"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.
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.