We've Never Been Licked is one of those wartime flagwavers that has gone woefully out of date.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 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!).

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.