WWII morale film for Texas A&M graduates fighting overseas. Young Brad Craig (Langton) enters the military school with a chip on his shoulder which Mitchum and other upperclassmen quickly knock off. Once adjusted, Craig falls in love with a professor's beautiful daughter, only to find she is in love with his roommate, played by Noah Beery. In the meantime, Craig associates with Japanese spies (including William Frawley of "I Love Lucy") bent on stealing a secret chemical compound being worked on a the University. But is he one of them, or a double agent for his country? 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.<br/><br/>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. ;) 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.
Tannbel replied
344 weeks ago