This production captures the stone construction of what is now called the “Whitney Block”, part of the Government of Ontario buildings at Queen’s Park.

The social control of children was a growing concern in the nineteenth and early twentieth century. This film opens with young children playing on the sidewalk, unsupervised. To ensure a healthy environment and avoid “criminal propensities” in school age children, several playgrounds and recreation centres are funded by a private philanthropist.

The sudden death of Thomas Stanley, a successful but ‘extravagant’ man leaves his wife, son, and daughter in difficult circumstances. They search for boarders to help make ends meet. What follows is a morality tale about the importance of properly addressing letters and parcels. The consequences of not doing so are wide-reaching and in some cases, extreme. But everything works out in the end

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.

Fruit production in the Niagara Region is featured. Young women dubbed “Farmerettes” love the job of fruit picking. Their demeanor suggests nothing of the exploitation discussed in Carmela Patrias’s work on the Niagara Fruit Region on the period. Fresh fruit is sold at market, while some of is processed into jams, which are in turn sold throughout the region in various venues. Children love fresh fruit!

While the film refers to “business” the location of the story is the Postal Service, at the central sorting station at the foot of Bay Street in Toronto. Conveyors are featured assisting the sorting and movement of mail, with the employees working to the pace of the conveyors.