The Hardship of Miles Standish is an American animated cartoon short in the Merrie Melodies series, directed by Friz Freleng for Warner Bros. Cartoons. It was originally released to theaters by Warner Bros. on April 27, 1940.[1] The Jack Miller story is a comic retelling of the narrative poem The Courtship of Miles Standish and features Elmer Fudd as John Alden. 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.
Elmer Fudd is messenger John Alden, sent to give Miles' love letter to Pricilla. While delivering the message, however, her house is attacked by Indians, and John is the only one who can save her.
Laserdisc - The Golden Age of Looney Tunes Volume 2 (side 9 - unrestored)
VHS - Elmer Fudd Cartoon Festival Featuring "An Itch in Time" (unrestored)
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The prints of "The Hardship of Miles Standish" on The Golden Age of Looney Tunes LaserDiscs had the 1940 red, white, and blue rings with a black background 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.
↑ (1989) Looney Tunes and Merrie Melodies: A Complete Illustrated Guide to the Warner Bros. Cartoons. New York, NY: Henry Holt and Company, page 102. ISBN 0-8050-0894-2.