The exotic Latin American dance type scene was typical of the era's love for Latin inspired music.
Body building while at the beach was becoming a new pastime, though still somewhat skeptically received by Americans. The opening silly sequence of bodybuilding cats is likely a nod to this.
Tom's lovely companion wears the popular one piece bandeau design swimsuit of the day. It was popular with celebrities and often seen in publicity shots. The bikini's heydey was still a few years in the future.
The gag of Tom scaring off the crab is a humorous wink at the 1947 short "Salt Water Tabby," which featured a combative crustacean.