Lights, Camera, Aggies!

From “A Few Good Men” to “Monsters, Inc.,” discover Aggies’ unexpected impacts on the silver screen.

By Sadie Kammlah '25

June 20, 2023

With summer in full swing, families and friends gravitate toward the theater to catch a film and beat the heat for a few hours. Immersing oneself in the world on screen and escaping reality for an evening is a pastime that young and old have enjoyed for decades. For Aggies, however, many flicks take them back to their college days through the movies’ on- or off-screen connections to their alma mater. Here are some films that bring the Spirit can ne’er be told to the silver screen.

John Kimbrough '41 took his dashing looks to the cinema screen when he starred in two westerns. (Photo courtesy of Cushing Memorial Library and Archives)

“Lone Star Ranger” and “Sundown Jim” (1942)

These films starred one of Aggieland’s finest, John Kimbrough ’41, a fullback for Texas A&M University’s football team who was part of the undefeated 1939 championship team. He was drafted first round in the NFL to play for the Chicago Cardinals, but when the league came to a halt after the Pearl Harbor bombing, Kimbrough took his dashing looks and athletic abilities to Hollywood. He starred in the westerns “Lone Star Ranger” and “Sundown Jim,” playing characters who helped bring justice to the Wild West. Kimbrough later served his country in World War II as an army pilot in the Pacific theater.

“We've Never Been Licked” (1943)

This World War II film, which has also been called “Texas Aggies,” “Texas to Tokyo” and “Fighting Command,” tells the story of a decorated U.S. Army colonel’s son starting his first year at Texas A&M. Partially filmed on location in College Station, the movie depicts Aggie traditions in a story about the struggles of trust as well as romance, camaraderie and college life during war time. Produced as a morale film for Aggies fighting overseas, it was 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.”

"We've Never Been Licked" was partially filmed in College Station and depicts many aspects of Aggie life. (Photos courtesy of Cushing Memorial Library and Archives)

After his character in the film "Bad Boy" attended Texas A&M, WWII veteran Audie Murphy (left) visited campus for real as a guest of honor. (Photo courtesy of Life magazine)

“Bad Boy” (1949)

Audie Murphy, the most decorated combat soldier in U.S. military history who singlehandedly held off a company of German soldiers in France in 1945, plays the delinquent Danny Lester in the film “Bad Boy.” Lester, who spends much of the film getting in trouble with the law, finally changes his ways at the end by becoming an engineering student at Texas A&M. The final scene shows Lester marching with the Corps of Cadets on Simpson Drill Field, choosing to start fresh in the best place possible.

Though Murphy had no direct connection to Texas A&M before the film, he later visited campus during the 1949 Military Ball weekend, where he received a hero’s welcome and became the first person to receive the rank of honorary Corps colonel.

“A Few Good Men” (1992)

“You can’t handle the truth!” This blockbuster legal drama stars Tom Cruise, Jack Nicholson and Demi Moore in an adaptation of a play by screenwriter Aaron Sorkin. The film centers on Lt. Daniel Kaffee, a military lawyer played by Cruise, as he defends two Marines who were accused of killing one of their fellow comrades.

Aggie Easter Eggs

Some films point to Texas A&M in smaller ways as well. Though many of these Aggie Easter eggs are debated or unconfirmed, you can watch and decide for yourself!

“Back to the Future Part II”

In one scene of this sequel to “Back to the Future,” the town bully, Biff, listens to a sports broadcast that briefly mentions Texas A&M beating the Rice Owls 20-10. While the Aggies did prevail over Rice during the 1955 season, the final score in real life was 20-12.

“Monsters, Inc.”

There is debate about the character Sulley being named after Lawrence Sullivan Ross, the third president of Texas A&M. Although many campus tour guides claim it as confirmed given the number of former students who work for Pixar and Disney, officials in the visualization program consider it a myth.

“Troy”

During one scene, a large boat with sails bears a striking resemblance to the “Saw ’em Off” symbol. Whether this sail was intentionally made to boast of prowess bold is unconfirmed, but many Aggies believe the designers knew what they were doing.

“Up”

Some say the film’s main character, Carl Frederickson, was inspired by Dr. Rodney Hill, a beloved architecture professor who recently retired in 2021. Though the two bear a striking resemblance in appearance, Frederickson’s kind but sullen personality is far from Hill’s fun and energetic lectures.

“Monsters University”

The campus skyline in this sequel to “Monster’s, Inc.” contains a building that looks suspiciously familiar to our own Academic Building. To confirm this theory could seem difficult, but nothing an Aggie can’t figure out.

Its opening credits sequence has a special significance for Aggies: The U.S. Marine Corps Silent Drill Platoon that performs a drill in the scene is actually played by members of Texas A&M’s Fish Drill Team. The production flew 35 members to Washington, D.C., for four days of filming.

“Courage Under Fire” (1996)

Four years after the Fish Drill Team’s film debut, members of the Corps of Cadets were bused over to the airbase in San Marcos for five days to appear as extras in the military drama “Courage Under Fire.” They can be seen in a street scene and in another as Denzel Washington looks out a window.

James LaMarr ’98 was a Fish Drill Team advisor who participated in the filming, including one scene where he talks with Sean Astin before Washington approaches, though the scene was unfortunately cut. But the experience set him on the path to becoming a film producer with his own production company. “It was my first time on a movie set, and it was a fun experience that made me want to be on a lot of them in the future,” he said. “I don’t think I’d be where I am today if not for that opportunity.”

“They Call Me Sirr” (2001)

This 2001 Showtime movie tells the true story of Sirr Parker ’98, who grew up in poverty and took care of his younger brother while excelling at high school football. He graduated with honors and became a running back for Texas A&M, leading the football team to the 1998 Big 12 Conference championship, where he scored the game-winning 32-yard touchdown in double overtime to beat the No. 2 ranked Kansas State Wildcats.

He went on to play for the San Diego Chargers, a testament to his perseverance and grit to succeed against the odds, and later returned to Texas A&M to finish out his degree, receiving his diploma in 2021.

“The Junction Boys” (2002)

Another true-story film, “The Junction Boys” is based on the first summer that Coach Paul “Bear” Bryant coached Aggie football in 1954. The players endured grueling workouts and training regimes for 10 days in the heat of drought-stricken Junction, Texas. Two of the Junction Boys, Jack Pardee ’57 and Gene Stallings ’57, became NFL coaches after graduation, with Stallings coaching the Aggies himself from 1965 to 1971.

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Tagged with:

Lights, Camera, Aggies!

“Lone Star Ranger” and “Sundown Jim” (1942)

“We've Never Been Licked” (1943)

“Bad Boy” (1949)

“A Few Good Men” (1992)

Aggie Easter Eggs

“Courage Under Fire” (1996)

“They Call Me Sirr” (2001)

“The Junction Boys” (2002)

More Aggie History This Way

12 OPAS Shows That Brought the House Down

The Day the Ring Turns ’Round

There's a Secret Can Ne'er Be Told

Contact

Dunae Reader '15

Make Your Impact

Lights, Camera, Aggies!

“Lone Star Ranger” and “Sundown Jim” (1942)

“We've Never Been Licked” (1943)

“Bad Boy” (1949)

“A Few Good Men” (1992)

Aggie Easter Eggs

“Courage Under Fire” (1996)

“They Call Me Sirr” (2001)

“The Junction Boys” (2002)

More Aggie History This Way

12 OPAS Shows That Brought the House Down

The Day the Ring Turns ’Round

There's a Secret Can Ne'er Be Told

Contact

Dunae Reader '15

Make Your Impact

Send a Message to Dunae