Ceticultsot Beautiful, moving film.

Comwayon A Disappointing Continuation

Humaira Grant It’s not bad or unwatchable but despite the amplitude of the spectacle, the end result is underwhelming.

Bea Swanson This film is so real. It treats its characters with so much care and sensitivity.

jarrodmcdonald-1 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.

MartinHafer 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.

dzkaplan 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.

jotix100 "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.