| A Feud There Was | |
|---|---|
| Directed by | Tex Avery |
| Produced by | Leon Schlesinger |
| Written by | Melvin Millar |
| Starring | Mel Blanc Billy Bletcher Hugh Farr Bob Nolan |
| Music by | Carl W. Stalling |
| Editing by | Treg Brown |
| Release date(s) | September 24, 1938 |
| Running time | 8 minutes |
| Country | United States |
| Language | English |
A Feud There Was was a 1938 Warner Bros. cartoon short in the Merrie Melodies series, directed by Tex Avery and written by Melvin Millar, and notable for being the first cartoon in which the name Elmer Fudd was used, seen inscribed on the side of the scooter driven by the protagonist, otherwise Avery's creation Egghead. This was a minimal first step in the evolution from one to the other. This is also the first Warner Bros. cartoon to be reissued as a Blue Ribbon Merrie Melody (it was reissued twice: once on September 11, 1943 and again on September 13, 1952). Egghead's speaking voice was provided on this occasion by Arthur Q. Bryan, although it did not resemble the more familiar "cwazy wabbit" voice which would later be performed for Fudd by Bryan. The character's singing voice was provided by Roy Rogers and additional vocals in the cartoon were done by the Sons of the Pioneers.
Two feuding families of stereotypical hillbillies, the Weavers and the McCoys, spend their time taking potshots at each other. At one point, a McCoy asks if there are any Weavers in the movie audience. One man, shown as a silhouette against the screen, answers in the affirmative, and the McCoy takes a shot at him.
In the midst of the fray, a yodeling, bulbous-nosed, domestic peace activist enters the feud zone on a motorscooter bearing the words "Elmer Fudd, Peace Maker", and goes to each side preaching peace and an end to wanton bloodshed. Neither side is impressed, and when "Elmer" attempts once more to preach peace to both families, both sides get furious at him and open fire on the would be peace maker together. When the smoke clears, only "Elmer" is left standing. He gives a final yodel and says "Good night, all!", and the Weaver in the movie audience yells "Good night!," taking one more shot at the star.