User Reviews

I worked for years with Aggie Cinema and we used to show this movie to the incoming freshman at our outdoor theater, the Grove. Aggie Cinema is defunct, along with the Grove so I'm not sure if the freshman get to see this gem any more.

The interesting bit of trivia was that we were constantly trying to get decent copies of this film to show in the days long before movie restoration. We kept coming up empty handed. We later found out that Robert Mitchum had bought up most of the copies and burned them because he hated his performance. It was not a bad performance. This could have been a lost piece of film lore! Also, note the "mountains" in the scenes of College Station's countryside, which is rolling coastal plain.

The first half of the film concerns the awesomeness of Texas A&M University as we see cocky new student Brad (Richard Quine) arrive on campus and immediately alienate everyone with his terrible personality. Even his roommate Cyanide Jenkins (Noah Beery Jr.) has trouble putting up with Brad until the newcomer is taught some humility. Brad and Cyanide are also both in love with the same girl, professor's daughter Nina (Anne Gwynne). The second half of the movie gets even sillier as Brad deals with evil Japanese agents on campus.

This is a cheesy military school drama that hits most of the usual marks in that kind of story. The second half involving various espionage shenanigans is more entertaining but no less ridiculous. Quine is just terrible, unlikable and irritating. Mitchum's role as a hardcase upperclassman is larger than many he was getting at the time. Cliff Robertson appears in his film debut.

One of the reviewers comments that this film is "corney[sic]...(and) if you're not an Aggie, would probably won't like it." Well, I'm not a [Texas] Aggie but I saw this film at the old Kern theater in Bakersfield when I was a kid. I thought it was a true story and went on believing it until I saw it again one night on the late night show on TV. Corny? Well, that may be a bit harsh but in the context of WWII and the times, it doesn't seem so. The fact is, it's dated. Created for US feel-good propaganda during the war, its anti-Japanese message comes across as racist and hate-mongering. But, isn't that what propaganda is all about? As a serious student of the Pacific War, this story shows a horrible lack of understanding of Japanese culture. But, bridging differences and fostering understanding was not the order of the day in 1943. It was "kill Japs," and sadly, this is what this film portends. I hope we don't believe that way now.

Typical WWII tear jerker. If you are part of the generation that came of age around that era you'll still get some goosebumps when you see it even though it is really quite corny. I just wished I knew when it was ever going to be on TV again so I could tape it.

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.

Although it was not available except for on-campus showing, it is currently being marketed: http://secure1.esportspartners.com/store-aggieLocker/main_detail.cfm? nProductID=8176&sAuxTitle=We''ve%20Never%20Been%20Licked%20DVD

I saw this movie several times during my college years at A&M, usually at "The Grove", now long gone itself. Viewing was mandatory for incoming Corps freshmen. I have a VHS copy of the movie, but it is now also available on DVD.

Victor Mature, being interviewed by Johnny Carson, was asked what his worst movie was. Without hesitation, he replied: "I don't remember the name, but it was about some cow college in Texas."

A bit of trivia, my mother was enrolled at Texas Women's College when this movies was filmed. Many Texas Women's College girls appeared in the dance scene in Sbisa, but because the female lead was wearing a light colored dress and all the girls in lighter colors were left out and they had to remove their shoes to not interfere with the sound recording.

And it wasn't Victor Mature claiming it was his worst film on Johnny Carson Tonight Show. Noah Beery would go on to star in the Rockford Files. I forget what the deal with the Japanese was. I personally like the remake with Robert DeNiro better even tough I can't stand him as a person.

We've Never Been Licked is one of those wartime flagwavers that has gone woefully out of date. In fact I'm sure that audiences were scratching their heads during the showing of this film in theaters across the country. Except possibly in Texas where no matter what they love their Aggies of Texas A&M.

Radio sportscaster Bill Stern, the Howard Cosell of his day narrates this film during a break in a Texas A&M football game during a broadcast to tell the story of a young Aggie played by Richard Quine who made a sacrifice for Uncle Sam.

Quine was a student at Texas A&M before Pearl Harbor and seemed to join in the Aggie swing of things, football, cadet corps, and girls in the person of Anne Gwynne. But she likes his roommate Noah Beery, Jr. much better.

In the meantime Quine is also buddying it up with a pair of Japanese exchange students who are getting increasingly isolated as tensions mount between the two countries. They're really there to spy and get some secret scientific formula being worked on at the Aggie laboratory.

Quine goes deep undercover and I mean deep. He discovers such other spies as William Frawley and Edgar Barrier working for the Land of the Rising Sun. In fact Barrier is made up Oriental and not too well. To keep his cover Quine quits the Aggies and goes to Japan with the epithet of traitor hung around his neck.

After Pearl Harbor though Quine redeems himself and I have to say in one of the most unbelievable climaxes ever in the history of film. I dare not say more, you have to see it to believe it.

Playing one of the upperclassmen to Quine and Beery is Robert Mitchum in one of his early films and one I'm sure he probably didn't have fond memories of. But God bless the cast they pulled this off without a smirk showing.

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.

This is really a WWII movie that happens to be set at Texas A&M University. It's a really great flick to kick back and watch - especially if you are an Aggie or WWII buff. I saw this for the first time when I was at A&M and loved it. No it wasn't Robert Mitchum's best movie, but it really wasn't his worst either. Noah Berry also went on to greater stardom. Anne Gwynne was featured in many monster movies in the 40's and 50's. I have an original set of Movie Lobby Cards, along with a press release and corresponding picture from the movie. I have them framed in my office. I would love to find an original poster. I've searched for years and haven't found one yet for sale. Here is a bit of trivia for you: Anne Gwynne - she's the grandmother of Chris Pine (of Star Trek fame!).

I thought it was horrible and Robert Mitchum fans should avoid it like the plague in order to hold any long-term respect for the man's talent. He was wasted in this movie, but then again, he didn't exactly do anything with his part either.

That being said, it's funny if you're an Aggie. I'd give it a 5 as an Aggie, but i gave it a 1 as a movie afficiana... aficcinad... afficcinna... er... movie buff. ;)

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.

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.

During WWII, Hollywood made tons of "variety show" movies for war morale and to entertain the soldiers. We've Never Been Licked was a film dedicated to one particular school, Texas A & M, that produced thousands of marines. The film used authentic extras and was partially filmed on location, and the opening dedication was very moving: "This motion picture is dedicated to the thousands of Texas A.& M. college students who participated in the making of this picture and who are now serving their country on many battlefronts all over the world."

But onto the story: Richard Quine plays a new cadet at A & M. He quickly bonds with his roommate, Noah Beery, Jr., clashes with upperclassman Robert Mitchum, and falls in love with Anne Gwynne, Professor Harry Davenport's daughter. There's more to the school than meets the eye, though. It seems that every cadet is in love with Anne, and Bob continually comes up with little tricks and hazes to get under Dick's skin.

This isn't a movie you'll watch for the acting or the battle scenes; this is a movie you'll watch if you're attached to the campus, or if you're really dedicated to watching lots of morale flicks. Non-Aggies might get a little tired of the school spirit, but if you remind yourself of the words in the beginning, you'll understand why Hollywood made this movie.

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.

"We've Never Been Licked" is a propaganda film from 1943...when the US was in the middle of WWII. The fact that it's so obviously propaganda isn't surprising considering when it was made. Now, 'propagnada' usually has a negative connotation, but in this case the reasons behind it were positive...to galvanize the folks at home behind the war effort. And, to do so, the film employs many common stereotypes of the day, though the Japanese in this film weren't as animalistic and over the top as many American propaganda films of the day.

Brad Craig (Richard Quine) is the son of an American general and he spent much of his life living in Asia. When the story begins in 1938, he's just arrived at Texas A&M*...the same school where his father was a standout cadette. Because of his father, there are high expectations for Brad...but early on, he seems like a bit immature and unwilling to fit into the routine at such a school. But, over time, he's able to prove himself and works out well....except for one thing. Brad seems incredibly enamored with the Japanese. While many of his fellow classmates are horrified by the Imperial Japanese and their treatment of the Chinese, Brad makes excuses for this and two of his best friends on campus are Japanese students. Eventually, Brad will have to choose between his loyalty for America and Japan, as the war is soon about to strike the USA. There's much more to the story...but it's best you just see it and see where the story goes.

While Richard Quine is pretty much an unknown actor, he did fine in the lead. I also think the studio deliberately picked an unknown in order to make the story seem more realistic. Also prominent is Noah Beery Jr....an actor usually assigned to tiny bit parts but here he shines. Additionally, while certainly NOT a star in 1943, the film also has Robert Mitchum playing a very prominent part in the movie....and he seems very natural.

Overall, while the film certainly isn't 100% realistic and occasionally falls for cliches and stereotypes, compared to similar sorts of films from the era, it's actually pretty restrained and watchable. Well worth seeing...and not just for a chance to see Mitchum in one of his very early roles.

*I had no idea that Texas A&M was a military school during WWI and WWII. Today, it still has a large number of ROTC-type students...in addition to other non-military students.