Romain studied theatrical set-stage design in the drama department of Carnegie Institute of Technology, where he and Jim Trittipo were enrolled at the same time. Upon graduating, Romain followed Jim to New York City, where Jim was working as a staff ABC television scenic designer on "Tales of Tomorrow" (1951-1953). Romain designed scenery for the NBC TV show "Firestone Hour", a music variety series. ABC New York sent Trittipo to the West Coast, in the late 50's, to design scenery for music, variety, game, and local programming. After the "Hollywood Palace" began the 1964 first season, in late April, Jim Trittipo was diagnosed with hepatitis, admitted to the Culver City Hospital. Jim asked the show's producer Nick Vanoff to bring Romain West, from New York to finish the show's season. Prior to the start of the fourth season, Vanoff and Harbach produced "The King Sister's" family ABC TV variety show pilot. The Hollywood Palace "Zodiac Production" team produced the pilot. When ABC TV picked up the "King Family" pilot for series, Vanoff and Harbach hired Romain as the production designer. Johnston moved West with his son Christopher, and stayed West. Romain and Jim were lifelong friends.
