Theoretically, one goes to the movies to escape - to not think about things other than entertainment. (Unless it's one of those Bergman things, at which time you go to the movies to see why Scandinavian clergymen, clowns and medieval knights contemplate their souls in bleak winter light.)

Either way, the comforting confines of a mom 'n' pop cinema - none of those 40-theater multiplex franchises, please - is one of the presumably eternal rewards we humans enjoy just for being alive.

Yet, I did think about some things the last time I went to the movies: How does one of these places work? Who is lurking in the projection booth or at the popcorn cooker? How does it all coordinate so that happiness is guaranteed as I settle in my seat - popcorn, Whoppers and large soft drink gathered about me?

So director of multimedia Peter Huoppi and I visited the Olde Mistick Village Art Cinemas for our latest Behind the Scenes video effort. Under the patient tutelage of second-generation owner Bill Dougherty and longtime staffers Donna Vine and Jeff Chapman, we learned there is an intricate and time-honored series of rituals involved in making a movie house work - and that, for most of the folks who choose to work there, it's an absolute labor of love:

n You don't just push a "start" button and a movie appears on the screen. There are several delivery systems, from the old-style, hand-spooled reels of film to the dreaded digital versions. Digital, according to many, is certainly convenient, but the quality of the viewing experience suffers. There is no digital at Old Mistick, which means a lot of projection room time is involved in getting the show rolling.

A typical 90-minute feature film is 12,000 feet long, and each week's features arrive, broken down in 20-minute reels, in a van from a distribution center in Salem, Mass.The projectionist then splices the reels together.

n The pre-movie announcements and trailers - the advance teaser clips of upcoming films - are stored in-house and attached by hand to the feature film. The Olde Mistick Art Cinemas, being privately owned, doesn't subject customers to advertising.

n An independent owner like Dougherty can't just dial up a film company and order any film he wants. Whereas the manager of a multiplex in a nationwide chain doesn't worry about such things - film choices and distribution are handled by corporate headquarters - Dougherty deals with the distribution and/or film companies individually, and a variety of details determines when or whether he can get a specific film.

n There is actually a live-performance theater at the Olde Mistick Village Arts Cinemas where plays are routinely staged.

n All movie popcorn is NOT the same. Donna Vine, the Paula Dean of movie popcorn, shares surprising secrets. You can try her tips at home, but your popcorn won't be as good.

Make some anyway, then turn down the lights and click on the video to learn many wondrous things. It's the next-best thing to a summer blockbuster.