We've Never Been Licked

Train buffs should not miss this movie. There are rare shots of Southern Pacific's streamlined train The Sunbeam arriving at College Station. There are also rare shots of the College Station, Texas Depot torn down in 1966. The former site has an official State of Texas Historical Marker. The scenes of life in the Corps of Cadets and the A&M mascot Reveille are precious. The locomotive that appeared in the movie was Southern Pacific Pacific type locomotive No. 620, the streamlined Pacifics were probably not available during filming. Film used to be shown on Texas TV stations before Texas A&M-University of Texas football games.

Richard Quine is an army brat who grew up in the Far East. Now he's journeyed halfway around the world to attend Texas A&M, his father's alma mater. He hopes to be an Aggie, and bring modern farming techniques to the Philippines. But he's not used to the strange and onerous discipline of the school, despite his friendship with his room mate, Noah Beery Jr., his respect for professor Harry Davenport, and his love for Davenport's daughter, Anne Gwynne. His understanding of the Japanese language and people make him the butt of the growing evidence of Japanese savagery in China. Certainly, upperclassman Robert Mitchum won't let him be.

Walter Wanger produced this 100+ minute propaganda film for Universal. Sometimes it seems a bit long-winded about the college. I checked and was surprised that Wanger did not go to Texas A&M. He started out in vaudeville as a child, then went into the movies as an actor. He switched over to directing in the late 1940s, and specialized in light comedies, often, at first, with scripts by Blake Edwards. He died in 1989 at the age of 68.

This World War II propaganda film is not to be missed. As one of my father's friends described it: "The other night I saw this crazy movie about an Aggie kamakazie..."

Well the plot is odd, set at Texas A&M College (Whoop!). You have to see this movie at the Grove, on campus in the summertime to really get the full effect. Audience participation is essential.

It is a classic of sorts, along with the Victory at Sea series, this belongs in a time capsule about political incorrectness. Still, it's fun to see Robert Mitchum playing his minor part. The voice will grab you anyway. Fun stuff from a bygone era. The closing scene is worth waiting for.

There was a time when everyone in the United States was truly "united" following the attack on Pearl Harbor, there was no doubt about what had to be done, and the military might of the U.S. was there to do the job. In the wake of 9-11, there was another groundswell of patriotic feeling, but over time we have forgotten how priceless are our freedoms and how they have been protected over the years. This film reminds the history student (or anyone who has listened to their ancestors) of how real a threat can be. Cadet Craig, for reasons of nobility and integrity, sacrificed himself and his reputation for his country, his family and his alma mater. Who would do such a thing today? Maybe the first responders on 9-11; the threat in 1942 was real, the threat in the 21st century is real. This film reminds us of heroes, and duty, and country. It is well worth your time. Not the best acting, or the best story or the best filmography, but you are free to choose.

As an Aggie I can appreciate the glimpse of "Ole Army" that the film gives us. I saw footage of my dorm just years after it was built as well as other buildings I frequent. The first part is a pretty standard story. Cadet comes to A&M, Doesn't like it. Then, learns the meaning of Aggie spirit and excels. Quite suddenly however the plot goes from "Leave It To Beaver" to "Manchurian Canidate". I had trouble following the second half of the movie. In fact, the ending is so bizarre that you'll have to see it for your self to fully comprehend the weirdness. I always wondered why the school didn't make a big deal out of the film (like Notre Dame makes about Rudy)after seeing the film I understand why its relegated to a dusty corner of the bookstore. I have heard from an old professor at A&M, that when A&M administrators saw the completed movie, they were horrified and pulled more than a few strings to see that it wasn't widely released. Do your self a favor, skip the film and go to an Aggie football game instead.