The Youngest Profession (1943) User Reviews

Bagging Those Autographs

[bkoganbing · 5/10 · 29 September 2009]

Five of MGM's biggest stars did some box office cameo duty appearing as themselves in this B picture about the trials and travails of autograph pursuing. I do remember pursuing a few of them in my youth so I can somewhat sympathize with what these young girls headed by Virginia Weidler are going through. I can also understand some of the problems they cause the celebrities as well.

The landings in North Africa and Salerno should have been as well organized as what Virginia Weidler and her fan club when they're on the prowl for celebrity signatures. Weidler and her pursuits are bedeviling her parents, Edward Arnold and Marta Linden, and they've got additional problems with their son Scotty Beckett who fancies himself an inventor and a governess in Agnes Moorehead who's outlived her usefulness and won't take the hint to retire.

Weidler's imagination is set on fire by what she sees in the movies and already she's imagining trouble in her parent's marriage and switches from movie star hunting to Lucy Ricardo like machinations to keep her parents from a breakup that's all in her head.

Lana Turner, Greer Garson, Walter Pidgeon, Robert Taylor, and William Powell all make brief appearances as the hunted. Personally there's no way in God's green earth that Greer Garson would have indulged Weidler and her friend Ann Ayars. Only Pidgeon showed the slightest traces of impatience with the young ladies, maybe more than a trace.

The Youngest Profession is a cute film, a nostalgic look at the Forties, but not too much more than that.

Total fluff but that's O.K.

[creeper · 7/10 · 29 July 2000]

If you don't like light entertainment, avoid this movie! But if you enjoy fluff, I think you'll love this one. Lot's of stars drop by to flash a smile but that's only part of it. If you appreciate the talents of the much underrated Edward Arnold as I do, he's here. Along with Virginia Weidler and Jean Porter who I think are two of the most engaging of the "child" stars of the 40's. And Agnes "Endora" Moorehead adds her spice as well. Try and this one and see...

Unexpectedly Uprorious

[dzkaplan · 7/10 · 2 June 2005]

Watch this movie with no expectations and you'll end up howling with laughter! The Youngest Profession sets it's silly tone early on and never threatens to take itself too seriously. It was clearly made for the hoards of young early 1940's fans who are here given center stage. Though the film does have a sit-com feel and plot, the witty writing and game cast make it all seem fresh and new. Poor Virginia Weidler may be grating at times but she's surrounded by such game pros (especially Agnes Moorehead) that it's a pretty moot point. The star cameos are publicist's dreams. Thankfully, they also do not seem out of place in the wacky world this film so fondly creates.

Mr. and Mrs. Miniver in New York

[dougdoepke · 16 August 2008]

MGM programmer for the younger set. Viewers interested in teens and trends of the time (1943) might take a look. Weidler makes a spunky teenager with a dyspeptic father, a dutiful mother, a mischievous little brother and a mob of friends as star-struck as she is. Their New York lives revolve around collecting autographs from celebrities who, surprise, also happen to be major MGM movie-stars. Complications arise when conniving housekeeper Agnes Moorehead (who else?) creates a marital mix-up.

Though dated, there are enough laughs and human interest to keep you entertained. The kids are delightfully amusing with an innocent charm seemingly a galaxy away from today's teen movies. John Caroll scores as the cranky Russian muscle man back when Hollywood Russians were an amusing hot commodity, along with Jean Porter as Weidler's wide-eyed best buddy. In passing, note the brief references to how the kids were helping to win the war, with their saving stamps, etc. A rather sad sidelight are the later lives of Weidler who died young after a failed adult career, and Beckett (the younger brother) whose biography reads regrettably like a police blotter before also dying young. Nonetheless, MGM turned out some major stars (Garson, Taylor, Pidgeon, et al.) for good humored cameos. All in all, an entertaining little artifact.

a 40s delight

[dtc17 · 7/10 · 10 November 2005]

During the first week of being able to watch TCM, I stumbled onto this delightful little gem called The Oldest Professinal this morning. Pure pleasure with a dynamite comedic pace. That little child actress, Joan Carroll, was just incredible.

I'm already over the moon that I get to see TCM everyday and this little harmless piece of fluff was a great tonic to start the day. It's an incredible treat to be able to view these classic moves unedited, not butchered by commercials, and shown with exquisite prints.

Anotherbonus for this movie was seeing a youngish Agnes Moorehead playing in good supporting role that is neither wacky or evil.

A shameless piece of MGM self promotion...

[AlsExGal · 6/10 · 4 June 2023]

... that was better than I expected it to be. And that is mainly because the focus of the film is not two teen girls autograph hunting. That would have gotten diabetic in a hurry.

Joan Lyons (VIrginia Weidler) and Patricia Drew (Jean Porter) are star crazy autograph hounds who head a club of equally star crazy teen girls who are also autograph hounds. They live in New York City, so it is probably more likely that they would run into stars there than Indiana, but they do seem to have an uncanny amount of luck, including having Robert Taylor move into the apartment across the hall from the Lyons with William Powell ending up in an elevator with the Lyons when he goes to visit Taylor. Taylor was married to Barbara Stanwyck at the time, so why didn't they run into her? The short answer would be that Stanwyck was not under contract to MGM in 1943.

This movie is beefed up with a subplot about a series of misunderstandings coupled with a gossipy governess (Agnes Moorehead) that have Joan believing that her father (Edward Arnold) is planning to leave her mother for his secretary. Joan and Patricia come up with a goofy plot to try and get them back together when there is no problem in the first place. This part of the film is up to the quality of the Andy Hardy films of the time, and it helps to have an old pro like Edward Arnold onboard.

I begrudgingly started watching this in my quest to watch and review all of William Powells existing films, and if not for its minor place in his filmography I would have likely passed on it, but it was better than I expected. If you like the MGM family comedies of the late 30s and early 40s you'll probably like this one.

Silly But Fun

[atlasmb · 6/10 · 29 May 2023]

This wartime comedy is rather silly, but fun.

Teenager Joan Lyons (Virgina Weidler) is president of a club that collects autographs of Hollywood stars. This script has her remarkably bumping into Hollywood royalty at every turn. The cameos by these stars are unremarkable but entertaining.

The film divides its time between the Nancy Drew-ish efforts of Miss Lyons, as she uses every device and wile to locate and stalk the stars, and the interactions of her family members.

Most of the acting is cartoonish, like a Blondie and Dagwood film. Joans' sidekick, Patricia Drew, is played by Jean Porter. It's a one-dimensional role, and I wish they had made her more integral to the plot.

Enjoy the cameos. And accept the corny humor for what it is: a wartime diversion.

What's a Celebrity if Not Gracious to a Fault?

[chauge-73253 · 7/10 · 17 January 2018]

"The Youngest Profession" is a cute but implausible story of celebrity-obsessed teenager Joan Lyons and her fellow autograph-hound classmates who spend their afternoons and evenings chasing down celebrities who happen to be in New York at the time. The main plot, however, involves the suspected infidelity between her father and her secretary and the lengths Joan goes to prevent a broken home. There are a few celebrity cameos with each of them on their best behavior, including Lana Turner, Greer Garson, Robert Taylor and Walter Pidgeon. It's hard to believe that in real life if they knew some teenage girls were manipulating circumstances and lying to others in order to see them that they would be so accommodating, but that's showbiz, I guess. The rest of the proceedings are mainly a farce involving the family drama misunderstandings that are entertaining enough, if a bit overacted. But overall the movie is good family fun.

A cute idea but this could have certainly been better

[planktonrules · 5/10 · 19 August 2008]

The story is about an autograph-crazy teenager and her kooky friends who will do practically anything to meet celebrities. This is a small picture from MGM that has a lot going for it, but it also has a lot against it.

Let's first talk about the good. Edward Arnold does a wonderful job as the befuddled father of the lead wacky teen. He is suitably angry and confounded--an excellent and funny role. In addition, the film has some lovely cameos, as you get to see such notables as Greer Garson, Walter Pidgeon, Robert Taylor and William Powell. It's nice to see them playing themselves, though I seriously doubt that Garson would really invite star-struck teens in for tea, Pidgeon would have a fatherly talk with them--dispensing advice, or that Robert Taylor would deliver messages. These sweet cameos really were fun to see and did a lot to endear the stars to their fans. Plus it's a cute change of pace to see them as "real folks".

However, the bad outdoes a lot of the good. The autograph-crazy girl, Joan (Virginia Weidler) is just too annoying. It was so bad that I really wanted to see Arnold rap her in the mouth! And, although this girl acted too broadly and was too irritating for words, the character played by Agnes Moorehead was just too hateful and broad--and much worse! I actually was rooting to see this witch hit by a bus--and she was too rotten and conniving to be funny or realistic. In fact, neither seemed the least bit real and were severe detriments to the film. It's really too bad, as the idea for the film was fine but the actual writing and dialog sagged--and it's no wonder I just couldn't stand Wiedler and Moorehead--the writers simply gave us little to like.

A passable little film with some supposedly behind the scenes views, but nothing more.

looking for youth culture

[SnoopyStyle · 5/10 · 1 June 2023]

Joan Lyons and Patricia Drew are autograph-seeking best friends in New York City. This is a teen flick with the autograph gimmick bringing in some famous people or at least their names. I don't recognize any of these young actors. Here's the thing. In 100 years, people watching Z-O-M-B-I-E-S will wonder who those young actors are and where did they go? The two actresses are doing stereotypical flighty teenagers and it does wear thin. I do pay more attention to the younger cast when they are by themselves. I hoped to glimpse the teen culture of that era, but I don't know if I did. I am scratching my head trying to remember a movie with only teen characters during this pre-Rock n Roll era.

Movie fans circa 1940s

[jotix100 · 8/10 · 1 June 2005]

"The Youngest Profession" is a rarity, in that it seems to have been forgotten after it served its purpose. It's not a total waste. The comedy is light and earnest and has an excellent performance by Virginia Weidler, who as Joan Lyons, is at the center of the action. The film, directed by Edward Buzzell offered a view of an America at war where movie stars were adored by fans like Joan and her set.

The film offers delightful cameo performances by some of the MGM stars of that time. Notably, Greer Garson, Walter Pigeon, Lana Turner and Robert Taylor, who appear as themselves. Ms. Garson and Mr. Pigeon have the best moments as they are seen talking to Joan and Patricia naturally and never appearing condescending, or patronizing.

Virginia Weidler is the main reason for watching the film. She is witty, charming, and thoroughly disarming as the teen ager who loves the bigger than life stars. Also Edward Arnold as Joan's father has a good opportunity to do what he did best. Agnes Moorehead, Marta Linden, Raymond Roe, Jean Porter, among others, make this film a delight to watch.

Sure, it's light fare, but it will surprise anyone because of the refreshing way the teen agers of the era were shown. There is such sweetness among them to make us yearn for a return to that happy era.

One of the funniest films ever.

[marian_the_librarian · 10/10 · 26 June 2005]

"You're the cutest mouse in the joint." Its lines like that which make "The Youngest Profession" a classic. This is film isn't seen enough. I saw it the first time on TCM and was absolutely hooked. I'm a HUGE William Powell fan, and quite identified with a young girl's fascination with the debonair actor. Had I been a teen in 1943, I'd have been collecting autographs when stars were stars. Virginia Weidler gains a few John Hancocks by the end of the film which is littered with cameos by William Powell, Lana Turner, Greer Garson, Walter Pigeon, and Robert Taylor. This is a fantastically funny movie and if you're looking for something along the lines of "The Thin Man", "Bringing Up Baby" and other classics of the era, "The Youngest Profession" should quench your thirst.

Wonderful!

[MajRusKitt · 8/10 · 31 October 2010]

This 1940's romp through the delights of movie star worship in the era when "stars were stars" is simply fantastic! It is effervescent and sweet, Virginia Weidler and that petite dynamo, Jean Porter, are engaging as the best friends who set out to "save" Edward Arnold from himself after the misconceived meddling of Agnes Moorehead sets their imaginations reeling. Cameos by major luminaries of the day, an hilarious send-up of a Sandow-like character by John Carroll, and a double-take worthy of Jack Benny himself by the dashing William Powell, make this picture a favorite of mine. Did Edward Arnold ever give a bad performance??!! Pure gold.

Hangin' Out with "The Youngest Profession"

[JLRMovieReviews · 8/10 · 5 February 2014]

Virginia Weidler and Jean Porter are part of a young girls' fan club of the stars who collect their autographs. In fact, Virginia is the president of the club, who outlines the rules and lengths one must go through to get the most famous and desired John Hancocks. They must live in a big city like New York, because how else could they come across celebrities like Greer Garson, Walter Pidgeon, and Robert Taylor! All these make brief appearances, plus another of whom Virginia has a crush on, but, while we get to see him, she never does, in a clever way of closing the film. But, we begin the film in Hollywood, as Lana Turner is dictating a response to a fan's letter, one that they call a very gracious letter. And, Lana calls the young stargazers "the youngest profession." The plot revolves around the escapades they go on to get their target and the appeal of the film is just how star-crazy they really are. Jean Porter is a hoot as she goes all agog over Walter Pidgeon and Robert Taylor. I'm surprised to see the low rating of this film, because it was a very funny film and I had a blast. Maybe it seemed rather trivial to everyone else, but sometimes the simpleness of a film is what makes it so enjoyable and laid-back. I do admit though that the humor was not very subtle as most of the characters here get really loud and outrageous, including child actor Scotty Beckett as Virginia's brother. Another plus is the presence and performance of Edward Arnold as Virginia's father, who through no fault of his own, is thought to be straying with his secretary. But that is encouraged by character actress Agnes Moorehead. If you want an old-fashioned and very funny film, then hang out with those of "The Youngest Profession."

The one with the all-star cast that could have been better

[jarrodmcdonald-1 · 1 March 2014]

Virginia Weidler, who usually gives decent performances in her pictures, seems to be at her least convincing in this narcissistic MGM romp. She plays a teen who disrupts the lives of movie stars with her best friend (Jean Porter) for just one more autograph, please! Clark Gable does not appear in this confection, because he's off at war. But countless other MGM contract players have been drafted into service, such as Lana Turner, Greer Garson, and Walter Pidgeon.

Miss Weidler can be forgiven for being at that awkward stage of life known as adolescence, though someone has tried to glamorize her a bit too much in order to be taken seriously as an average American girl in this picture. But what is most distressing is that she has received direction that allows her to run the gamut from silly to sillier. And to say she is over-acting on occasion is putting it mildly. Secondary star Porter is not much better, and at times her Texas accent seems to rub off on Weidler, who hails from Eagle Rock, California.

Several noteworthy character actors are present, but their talents are largely wasted. Agnes Moorehead as an out-dated governess has probably her most thankless role ever, and is permitted to shriek like Fanny Amberson in one of her other pictures. Edward Arnold, as Pop, tries valiantly but seems almost grandfatherly.

There are several subplots, some more entertaining than others. But this writer was distracted by the fact that some of the stories were recycled from other MGM films, as were some of the sets. The kitchen and the dining room seem to have been left over from The Affairs of Martha, an earlier Weidler production.

Speaking of Weidler, how come her character doesn't recognize the fact that the actors playing her family are also under contract to MGM? And how come Weidler's character doesn't realize that Weidler herself is an MGM actress? I guess that would mean she would have to ask herself for her own autograph, and then there wouldn't be much need to haunt hotels and cruise the streets until Mr. Gable returns to town.

Life with the Lyons

[wes-connors · 8/10 · 30 November 2014]

For her fan letter, star-crazy New York teenager Virginia Weidler (as Joan Lyons) receives a thank you note from pretty MGM starlet Lana Turner. A zealous collector of movie star signatures, Ms. Weidler gets even more excited when she learns Greer Garson is in town. Weidler and best friend Jean Porter (as Patricia "Patsy" Drew) are determined to get Garson's autograph. In the process, they meet Walter Pidgeon. Weidler is dramatic enough for father Edward Arnold (as Burton V. Lyons to call her "Miss Garbo," but gossipy governess Agnes Moorehead (as "Feather" Featherstone) is the one who falls into a dead faint when Robert Taylor visits. Weidler also crosses paths with William Powell, after seeing him at the movies with boyfriend Raymond Roe (as Schuyler) and little brother Scotty Beckett (as Junior)...

"The Youngest Profession" is autograph collecting, but this story does have another plot...

Encouraged by Ms. Moorehead, Weidler becomes convinced that her wealthy lawyer father is having an affair with pretty secretary Ann Ayars (as Susan Thayer). Weidler sets out to save her parents' marriage by hiring John Carroll (as "Hercules") to show an interest in mother Marta Linden (as Edith Lyons). All of this is typical situation comedy material, and it's done well by Edward Buzzell and the MGM crew. Raising it significantly above average are some winning performances and witty dialogue. Weidler and Ms. Porter handle the material like younger versions of Lucille Ball and Vivian Vance. Since "I Love Lucy" hadn't yet hit the TV stands, that's a high compliment. Moreover, the Lyons family might have made a good movie series, had the girls been a few years younger.

******** The Youngest Profession (2/26/43) Edward Buzzell ~ Virginia Weidler, Jean Porter, Edward Arnold, Agnes Moorehead