The Oldest Profession

The Oldest Profession (French: Le Plus Vieux Métier du monde) is a 1967 internationally co-produced comedy film. It features contributions from six different film directors, each one doing a segment on prostitution through the ages.[1]

This article is about the film. For the "oldest profession" itself, see Prostitution. For the phrase, see Oldest profession (phrase).

The Oldest Profession
Film poster
Directed byClaude Autant-Lara
Mauro Bolognini
Philippe de Broca
Jean-Luc Godard
Franco Indovina
Michael Pfleghar
Produced byJoseph Bercholz
Horst Wendlandt
Written byJean Aurenche
Daniel Boulanger
Ennio Flaiano
Jean-Luc Godard
Klaus Munro
André Tabet
Georges Tabet
Edited byNino Baragli
Agnès Guillemot
Production
company
Rialto Films (Germany)
Films Gibs (France)
Release date
  • 21 April 1967 (1967-04-21)
Running time
119 minutes
CountryFrance
Germany
LanguageFrench

Plot
  • The Prehistoric Era - cavewoman Brit discovers the power of make up.
  • Roman Nights - in Ancient Rome, the Emperor visits a brothel and discovers his wife there.
  • Mademoiselle Mimi - during the French Revolution, a young man, Philibert, asks to visit prostitute Mimi while his uncle is being executed next door. He says he has no money but will inherit an estate so Mimi sleeps with him, not knowing it is all a con.
  • The Gay Nineties - in the 1890s, stripper Nini persuades an elderly banker to marry her.
  • Paris Today - in the present day, prostitute Catherine works from a car driven by her friend, Nadia. When the car is impounded, they use an ambulance instead.
  • Anticipation - in the future, a man from outer space visits Earth where prostitution has been automated and divided into its physical and sentimental aspects. He is equally unmoved by "Miss Conversation," who recites romances, and "Miss Physical," a silent bedmate, until he realizes that the mouth is one part of the body that can play a part in both aspects.

Cast
Prehistoric Era (directed by Franco Indovina)[2]
Roman Nights (directed by Mauro Bolognini)[2]
Mademoiselle Mimi (directed by Phillipe de Broca)[2]
The Gay Nineties (directed by Michael Pfleghar)[2]
Paris Today (directed by Claude Autant-Lara)[2]
Anticipation (directed by Jean-Luc Godard)[2]

Production

Raquel Welch was the only American in the cast.[3]

Release

The rights to distribute the film in the US and English-speaking Canada were purchased by Jack Harris.[4] Harris later wrote in his memoirs he was attracted by the chance to work on "a brand new film, produced like a major Hollywood picture, featuring Raquel Welch and some of the hottest female stars in the world... It was a big disappointment as a theatrical entry. However through the years, between theatres, television and home video, it has never lost is popularity and has treated me very well."[5]

The Los Angeles Times thought the film was "ruined by some of the worst dubbing in recent memory".[6]

References
  1. Canby, Vincent. "NY Times.com: The Oldest Profession". nytimes.com. Retrieved 29 January 2010.
  2. Canby, Vincent (8 November 1968). "Movie Review: The Oldest Profession". nytimes.com. Archived from the original on 26 April 2011. Retrieved 29 January 2010.
  3. "'Oldest Profession' Cast Set" Martin, Betty. Los Angeles Times 21 January 1967: 18.
  4. "PRESENTING THE FATHER OF 'THE BLOB'" Edwards, Dennis. Los Angeles Times 28 December 1980: o6.
  5. Jack H. Harris, Father of the Blob, 2015
  6. "'Oldest Profession' at the Music Hall" Thomas, Kevin. Los Angeles Times 29 June 1968: b7.
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