movie, of course, includes the catchphrase "Well, here's another nice mess you've gotten me into," delivered from Oliver Hardy to Stan Laurel. But that arrives later.

In the movie, Peoria private detectives Laurel and Hardy, seeking to apprehend a notorious female criminal, travel to Mexico City. There, a sports promoter is excited about an upcoming bullfight until he sees a picture of the Spanish matador, who looks just like Laurel. "This guy's from Peoria, Illinois!" the promoter exclaims, pronouncing the state as "Illinoise." The film flashes back to a "Peoria" courtroom, where Laurel once testified against the promoter, who is wrongfully convicted and vows revenge. When the detectives learn the promoter has promised to "skin them alive," Laurel says, "I don't want to walk around in my bones."

When the bullfighter's arrival is delayed, Laurel is coerced into impersonating the matador, convincing both the public and the promoter. After several pre-fight toasts, a drunken Laurel prepares to enter the ring. "Skin 'em alive," he mocks the promoter's threat.

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Meanwhile, the rather paunchy real matador finally arrives, and bullfights begin, with the toreador apparently victorious.

Nevertheless, a confused Hardy encourages the drunken Laurel to "get back in that ring." The promoter finally recognizes Laurel as not the bullfighter but as one of the detectives who put him away. Suspecting a scam, he yells, "Turn the bulls loose!"

Chaos ensues. People — and bulls — pour onto the field. Laurel is terrified. Hardy is panicked. "Come on, let's get out of here," the latter yells. To effect their escape, the two dress as women. Convinced they've given the promoter the slip, they then plan their escape from Mexico.

But the vengeful promoter awaits them, hiding in their hotel room's closet. Enacting his vow to skin them alive, he tells Laurel and Hardy at knifepoint to "take your clothes off." The movie then cuts to the iconic skeletal scene.

Hardy utters his catchphrase, and adds, "Come on, let's get back to Peoria, where we belong," and the two, skinned alive, walk around — and off — in their bones.

Was the movie shot in Peoria?

Likely not, as much as we may want to believe. The script makes multiple references to the city, but the only ostensible "Peoria" footage is the generic courtroom scene.

Related: (Screen) playing in Peoria: 7 movies that were set or filmed in the River City

So, why all the Peoria mentions?

One webpage review of the film suggests that, "There seems to be a belief that 'Peoria' is an inherently funny name as it is incessantly referenced."

Peoria also had a storied history in vaudeville , where both Laurel and Hardy performed. Though officially uncredited, Laurel reportedly co-directed and co-wrote portions of "The Bullfighters." He likely was aware of the use of "Peoria" as both a metaphor — for good or for bad — and as a punchline.

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Whether it's a person, place or product, send your "Whatever happened to ...?" and "Wasn't there a ...?" questions, comments and suggestions to dmuellerleile@pjstar.com. Please put ASK DEAN in the subject line.

This article originally appeared on Journal Star: Peoria's connection to a legendary comedy duo and this cult-favorite television show