IslandGuru Who payed the critics

Nonureva Really Surprised!

Humbersi The first must-see film of the year.

Lela The tone of this movie is interesting -- the stakes are both dramatic and high, but it's balanced with a lot of fun, tongue and cheek dialogue.

wes-connors 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

dougdoepke 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.

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.

creeper 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...