TAP ROOTS 1948
Tap Roots is a 1948 period film set during the American Civil War.
It was somewhat based on a true life story of Newton Knight. He was a farmer who attempted to secede Jones County from Mississippi in support of the Union.
Produced by Walter Wanger
Directed by George Marshall
Written by Alan LeMay, Lionel Wiggam & James Street (novel)
Distributed by Universal Pictures
Cinematography by Winton Hoch and Lionel Linden
Music by Frank Skinner
The cast included:
Van Heflin as Keith Alexander
Susan Hayward as Morna Dabney
Boris Karloff as Tishomingo
Julie London as Aven Dabney
Whitfield Connor as Clay McIvor
Ward Bond as Hoab Dabney
Richard Long as Bruce Dabney
Russell Simpson as Big Sam Dabney
Griff Barnett as Dr. McIntosh
Ruby Dandrige as Dabby.
Tap Roots is a minor Gone With Then Wind having another cast and not as successful as the original GWTW.
At the time the Civil War is brewing and Lebanon County of Mississippi is determined to remain neutral. The leader of the area, Hoab Dabney, encourages the landowners to abhor slavery and secede from the state in support of the Union and stay out of the war. Dabney and his Indian friend Tishomingo promise the fearful farmers that they will keep the Confederate Army out and keep the valley peaceful. Big Sam Dabney and Tishomingo built this raw land into a peaceful civilization and they mean to keep it that way.
The younger members of the family are Morna Dabney ( very much like Scarlett O'Hara), Aven Dabney and Bruce Dabney.
Keith Alexander, the local newspaper editor who backs the cause of the neutrals with his pen and his pistols. He is also interested in Morna Dabney, who at this time in enamored with Clay McIvor.
Due to an accident Morna becomes partially paralyzed and the wedding plans put off. Unbeknown to her, McIvor has also been playing with the affections of her sister Aven. McIvor and Aven run off to get married. Hoab finds McIvor's support of slavery too much to take.
When Dr McIntosh cannot cure Morna, Tishomingo uses an old Indian remedy which in turn makes her completely mobile again.
The residents of the valley are all in accord with being against slavery. McIvor, now a major in the Confederate army, leads troops to straighten out these reluctant recalcitrants. Morna trys to make a play for McIvor to delay the force from getting to to valley until the settlers can arm properly.
A battle takes place and all join to fight against McIvor's forces. When Hoab is injured and Bruce is killed there seems to be no hope left. However, Alexander comes face to face with McIvor in a duel in which Alexander prevails. Alexander then takes Hoab into a small cabin in the woods where his wounds are treated. Morna also arrives where she and Alexander come together for the rest of their lives.
The Rebel forces are driven from the valley and decide not to make another attempt so that they will not suffer any more losses.
This film was shot in the Smokey Mountains of Tennessee and North Carolina. These areas were similar to Mississippi as far as land and forests were concerned.
Susan Hayward wanted to do the role of Scarlett O'Hara but instead got the role of Morna Dabney instead, which was a very similar character.
Boris Karloff of Frankenstein and Mr. Wong fame got a change to play the part of an Indian. He also played another Indian part in the film Unconquered named Guyasuta.
Van Heflin was a great leading man for this film, though he has always claimed that he was basically a character actor.
This film is ranked a 6.8 out of 10 per the IMDB poll. I agree but I would put it a little higher.
The film was magnificently filmed in color and it moved along quickly at a nice pace. All of the actors were more than competent and the story was an unusual one.
This is a great film ( maybe not GWTW) and another interesting film about the Civil War.
It is worth having in a film library.
It is not commercially available at this time but I did get an excellent copy off of the internet. I do believe the party whom I ordered it through took over the copywrite.
I think that it does come on some of the movie channels.
Well, that's my two cents!
I thought that it was a great film, magnificently filmed and all of the actors gave great performances.
Louie The Movie Buff