12 records – page 1 of 1.
Digney Family fonds
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/permalink/museumvideo10597
- Repository
- Burnaby Village Museum
- Date
- [between 1934 and 1964] (date of originals), copied in 2016 and 2019
- Collection/Fonds
- Digney Family fonds
- Description Level
- Fonds
- Physical Description
- 7 mp4 videos (approx. 3hr., 18 min.) : digital, 23 fps
- Storage Location
- Digital only
- Scope and Content
- Fonds consists of various short films created by Andy Digney and his son Ernest "Dig" Digney. Films include; a compilation of Burnaby content shot by Andy Digney and narrated by Lisa Codd (Curator of Burnaby Village Museum) along with a collection of six films shot on 8 mm film. Film content inclu…
- Repository
- Burnaby Village Museum
- Date
- [between 1934 and 1964] (date of originals), copied in 2016 and 2019
- Collection/Fonds
- Digney Family fonds
- Description Level
- Fonds
- Accession Code
- BV019.18
- Storage Location
- Digital only
- Physical Description
- 7 mp4 videos (approx. 3hr., 18 min.) : digital, 23 fps
- Material Details
- Films were digitized in 2019 from original 8 mm format
- Formats
- mp4
- Media Type
- Moving Images
- Access Restriction
- No restrictions
- Reproduction Restriction
- May be restricted by third party rights
- Scope and Content
- Fonds consists of various short films created by Andy Digney and his son Ernest "Dig" Digney. Films include; a compilation of Burnaby content shot by Andy Digney and narrated by Lisa Codd (Curator of Burnaby Village Museum) along with a collection of six films shot on 8 mm film. Film content includes footage of members of the Digney family and friends in Burnaby; the Digney homes on Bonsor Avenue and Kaymar Drive; construction of the Digney Bowling Alley and the Simpsons-Sears building; Lawn bowling at Central Park as well as various family events, gatherings, vacations and trips. Films are arranged and described at item level.
- History/Biography
- Andy Digney was born in London, England on July 27, 1886. His given names were Andrew Charles and in 1905, he immigrated with his elder brother to Raymore Saskatchewan and worked on a farm. In 1914, he met and married Alice Swan and in 1920 they had their one and only child, Ernest ('Dig'). The young family lived in Beatty Saskatchewan where they ran a small general store with a pool hall over the top. Andy sold the store and they moved to Carberry Manitoba where Andy worked selling lightening rods and hanging wallpaper. At this time he met and formed a partnership with someone who owned a hand cranked move projector and in the evenings, he and his wife, traveled to church halls in neighbouring towns showing movies. Eventually, he purchased his own movie projector and opened a small theatre in Carberry. He worked odd jobs during the daytime and projected movies in his small theatre at night. Eventually he made enough money to move to Brandon, Manitoba where he purchased a restaurant which he turned into a theatre with living quarters above. Andy called the theatre 'The Oak' since the mighty oak was strong and stood forever. After starting the first Oak Theatre in Brandon, Manitoba when talking pictures came along, Andy Digney, his wife Alice and son Ernest ('Dig') moved to Burnaby in 1936 and chose the site of their new theatre and home at the corner of Kingsway and Marlborough. The Oak Theatre - which opened on August 4, 1937 - was hailed as an artistic masterpiece for its ultra modern white stucco exterior, floodlights and pink-and-green neon marquee. The interior featured a mirrored ceiling, fireplace, and aquarium and had a colour scheme of orchid, royal blue, silver and black. Andy was a very involved member of the Burnaby community becoming the founding president of the Lion's club and the chairman of the committee raising money for war bonds during World War II. In 1944, Andy suffered a severe heart attack, forcing him to retire, so in 1945 he sold the theatre to Odeon Theatres of Canada who continued to operate at this location until 1968 when competition forced its closure and demolition. Andy and his family relocated to a house at 2698 Bonsor Avenue (after 1959-6521 Bonsor Ave.) on 3/4 acres where he spent much of his time cultivating a lovely garden. In about 1946, Andy was approached by the B.C. Midget Auto Racing Association, who were looking for a good location to race the smaller, racing cars, popular at the time. Andy was interested and purchased 10 acres of property located near the corner of Irmin Street and MacPherson Avenue and built a race track. The Digney Speedway opened on July 8, 1948 with stands that had capacity of holding 4500 people. In 1949, when the popularity of midget racing declined, Digney started racing roadsters. However, he struggled to find local drivers, and it was expensive to bring in drivers from elsewhere. In 1951 Digney found a winner: jalopy racing. Local men would buy 1930s cars and strip them down, remove the glass, and weld the doors shut. By early 1952 over forty cars were showing up for jalopy races. By the early 1950s the Speedway was well established, with coverage in the sports pages and on radio. Andy's son Ernest Digney (also known as Dig) worked at the race track but moved away with his wife in 1951 to work in Seattle. Dig and his wife Joyce, along with their two young sons, Paul and Bruce returned to Burnaby in 1953 moving into a 550 square foot apartment located above the Digney Speedway restrooms. In 1954 Simpson Sears built a large store on Kingsway and their parking lot came up to the back garden of the family home on Bonsor Avenue. Andy thought of building small stores on his property but in the end decided to build a bowling alley, clearing out his beautiful garden. The Digney Bowl opened on August 19,1955 and Andy Digney, his wife Alice, son 'Dig' and daughter in law Joyce all worked at both the Speedway and the Bowling Alley. In 1956 Andy decided to finally retire and sold the bowling alley and home to his son 'Dig' which he paid for over time. 'Dig' and his family moved into the house on Bonsor Avenue and ran the bowling alley until their son Bruce took over in 1980. Andy Digney died in England in 1964 while on his world tour. His wife Alice died on June 3, 1982 and their son, Ernest ('Dig') died November 27, 2009.
- Notes
- Title based on contents of fonds
- Names
- Digney, Alice
- Digney, Andy
- Digney, Bruce
- Digney, Dorothy
- Digney, Ernest Frank "Dig"
- Digney, Paul
- Digney, Joyce
- Geographic Access
- Burnaby
- Burnaby - 6521 Bonsor Avenue
- Burnaby - Kaymar Drive
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Date
- [between 1936 and 1948]
- Collection/Fonds
- Digney Family fonds
- Description Level
- Item
- Physical Description
- 1 film clip (11 min., 17sec.) :digital, b&w, col., si.
- Item No.
- 562-003-11
- Storage Location
- 56-5-1-3
- Scope and Content
- Item is a digitized silent colour film segment identified as Reel 11. Film opens with colour footage of the Tacoma Daffodil Parade and switches to some black and white and colour footage of the Vancouver Diamond Jubilee Parade starting from the Toronto Dominion Bank located at Hastings Street and C…
1 Video
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Date
- [between 1936 and 1948]
- Collection/Fonds
- Digney Family fonds
- Description Level
- Item
- Item No.
- 562-003-11
- Accession Number
- 2014-04
- Storage Location
- 56-5-1-3
- Physical Description
- 1 film clip (11 min., 17sec.) :digital, b&w, col., si.
- Media Type
- Moving Images
- Access Restriction
- No restrictions
- Reproduction Restriction
- May be restricted by third party rights
- Scope and Content
- Item is a digitized silent colour film segment identified as Reel 11. Film opens with colour footage of the Tacoma Daffodil Parade and switches to some black and white and colour footage of the Vancouver Diamond Jubilee Parade starting from the Toronto Dominion Bank located at Hastings Street and Cambie Street. The Queen appears in a calvicade at the beginning of the parade. The footage soon switches to the Vancouver PNC Parade in 1946 celebrating 50 years of progress.
- Notes
- Title based on contents of film
- Creator
- Andy Digney
- Subjects
- Events - Parades
- Geographic Access
- Vancouver
- United States of America - Washington State
Video Tracks
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Paul Digney and family
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/permalink/archivevideo85250
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Date
- [between 1948 and 1949]
- Collection/Fonds
- Digney Family fonds
- Description Level
- Item
- Physical Description
- 1 film clip (10 min., 21 sec.) : digital, col., si.
- Item No.
- 562-003-13
- Storage Location
- 56-5-1-3
- Scope and Content
- Item is a digitized silent colour film segment identified as Reel 13. Film provides footage of Paul Digney as a young child as he interacts with family members and pet dogs at the Digney family home on Bonsor Avenue in Burnaby. The film contains views of the Digney family home, yard and neighborhoo…
1 Video
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Date
- [between 1948 and 1949]
- Collection/Fonds
- Digney Family fonds
- Description Level
- Item
- Item No.
- 562-003-13
- Accession Number
- 2014-04
- Storage Location
- 56-5-1-3
- Physical Description
- 1 film clip (10 min., 21 sec.) : digital, col., si.
- Media Type
- Moving Images
- Access Restriction
- No restrictions
- Reproduction Restriction
- May be restricted by third party rights
- Scope and Content
- Item is a digitized silent colour film segment identified as Reel 13. Film provides footage of Paul Digney as a young child as he interacts with family members and pet dogs at the Digney family home on Bonsor Avenue in Burnaby. The film contains views of the Digney family home, yard and neighborhood in summer and winter time. Some of the footage shows some wear.
- Notes
- Title based on contents of film
- Creator
- Andy Digney
- Geographic Access
- Burnaby - Bonsor Avenue
- Historic Neighbourhood
- Central Park (Historic Neighbourhood)
- Planning Study Area
- Maywood Area
Video Tracks
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San Francisco Trip
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/permalink/archivevideo85312
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Date
- [between 1935 and 1952]
- Collection/Fonds
- Digney Family fonds
- Description Level
- Item
- Physical Description
- 1 film clip ( 9 min., 43 sec.) : digital, b&w, col., si.
- Item No.
- 562-003-18
- Storage Location
- 56-5-1-3
- Scope and Content
- Item is a digitized silent film segment identified as Reel 18 and contains footage interchanging between colour and black and white, showing the Digney family trip to San Francisco and California. The footage starts off rather poor. It provides views of; the islands surrounding San Francisco; cactu…
1 Video
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Date
- [between 1935 and 1952]
- Collection/Fonds
- Digney Family fonds
- Description Level
- Item
- Item No.
- 562-003-18
- Accession Number
- 2014-04
- Storage Location
- 56-5-1-3
- Physical Description
- 1 film clip ( 9 min., 43 sec.) : digital, b&w, col., si.
- Media Type
- Moving Images
- Access Restriction
- No restrictions
- Reproduction Restriction
- May be restricted by third party rights
- Scope and Content
- Item is a digitized silent film segment identified as Reel 18 and contains footage interchanging between colour and black and white, showing the Digney family trip to San Francisco and California. The footage starts off rather poor. It provides views of; the islands surrounding San Francisco; cactus gardens; the Pismo Beach zoo; a Circus; the Aurora Speedway in Seattle; a beach; garden sculptures; views from Telegraph Hill; clearing a California hwy and closes with Paul, Joyce and Dot Digney.
- Notes
- Title based on contents of film
- Creator
- Andy Digney
Video Tracks
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Galiano Island, Oak Theatre and Calgary
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/permalink/archivevideo85241
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Date
- [between 1939 and 1941]
- Collection/Fonds
- Digney Family fonds
- Description Level
- Item
- Physical Description
- 1 film clip (9 min., 51 sec.) : digital, col., si.
- Item No.
- 562-003-7
- Storage Location
- 56-5-1-3
- Scope and Content
- Item is a silent digitized colour film segment identified as Reel 7. The film segment opens with footage of the shores of Galiano Island and soon switches to a game of table tennis and a boat ride up Burrard Inlet with Grannie Swan and company. The boat ride continues to the marina at Horseshoe Bay…
1 Video
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Date
- [between 1939 and 1941]
- Collection/Fonds
- Digney Family fonds
- Description Level
- Item
- Item No.
- 562-003-7
- Accession Number
- 2014-04
- Storage Location
- 56-5-1-3
- Physical Description
- 1 film clip (9 min., 51 sec.) : digital, col., si.
- Media Type
- Moving Images
- Access Restriction
- No restrictions
- Reproduction Restriction
- May be restricted by third party rights
- Scope and Content
- Item is a silent digitized colour film segment identified as Reel 7. The film segment opens with footage of the shores of Galiano Island and soon switches to a game of table tennis and a boat ride up Burrard Inlet with Grannie Swan and company. The boat ride continues to the marina at Horseshoe Bay where the family goes ashore. This footage is followed with a dark segment of footage of a paegant at the Oak Theatre in 1941 and the gardens of the Oak Theatre. The film has a break and continues with footage of the Digney family travels to the Calgary Breweries, Calgary Zoo, and the Calgary Stampede parade and fairgrounds, Alberta, closing with footage of the Rockies and Rogers Pass.
- Notes
- Title based on contents of film
- Creator
- Andy Digney
- Subjects
- Animals - Birds
- Events - Parades
- Geographic Access
- Burnaby - Burrard Inlet
- Historic Neighbourhood
- Central Park (Historic Neighbourhood)
- Planning Study Area
- Kingsway-Beresford Area
Video Tracks
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Digney family in Burnaby
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/permalink/archivevideo85249
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Date
- [between 1939 and 1959]
- Collection/Fonds
- Digney Family fonds
- Description Level
- Item
- Physical Description
- 1 film clip (5 min., 17sec.) : digital, col., si.
- Item No.
- 562-003-12
- Storage Location
- 56-5-1-3
- Scope and Content
- Item is a digitized film colour segment identified as Reel 12. The film is a compilation of Digney family events. The film opens with children Paul and Bruce Digney running around the Digney family yard at their home on Bonsor Avenue with Andy and Ernest (Dig) Digney looking on. This is followed by…
1 Video
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Date
- [between 1939 and 1959]
- Collection/Fonds
- Digney Family fonds
- Description Level
- Item
- Item No.
- 562-003-12
- Accession Number
- 2014-04
- Storage Location
- 56-5-1-3
- Physical Description
- 1 film clip (5 min., 17sec.) : digital, col., si.
- Media Type
- Moving Images
- Access Restriction
- No restrictions
- Reproduction Restriction
- May be restricted by third party rights
- Scope and Content
- Item is a digitized film colour segment identified as Reel 12. The film is a compilation of Digney family events. The film opens with children Paul and Bruce Digney running around the Digney family yard at their home on Bonsor Avenue with Andy and Ernest (Dig) Digney looking on. This is followed by interspersed footage of the family's pet dog Nero and puppies along with some brief glimpses of the Royal visit (King George VI and Queen Elizabeth) and cavilicade in 1939 along Kingsway. The film then switches to footage of Digney family Christmas festivities, a cat playing with a fish in a bowl and summer time at Pelican Lake in the 1940s and ends with a dog playing with a ball.
- Notes
- Title based on contents of film
- Creator
- Andy Digney
- Geographic Access
- Burnaby - Bonsor Avenue
- Burnaby - Kingsway
- Historic Neighbourhood
- Central Park (Historic Neighbourhood)
- Planning Study Area
- Maywood Area
Video Tracks
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Digney family and the Oak Theatre gardens
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/permalink/archivevideo85251
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Date
- [between 1940 and 1944]
- Collection/Fonds
- Digney Family fonds
- Description Level
- Item
- Physical Description
- 1 film clip (10 min., 12 sec.) : digital, b&w, col., si.
- Item No.
- 562-003-14
- Storage Location
- 56-5-1-3
- Scope and Content
- Item is a digitized silent film segment identified as Reel 14. The film opens in with the Digney family in their yard and garden and Grandma Swan's funeral (Royal Oak Cemetary). The remainder of the footage provides views of the gardens surrounding the Oak Theatre and includes footage of a wedding,…
1 Video
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Date
- [between 1940 and 1944]
- Collection/Fonds
- Digney Family fonds
- Description Level
- Item
- Item No.
- 562-003-14
- Accession Number
- 2014-04
- Storage Location
- 56-5-1-3
- Physical Description
- 1 film clip (10 min., 12 sec.) : digital, b&w, col., si.
- Media Type
- Moving Images
- Access Restriction
- No restrictions
- Reproduction Restriction
- May be restricted by third party rights
- Scope and Content
- Item is a digitized silent film segment identified as Reel 14. The film opens in with the Digney family in their yard and garden and Grandma Swan's funeral (Royal Oak Cemetary). The remainder of the footage provides views of the gardens surrounding the Oak Theatre and includes footage of a wedding, family pets at play, men and women playing badminton, views of both the interior and exterior of the Oak Theatre including female ushers. The film then moves on to a War Bond Drive and parade along Kingsway followed by more views of the Oak Theatre gardens.
- Notes
- Title based on contents of film
- Creator
- Andy Digney
- Geographic Access
- Burnaby - 5000 Block Kingsway
- Historic Neighbourhood
- Central Park (Historic Neighbourhood)
- Planning Study Area
- Marlborough Area
Video Tracks
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Digney family at Bonsor Avenue and family outings
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/permalink/archivevideo85309
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Date
- [between 1946 and 1947]
- Collection/Fonds
- Digney Family fonds
- Description Level
- Item
- Physical Description
- 1 film clip (13 min., 10 sec.) : digital,col., si.
- Item No.
- 562-003-15
- Storage Location
- 56-5-1-3
- Scope and Content
- Item is a digitized silent colour film segment identified as Reel 15. Film footage opens with Andy and Alice Digney in the yard of the Digney family home on Bonsor Avenue and their son Ernest Frank (Dig) and his wife Dorothy (Dot) with thier infant son Paul at age 6 months and later as a toddler wi…
1 Video
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Date
- [between 1946 and 1947]
- Collection/Fonds
- Digney Family fonds
- Description Level
- Item
- Item No.
- 562-003-15
- Accession Number
- 2014-04
- Storage Location
- 56-5-1-3
- Physical Description
- 1 film clip (13 min., 10 sec.) : digital,col., si.
- Media Type
- Moving Images
- Access Restriction
- No restrictions
- Reproduction Restriction
- May be restricted by third party rights
- Scope and Content
- Item is a digitized silent colour film segment identified as Reel 15. Film footage opens with Andy and Alice Digney in the yard of the Digney family home on Bonsor Avenue and their son Ernest Frank (Dig) and his wife Dorothy (Dot) with thier infant son Paul at age 6 months and later as a toddler with a variety of family members. Footage also includes a view of Prince George, family members with Elephants and ponies from the Bible Brothers Circus, the Crystal Pool and Butchart Gardens in Victoria. The film closes with Paul, grandpa Dig and the family dog, Nero back in the yard of their home on Bonsor Avenue.
- Notes
- Title based on contents of film
- Creator
- Andy Digney
- Geographic Access
- Burnaby - Bonsor Avenue
- British Columbia - Victoria
- Historic Neighbourhood
- Central Park (Historic Neighbourhood)
- Planning Study Area
- Maywood Area
Video Tracks
Media missing or not available.
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browser to a recent version, or update your Flash plugin.
Building and opening the Digney Speedway
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/permalink/archivevideo85334
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Date
- [between 1948 and 1949]
- Collection/Fonds
- Digney Family fonds
- Description Level
- Item
- Physical Description
- 1 film clip (10 min., 47sec.) : digital, b&w, col., si.
- Item No.
- 562-003-16
- Storage Location
- 56-5-1-3
- Scope and Content
- Item is a digitized silent film segment identified as Reel 16. The film footage shows land being cleared to make way for the Digney Speedway located near the corner of Irmin Street and MacPherson Avenue, one of the men seen in this footage clearing the land is named Lucky Fordham. The film continue…
1 Video
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Date
- [between 1948 and 1949]
- Collection/Fonds
- Digney Family fonds
- Description Level
- Item
- Item No.
- 562-003-16
- Accession Number
- 2014-04
- Storage Location
- 56-5-1-3
- Physical Description
- 1 film clip (10 min., 47sec.) : digital, b&w, col., si.
- Media Type
- Moving Images
- Access Restriction
- No restrictions
- Reproduction Restriction
- May be restricted by third party rights
- Scope and Content
- Item is a digitized silent film segment identified as Reel 16. The film footage shows land being cleared to make way for the Digney Speedway located near the corner of Irmin Street and MacPherson Avenue, one of the men seen in this footage clearing the land is named Lucky Fordham. The film continues with footage of a press dinner in the garden of Andy Digney's home on Bonsor Avenue in Burnaby and is followed with footage of the Digney Speedway in operation for the grand opening on July 8, 1948. Midget cars and jalopies (stock cars) can be seen racing on the speedway. Some of the footage of the raceway pit and races switches to black and white.The film closes with colour footage of a truck moving Lucky Fordham's house from Bonsor Ave to the speedway.
- Notes
- Title based on contents of film
- Creator
- Andy Digney
- Subjects
- Sports - Automobile Racing
- Geographic Access
- Burnaby - Bonsor Avenue
- Historic Neighbourhood
- Alta-Vista (Historic Neighbourhood)
- Central Park (Historic Neighbourhood)
- Planning Study Area
- Clinton-Glenwood Area
- Maywood Area
Video Tracks
Media missing or not available.
An unexpected error occurred.
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browser to a recent version, or update your Flash plugin.
Andy Digney Film
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/permalink/archivevideo85335
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Date
- [between 1934 and 1961]
- Collection/Fonds
- Digney Family fonds
- Description Level
- Item
- Physical Description
- 2 optical discs (approx. 2 hrs, 40 min) : digital, b&w, col., si.
- Item No.
- 562-003
- Storage Location
- 56-5-1-3
- Scope and Content
- Item is a collection of 18 short films on DVD. These films were created by Andy Digney using his 8 mm camera and provide views of the Digney family gatherings, trips, vacations at home and abroad. They also provide glimpses of Burnaby parades, celebrations and the Digney Speedway. The 18 segments h…
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Date
- [between 1934 and 1961]
- Collection/Fonds
- Digney Family fonds
- Description Level
- Item
- Item No.
- 562-003
- Accession Number
- 2014-04
- Storage Location
- 56-5-1-3
- Physical Description
- 2 optical discs (approx. 2 hrs, 40 min) : digital, b&w, col., si.
- Media Type
- Moving Images
- Access Restriction
- No restrictions
- Reproduction Restriction
- May be restricted by third party rights
- Scope and Content
- Item is a collection of 18 short films on DVD. These films were created by Andy Digney using his 8 mm camera and provide views of the Digney family gatherings, trips, vacations at home and abroad. They also provide glimpses of Burnaby parades, celebrations and the Digney Speedway. The 18 segments have all been described at item level.
- Notes
- Title based on contents of film
- The original 8mm film footage was digitized and broken down into 18 segments, reflecting the original order. Items are described as 562-003-1 : 562-003-18
- Creator
- Andy Digney
- Subjects
- Animals - Dogs
- Recreational Activities - Fishing
- Recreational Activities - Camping
- Recreational Activities - Picnics
- Geographic Features - Rivers
- Events - Parades
- Geographic Access
- Manitoba
Digney film 2 - Family in Burnaby, Construction of Sears building and wedding
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/permalink/museumvideo10598
- Repository
- Burnaby Village Museum
- Date
- [between 1934 and 1964] (date of original), copied 2019
- Collection/Fonds
- Digney Family fonds
- Description Level
- Item
- Physical Description
- 1 mp4 video (26 min., 51 sec.) : digital, 16 fps, col., si.
- Storage Location
- Digital only
- Scope and Content
- Film created by Andy Digney and his son Ernest "Dig" Digney. The film opens with scenes of different dogs playing outside; exterior of Andy and Alice Digney’s house on Kaymar Drive; interior of the Digney bowling alley with pins being reset; interior of Andy Digney’s greenhouse at his house on Kaym…
- Repository
- Burnaby Village Museum
- Date
- [between 1934 and 1964] (date of original), copied 2019
- Collection/Fonds
- Digney Family fonds
- Description Level
- Item
- Accession Code
- BV019.18.3
- Storage Location
- Digital only
- Physical Description
- 1 mp4 video (26 min., 51 sec.) : digital, 16 fps, col., si.
- Media Type
- Moving Images
- Access Restriction
- No restrictions
- Reproduction Restriction
- No known restrictions
- Scope and Content
- Film created by Andy Digney and his son Ernest "Dig" Digney. The film opens with scenes of different dogs playing outside; exterior of Andy and Alice Digney’s house on Kaymar Drive; interior of the Digney bowling alley with pins being reset; interior of Andy Digney’s greenhouse at his house on Kaymar Drive; construction of the Sears building in [1954] behind Digney home at 3698 Bonsor Street; unidentified outdoor wedding attended by the Digney's and Swans; Campbell family gathering in Victoria; gathering of friends and family inside Alice and Andy Digney’s home on Kaymar Drive before they leave for their World tour in 1964.
- Notes
- Title based on contents of film segment
- Digitized film is a copy from original 8 mm film
- Nine Film segments from this compilation are described at item level and available for viewing on Heritage Burnaby: BV019.18.3.1; BV019.18.3.5; BV019.18.3.9 to BV019.3.13 and BV019.18.3.16
- Contact Burnaby Village Museum to view entire content
- Creator
- Andy Digney
- Geographic Access
- Burnaby - Bonsor Avenue
- Burnaby - Kaymar Drive
Through the Lens of Andy Digney
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/permalink/museumvideo10099
- Repository
- Burnaby Village Museum
- Date
- [between 1934 and 1964] (date of original film), edited and narrated in 2016
- Collection/Fonds
- Digney Family fonds
- Description Level
- Item
- Physical Description
- 1 mp4 video file (12 min., 17 sec.) : digital, 23 fps, col., sd., stereo
- Scope and Content
- Burnaby resident Andy Digney captured footage of Burnaby and beyond from 1934 to 1964. This short, narrated film features a compilation of the Digney footage created and narrated by the Burnaby Village Museum. Highlights include the construction of the Oak Theatre, a Depression-era May Day workers’…
1 Video
- Repository
- Burnaby Village Museum
- Date
- [between 1934 and 1964] (date of original film), edited and narrated in 2016
- Collection/Fonds
- Digney Family fonds
- Description Level
- Item
- Accession Code
- BV019.18.1
- Physical Description
- 1 mp4 video file (12 min., 17 sec.) : digital, 23 fps, col., sd., stereo
- Material Details
- 278 MB
- Media Type
- Moving Images
- Access Restriction
- No restrictions
- Reproduction Restriction
- No known restrictions
- Scope and Content
- Burnaby resident Andy Digney captured footage of Burnaby and beyond from 1934 to 1964. This short, narrated film features a compilation of the Digney footage created and narrated by the Burnaby Village Museum. Highlights include the construction of the Oak Theatre, a Depression-era May Day workers’ parade, and visits to locations throughout the Lower Mainland, including Grouse Mountain, Burnaby’s Central Park, and the Capilano Suspension Bridge.
- History/Biography
- Andy Digney was born in London, England on July 27, 1886. His given names were Andrew Charles and in 1905, he immigrated with his elder brother to Raymore Saskatchewan and worked on a farm. In 1914, he met and married Alice Swan and in 1920 they had their one and only child, Ernest ('Dig'). The young family lived in Beatty Saskatchewan where they ran a small general store with a pool hall over the top. Andy sold the store and they moved to Carberry Manitoba where Andy worked selling lightening rods and hanging wallpaper. At this time he met and formed a partnership with someone who owned a hand cranked move projector and in the evenings, he and his wife, traveled to church halls in neighbouring towns showing movies. Eventually, he purchased his own movie projector and opened a small theatre in Carberry. He worked odd jobs during the daytime and projected movies in his small theatre at night. Eventually he made enough money to move to Brandon, Manitoba where he purchased a restaurant which he turned into a theatre with living quarters above. Andy called the theatre 'The Oak' since the mighty oak was strong and stood forever. After starting the first Oak Theatre in Brandon, Manitoba when talking pictures came along, Andy Digney, his wife Alice and son Ernest ('Dig') moved to Burnaby in 1935 and chose the site of their new theatre and home at the corner of Kingsway and Marlborough. The Oak Theatre - which opened on August 4, 1937 - was hailed as an artistic masterpiece for its ultra modern white stucco exterior, floodlights and pink-and-green neon marquee. The interior featured a mirrored ceiling, fireplace, and aquarium and had a colour scheme of orchid, royal blue, silver and black. Andy was a very involved member of the Burnaby community becoming the founding president of the Lion's club and the chairman of the committee raising money for war bonds during World War II. In 1944, Andy suffered a severe heart attack, forcing him to retire, so in 1945 he sold the theatre to Odeon Theatres of Canada who continued to operate at this location until 1968 when competition forced its closure and demolition. Andy and his family relocated to a home on Bonsor Avenue on 3/4 acres where he spent much of his time cultivating a lovely garden. In about 1946, Andy was approached by the B.C. Midget Auto Racing Association, who were looking for a good location to race the smaller, racing cars, popular at the time. Andy was interested and purchased 10 acres of property located near the corner of Irmin Street and MacPherson Avenue and built a race track. The Digney Speedway opened on July 8, 1948 with stands that had capacity of holding 4500 people. In 1949, when the popularity of midget racing declined, Digney started racing roadsters. However, he struggled to find local drivers, and it was expensive to bring in drivers from elsewhere. In 1951 Digney found a winner: jalopy racing. Local men would buy 1930s cars and strip them down, remove the glass, and weld the doors shut. By early 1952 over forty cars were showing up for jalopy races. By the early 1950s the Speedway was well established, with coverage in the sports pages and on radio. Andy's son Ernest Digney (also known as Dig) worked at the race track but moved away with his wife in 1951 to work in Seattle. Andy and his wife Joyce, along with their two young sons, Paul and Bruce returned to Burnaby in 1953 moving into a 550 square foot apartment located above the Digney Speedway restrooms. In 1954 Simpson Sears built a large store on Kingsway and their parking lot came up to the back garden of the family home on Bonsor Avenue. Andy thought of building small stores on his property but in the end decided to build a bowling alley, clearing out his beautiful garden. The Digney Bowl opened on August 19,1955 and Andy Digney, his wife Alice, son 'Dig' and daughter in law Joyce all worked at both the Speedway and the bowling alley. In 1956 Andy decided to finally retire and sold the bowling alley and home to his son 'Dig' which he paid for over time. 'Dig' and his family moved into the house on Bonsor Avenue and ran the bowling alley until their son Bruce took over in 1980. Andy Digney died in 1964 while travelling with his wife in England. His wife Alice died on June 3, 1982 and their son, Ernest ('Dig') died November 27, 2009.
- Notes
- Title based on contents
- City of Burnaby Archives holds the original Digney film masters (562.003) that this narrated segment was disseminated from
- Creator
- Andy Digney
- Geographic Access
- Burnaby - 6521 Bonsor Avenue
- Burnaby - Kingsway
Video Tracks
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