1935 – 1936

My sister Olie worked for Paramount Studios on Yonge Street south of Dundas.¹ She was instrumental in helping me get employment hand colouring 8” x 10” sepia photographs. The price advertised was 99 cents for the first photograph, but customers were sent to high pressure salesmen to place their order. The salesmen talked them into buying extra photographs at a higher cost. Very few people got away with just paying 99 cents.

There were about eight or ten female employees colouring photographs ranging in ages from about 20 to 30. We worked in a large room, and we each had a table of our own to work on. We were free to talk. Nobody paid much attention to us as long as we completed all the orders. It was a wonderful change from my unforgettable job in Kirkland Lake.             

We all enjoyed each other’s company, had discussions, told jokes and laughed a lot. My sister was quiet. I sat behind her and knew she was laughing when her shoulders rose up and down. She also contributed to the fun with her dry sense of humour. One big happy family!

The oldest woman we worked with had a pill for any and all ailments, even a sore toe as I remember. Another employee would come in every morning and tell us a funny story that happened on a streetcar on her way to work. I was taken in for the longest time and wondered why my streetcar trips were always uneventful.

We worked long hours, but I didn’t mind. My wages were $14.00 a week plus money for dinner when we worked overtime. 

Once the Xmas rush was over, I found work at Unique Art Studio.

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¹ Paramount Studios was located in the Ryrie Building, 229 Yonge Street at the corner of Shuter Street in Toronto. The company is still in business today under the name New Paramount Studios with locations in Toronto and Mississauga. Return

² Source: Taylor History. Return