I am trying to locate sheet music (vocal arrangement) for a friend.
The song in question is called either "The Hard Way" or "Doin' It the
Hard Way" from the film "Duffy's Tavern." It was written by Jimmy Van
Heusen and Johnny Burke. My own research indicates it's got a
copyright date of 1945.

Obtaining it from a library is probably not a viable option, as it
appears that only 2 libraries have this particular piece in their
holdings, but if it can be found readily (e.g. more than a handful of
libraries have the thing) in a compilation, that would be acceptable.

Preference is to be able to purchase the music. If not individually,
than in a  compilation/collection of sheet music.

Any questions, please ask for clarification.

Regards,
luciaphile-ga

Luciaphile --

Have you tried A to G Music?  www.a2gsafeshoper.com 
Dave Neiser has lots of out of print sheet music - very inexpensive.
I bought something from him at $1.50 that was going for $45.00
on eBay.   If you don't see the song on his site, you can query him by
e-mail directly at musica442@aol.com

A last resort --if you have a recording of the song -- is
something I've done for friends in the past when the
sheet music wasn't available: hired a music copyist to
transcribe the piece into a nice lead sheet.

Thanks cryptica-ga, I'll look into the link. I don't think the musical
transcriptionist route will work though. My friend wants to acquire
the sheet music, but I don't think the need is that great. Thanks
though!