The Youngest Profession

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.

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.

"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.

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.

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...