Ivan Ackery: From Rainbow Lodge to Canadian Cinema Pioneer

Ivan Ackery, affectionately dubbed 'Mr. Showbiz,' made significant contributions to British Columbia's entertainment scene for more than fifty years. He was born in Bristol, England, and moved to Canada in 1914, where he advanced from usher to theatre manager. In the late 1920s, he often visited Rainbow Lodge, forming a friendship with its owners, Alex and Myrtle Philip. In 1933, Kenneth Bishop established Commonwealth Productions, creating Crimson Paradise, the first Canadian talking-picture feature film, with funding from Kathleen Dunsmuir. The film was shot at various sites, and Ackery debuted it at Victoria's Capitol Theatre on December 14, 1933. While it did not achieve commercial success, it showcased the potential for local film production. Ackery also managed Vancouver's Orpheum Theatre for over thirty years and fought against its demolition in 1973.