Young Matt Matthews, an Ozark Mountains moonshiner, hates the father he has never seen, who apparently deserted Matt's mother and left her to die. His obsession contributes to the hatred rampant in the mountains. However, the arrival of a stranger, Daniel Howitt, begins to positively affect the mountain people, who learn to shed their hatred under his gentle influence.
John Wayne
as Young Matt Matthews
Betty Field
as Sammy Lane
Harry Carey
as Daniel Howitt
Beulah Bondi
as Aunt Mollie Matthews
James Barton
as Old Matt Matthews
Samuel S. Hinds
as Andy Beeler
Marjorie Main
as Granny Becky
Ward Bond
as Wash Gibbs
Marc Lawrence
as Pete Matthews
John Qualen
as Coot Royal
Fuzzy Knight
as Mr. Palestrom
Tom Fadden
as Jim Lane
