Headlines in June called Montreal the “sex tourism capital of North America,” but the Canadian province has always been famous for its brothels. The Quebec city became a destination for boozy good times after the First World War when prohibition swept the United States. By the 1940s, Montreal was Canada’s Sin City — a place where gangsters, gamblers, and prostitutes mingled without worry. Police presence was eventually increased to appease morality groups, but small fines and lack of jail time reflected a corrupt system. Most lawbreakers had their operations back in business shortly after being raided.
Archives de la Ville de Montréal unearthed a collection of mug shots from that time period (spotted on Dangerous Minds), featuring the madams and prostitutes who were arrested. Their grinning, vampy lips and cocked, pencil-thin brows tell us all we really need to know. As one of the descriptions reveals, many of the police officers making the busts were the same men who frequented the brothels.
Image credit: Archives de la Ville de Montréal
“Mary Shepperd, arrested as part of an investigation in connection with prostitution.”
Image credit: Archives de la Ville de Montréal
“Annie Parker, who was arrested in connection with an investigation in connection with prostitution.”
Image credit: Archives de la Ville de Montréal
“Ruby Taylor, stopped at 1225 Bullion 1 May 1942 as part of an investigation in connection with prostitution.”
Image credit: Archives de la Ville de Montréal
“Fleurette Dubois, arrested for keeping a brothel at 1225 Bullion.”
Image credit: Archives de la Ville de Montréal
“Martin White, a servant arrested 8 May 1940 for keeping a brothel.”
Image credit: Archives de la Ville de Montréal
“Anna Labelle, aka Mme Émile Beauchamp, the most powerful madam in Montreal during World War II. She would drive to the courthouse in a Cadillac, wrapped in mink. Her clients were often the same policemen who arrested her.”
Image credit: Archives de la Ville de Montréal
“Irene Lavallée, arrested in connection with an investigation in connection with prostitution.”
Image credit: Archives de la Ville de Montréal
“Jeanine Lebrun, maid, arrested 11 April 1940 for keeping a brothel.”
Image credit: Archives de la Ville de Montréal
“Madeleine Gagnon, also stopped at 1223 Bullion 16 February 1943 as part of an investigation in connection with prostitution.”
Image credit: Archives de la Ville de Montréal
“Liliane Brown, aka Ida Katz, one of the top madams in Montreal during World War II…. “