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Behind the Curtain
When moviegoers entered the Theatre, their attention was naturally drawn to the screen.
Few thought about the projection booth above the audience or the people working behind the scenes to keep each performance running smoothly. Yet the story of the theater is not only the story of movies and audiences. It is also the story of the men and women whose work made every show possible.
Among them were individuals whose lives reflected both the risks and opportunities connected with the motion picture industry.
Life Behind the Projector
Operating a movie theater during the first half of the twentieth century required far more than simply starting a film.
Projectionists threaded reels through complex machinery, monitored sound systems, adjusted lighting, and ensured that every performance proceeded without interruption. Long before modern digital equipment, successful movie presentation depended heavily upon the skill and attention of theater employees.
Most patrons never saw the projectionists, but they were essential to every show.
Tragedy in the Projection Booth
One of the most heartbreaking chapters in the history of Sandwich theaters occurred in September 1928.
Frank Boget, a longtime theater operator associated with the American Theatre, was overcome by fumes while attempting to extinguish a fire in the projection room. Although the blaze itself was reportedly small, the incident proved fatal.
Boget’s death shocked the community and was widely reported in area newspapers. The tragedy served as a reminder of the hazards faced by theater employees during an era when motion picture equipment and film materials required constant attention and care.
His loss came during a period of transition for Sandwich’s downtown theater, shortly before the American Theatre became the Avalon Theatre.
From Sandwich to Hollywood
Not every story connected with the projection booth ended in tragedy.
In February 1947, the Sandwich Free Press reported that State Theatre projectionist David Orr was leaving Sandwich for Hollywood, California. According to the newspaper, Orr had accepted a position with Warner Bros. Studios, one of the most important motion picture companies in the world.
For local moviegoers, the news must have been remarkable. A man who had spent his days operating projectors in a small-town theater was heading to the center of the American film industry.
Clarence Reynolds was named as Orr’s replacement at the State Theatre.
A Connection to a Larger World
Stories such as David Orr’s remind us that Sandwich was never entirely isolated from the wider world.
Movies arrived from Hollywood every week, bringing distant places and famous stars to Railroad Street. Occasionally, however, the connection worked in the opposite direction. Local residents could leave Sandwich and become part of the industry that entertained millions of people across the nation.
For a projectionist from a small-town theater, it was an extraordinary opportunity.
Remembering the People Behind the Screen
The history of the State Theatre is often told through its films, special events, and audiences.
Yet the theater also depended upon projectionists, managers, ticket sellers, ushers, and countless others whose work remained largely unseen. Their efforts helped create memories that lasted for generations.
From the tragic loss of Frank Boget to David Orr’s journey to Hollywood, the people behind the curtain played an important role in the story of Sandwich’s downtown theaters.
Their contributions deserve to be remembered.
Facts at a Glance
Featured Individuals
- Frank Boget
- David Orr
- Clarence Reynolds
Key Dates
- September 1928 Death of Frank Boget following a projection-room fire
- February 1947 David Orr leaves for Warner Bros. Studios in Hollywood
Locations
- American Theatre
- Avalon Theatre
- State Theatre
- Railroad Street, Sandwich, Illinois
Why It Matters
- Preserves stories of theater employees
- Documents both tragedy and success behind the scenes
- Connects Sandwich to the American motion picture industry
Continue the Story
Research & Sources
- Sandwich Free Press, September 1928
- Sandwich Free Press, February 13, 1947
- State Theatre newspaper accounts and advertisements
- Historic Sandwich research collection