Tap Roots (1948)

Morna Dabney is engaged to soldier Clay MacIvor in the days before the War Between the States. Morna's grandfather Big Sam Dabney founded their Mississippi plantation near Levington, which ... See full summary »

Director:

George Marshall

Writers:

James H. Street (novel), Alan Le May,

Stars:

Van Heflin, Susan Hayward, Boris Karloff

Cast

Complete credited cast:
Van Heflin	...	Keith Alexander
Susan Hayward	...	Morna Dabney
Boris Karloff	...	Tishomingo
Julie London	...	Aven Dabney
Whitfield Connor	...	Clay MacIvor
Ward Bond	...	Hoab Dabney
Richard Long	...	Bruce Dabney
Arthur Shields	...	Reverend Kirkland
Griff Barnett	...	Dr. MacIntosh
Sondra Rodgers	...	Shellie Dabney
Ruby Dandridge	...	Dabby
Russell Simpson	...	Big Sam Dabney

Storyline

Morna Dabney is engaged to soldier Clay MacIvor in the days before the War Between the States. Morna's grandfather Big Sam Dabney founded their Mississippi plantation near Levington, which thrives in the Deep South, but he remains loyal to the Union, as does his son Hoab, Morna's father. As Mississippi secedes, Hoab plans to withdraw the area around his plantation and remain neutral, and he gains support from local newspaperman Keith Alexander. Keith falls in love with Morna, whose fiancé Clay has joined the Confederate Army. Clay plans to punish the would-be neutral citizens of Levington by raiding the area, but Morna, with the help of her grandfather's Choctaw friend Tishomingo, attempts to thwart the attack. Morna sacrifices greatly to protect her home and the man she really loves.

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Plot Keywords:

civil war | confederacy | based on novel

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Taglines:

When she lost her lover...her sister gained one!

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Genres:

Drama | War | Western

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Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

25 August 1948 (USA)

Also Known As:

Das Tal der Leidenschaften

Filming Locations:

Great Smoky Mountains National Park - 107 Park Headquarters Road, Gatlinburg, Tennessee, USA

Company Credits

Production Co:

Walter Wanger Productions, Universal International Pictures (UI)

Technical Specs

Runtime:

109 min

Sound Mix:

Mono (Western Electric Recording)

Color:

Color (Technicolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Lux Radio Theatre version aired 27 September 1948, starring Van Heflin, Susan Hayward, and Richard Long in their original roles.

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Goofs

Mountains shown in the background of a few scenes. There are no mountains of that size anywhere in Mississippi.

User Reviews

BORIS KARLOFF IS A GREAT INDIAN !

I was able to tape this film years ago. It is not often seen on TV and a true classic film. Tap Roots takes place at the outbreak of the Civil War, Lebanon Valley tries to secede from the state of Mississippi and remain neutral. Hating slavery, its leader, Hoab Dabney(Ward Bond), and a faithful Indian friend of the family, Tishomingo(Boris Karloff), promise to protect the valley against the Confederate army. There is a great cast of actors namely: Susan Hayward, Van Heflin and Julie London(former wife of Jack Webb, Dragnet T.V) Tap Roots is rather long and drawn out. However, the plot has romance, excellent photography of the Civil War costumes, sex situations and the action is of great value. Karloff is excellent as an Indian guide of the family and his make-up makes him look just like a Native American. I noticed the Smoky Mountains located in North Carolina and Tennessee where this Mississippi story was filmed which is magnificent to view.