Good story, Not enough for a whole film

Best movie ever!

While it is a pity that the story wasn't told with more visual finesse, this is trivial compared to our real-world problems. It takes a good movie to put that into perspective.

Very good movie overall, highly recommended. Most of the negative reviews don't have any merit and are all pollitically based. Give this movie a chance at least, and it might give you a different perspective.

"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.

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

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.

"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.