The plight of young unmarried working women was a concern in the growing cities of the early 20th century. Young, unmarried women working in cities could be tempted by the vices, neglecting their work. This film is a morality play, starring a “good” factory girl and “bad” factory girl, employed making heels for shoes at the Gutta Percha Rubber Factory in Parkdale, Toronto, where it was shot. The bad factory girl neglects her personal hygiene and diet. She’s also a poor worker. The ‘good girl’ is a model of efficiency who is promoted to ‘forelady’ and is rewarded with a budding relationship with her male supervisor. They spend time together at Grenadier Pond in what was already a City of Toronto park.

“Her Own Fault,” 1921, film, 11 minutes 38 seconds, Graphic Consultants collection, accession number 1972-0105, item number ISN 99688, Library and Archives Canada.

Film editing by David Sobel. Music by Allen Booth

Further Discussion

Strong-Boag, Veronica. "The Girl of the New Day: Canadian Working Women in the 1920s." Labour/Le Travail, vol. 4, January 1979, pp. 131-164.

Sangster, Joan. "The Softball Solution: Female Workers, Male Managers and the Operation of Paternalism at Westclox, 1923-60." Labour/Le Travail, vol. 32, Fall 1993, pp. 167-199.