Unit tests on unmanaged database in Django 1.9

Does anyone have any tips about how to run unit tests against an unmanaged MySQL database in Django 1.9. I need a sample test runner that actually works. Nothing I have found on the web works with 1.9.

I need to:

1. run tests against an existing legacy MySQL database
2. NOT recreate the database - use the legacy database and its data as-is
3. I think I can use the 'pass' command to bypass the database setup and teardown functions?

I am a relative newcomer to Django and have managed to teach myself so far but the sheer number of options in Django for unit testing is bewildering.

Thanks for any tips anyone can offer.