We are fortunate, here in Kansas City, to still have three remaining, operational drive-in movie theaters. Pat and I still remember the fun and adventure of going to the drive-in in our jammies, playing on the playground, watching the first movie with Mom and Dad and then sacking out in the back seat while they watched the scary flick. The few times we tried to stay awake and watch the later movies with them, it resulted in nightmares for weeks. Colleen loves the adventure of the drive-in as well. There's just something special about the experience. In this project, I've tried to capture some of the fun and adventure in a 1950s era drive-in. I tried to stay as authentic to the period as I could. That took some research since I was only a child of the 50s by six months! I don't remember much from that time. The thumbnails below show only a very small portion of the entire picture. Click on the thumbnail to see the whole picture, full-size in a new window. Close the new window to return to this page.

    

 

Welcome to the Ferty Street Drive-In.	We've got three movies showing tonight. There should be something for everyone.	Here's a nice overall view of the whole layout - even though it's in 1:144 scale, it's a pretty large project.	Another overview - showing the snack bar, projection booth and ticket booth.	An overview of the other end of the layout
You can get a good look at the layout here.	A better view of the trees and landscaping	You can see the movie showing as well as the posters hanging on the fence.	The screen is backlit to add an more authentic look.	The screen contains 5 tiny LEDs and some tissue to diffuse the light across the whole screen. I think the effect works well.
Movie posters on the walls in the snack bar	The snack bar offers hamburgers, hot dogs, fries, pizza, popcorn and sodas.		A view of the prepared food.	Precooked burgers, fries and hot dogs.
Pizzas and burgers ready to serve.	Pizzas and condiments (ketchup, mustard, bowls of pickles and onions) - two napkin dispensers as well.	A view through the back window	A better shot of the popcorn machine	More posters on the wall
The Ladies' Room	All the bathroom fixtures were hand sculpted from Crayola Model Magic clay.	Posters on the walls in the restrooms, too	The Men's Room	I had to appeal to my husband for advice here, never having used a urinal myself.
Posters for the guys, too	Most of us remember the playground in front of the screen for the little ones.	A place for Dad and Grandma to sit while the children play.	Lots of folks in attendance tonight.	It's a great night - why stay in our cars?
Looks like he's got a great view.	Looks like Grandpa's trying to steal a kiss!	I love all the old cars - all of them authentic to the 1950s.	Someone brought their big dog along to watch the show.	This couple doesn't seem to realize there's a movie going on up there.
Another couple more interested in each other than in the movie.	YUM! Pepsi!!	The whole family, from the youngest to the oldest, turns out for the movie.	I had a blast researching and finding all the old movie posters from the '50s.	Oh, MY!! Some youngsters have found another way in!!
I wonder how long that hole had been there?	The road outside the theater - a nice tree lined drive - posters on the fence out here too.	More posters on the fence.	The batteries are hidden inside the screen and inside the projection booth.	One of the switches is hidden in the "electrical" room.
		A simple toggle switch. I've since found even smaller, easier to conceal switches.