The Hardship of Miles Standish

The Hardship of Miles Standish is a 1940 Merrie Melodies cartoon directed by Friz Freleng. The short was released on April 27, 1940, and features Elmer Fudd.^[1]

The Hardship of Miles Standish
Directed by	I. Freleng
Story by	Jack Miller
Produced by	Leon Schlesinger
Music by	Carl W. Stalling
Animation by	Gil Turner
Color process	Technicolor
Production company	Warner Bros. Cartoons
Distributed by	Warner Bros.
Release date	April 27, 1940 (1940-04-27)
Running time	8:40 (one reel)
Language	English

The title is derived from the narrative poem The Courtship of Miles Standish.

Plot

Elmer Fudd is messenger John Alden, sent to give Miles's love letter to Priscilla. While delivering the message, however, her house is attacked by Indians, and John is the only one who can save her.

Home media

• VHS - Elmer Fudd Cartoon Festival Featuring "An Itch in Time"
• Laserdisc - The Golden Age of Looney Tunes: Volume 2, Side 9

Notes

• The Miles Standish character is a caricature of comic actor Hugh Herbert and the Priscilla character is a caricature of actress Edna May Oliver.^[2] The short features the voice of Arthur Q. Bryan as Elmer, who also performs the song "You Must Have Been a Beautiful Baby".
• The prints of The Hardship of Miles Standish on The Golden Age of Looney Tunes LaserDisc had the 1940 ending card replaced with the 1947-48 Merrie Melodies ending card for reasons unknown. Hence no print with the original ending card has ever been released on home video.