Set at the beginning of the Civil War, Tap Roots is all about a county in Mississippi which chooses to secede from the state rather than enter the conflict. The county is protected from the Confederacy by an abolitionist and a Native American gentleman. The abolitionist's daughter is courted by a powerful newspaper publisher when her fiance, a confederate officer, elopes with the girl's sister. The daughter at first resists the publisher's attentions, but turns to him for aid when her ex-fiance plans to capture the seceding county on behalf of the South.
Acting
Boris Karloff's weirdly tender Tishomingo—yes, Frankenstein speaks Choctaw.
Cinematography
Lush Technicolor that makes secession look almost romantic.
Writing
The tagline writer earned their paycheck if nothing else.
Director
George Marshall
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
Ruby Dandridge
Dabby
Russell Simpson
Big Sam Dabney
Gregg Barton
Captain (uncredited)
William Challee
Sergeant (uncredited)
Trivia, insights & behind the scenes
Based on a novel by James Street, whose other work inspired The Biscuit Eater—yes, really.
Released when Hollywood was obsessed with 'peaceful' Civil War stories that sidestepped slavery; this one's almost satirical in its avoidance.
US
