This film was shot at Durant Motors in Leaside, then a suburb of Toronto. Technology and the organization of production varied significantly between plants and manufacturers in this period, when the industry was still relatively young. This record of production is sufficiently detailed to document hazards and capture how the organization of work was based on gender and age. For example, the upholstery department featured in the film is comprised entirely of women. Both Taylorism and craft methods coexist in the same factory. Just a few years after this film was made union sought to organize factories in this industry. The plant was eventually absorbed by Frigidaire in 1937.

“Your Future Car,” 1924, film, 12 minutes 26 seconds, Graphic Consultants collection, accession number 1972-0105, Item number ISN 185644, Library and Archives Canada.

Film editing by David Sobel. Musical direction by Ewen Farncombe.

Songs:

Phil Green And His Orchestra - Hit Parade of 1922 pt.1

Bar Harbour Society Orchestra - Do It Again (1922)

Further Discussion

Manley, John. "Communists and Autoworkers: The Struggle for Industrial Unionism in the Canadian Automobile Industry, 1925-36." Labour/Le Travail, vol. 17, Spring 1986, pp. 105-133.

Keeran, Roger R. "Communist Influence in the Automobile Industry, 1920–1933: Paving the Way for an Industrial Union." Labor History, vol. 20, no. 2, 1979, pp. 189-225.