‘MISTY’ & THE SALTWATER COWBOYS

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Based on the bonds a brother and sister develop with semi-feral ponies, Misty is set on two islands off Virginia where the famous annual Pony Swim has been conducted for almost 100 years.

Misty of Chincoteague by Marguerite Henry was first published in 1947 and is still in print today. Misty the movie was made by Twentieth Century Fox in 1961 and starred Pam Smith, a young unknown who remained that way for much of her life in pictures, and David Ladd –son of diminutive ’50s star Alan Ladd, who was famous for playing heroic roles in elevated shoes.

‘Misty of Chincoteague’ by Marguerite Henry was first published in 1947. Image supplied.

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It was directed by James B. Clark whose most popular work focused on people’s relationships with animals – A Dog of Flanders, The Sad Horse, Flipper and Island of the Blue Dolphins. The Misty story centres on an orphaned brother and sister, Paul and Maureen, and the lessons they learn from the local wild ponies. Historically, these were believed to have descended centuries ago from shipwrecked horses from Spain; it’s also quite likely many could be the ancestors of those released by settlers to avoid paying livestock taxes.

Actors David Ladd and Pam Smith (who played orphaned brother and sister, Paul and Maureen) with the real Misty. Image supplied.

The film’s backdrop is the annual event in Virginia known as Pony Penning Week where the herd swims about 800 metres across a narrow strait from their home on Assateague to nearby Chincoteague Island. Volunteers on horseback, known as “saltwater cowboys”, help with the round-up and the Pony Swim. An auction is held in support of the local fire department which maintains the herd and each year the mob is thinned down when about 70 weaned colts and yearlings are sold. (A culling exercise far more acceptable than the random maiming of brumbies from light aircraft.)

In the movie the siblings befriend the elusive ‘Phantom’ and later become the owners of both her and the mare’s palomino pinto foal, ‘Misty’. These two were real Chincoteague Ponies tamed by local residents. As a foal Misty was played by a dark brown one named Emma, bleached blonde to match the colouring of the novel’s namesake.

In posters and on DVD covers prominence is given to a chestnut with a flaxen mane who was actually Misty’s mother. Not that it mattered to the punters who either didn’t notice or didn’t care – they just loved the film, which is still popular 60 years later.

Chincoteague’s Island Theatre screens the movie for free during Pony Penning Week – in front of this cinema are Misty’s front hoof prints in cement! She had been too old to play herself during filming but made an appearance during the premiere. She was led down Main Street which was when she “autographed” the pavement.

Misty’s front hoof prints in cement outside of Chincoteague’s Island Theatre.

During pre-production, Les Hilton, trainer of such equine stars as Mr Ed, Francis the Talking Mule and Flicka, spent several weeks working with the native ponies on location.

Only six professional actors were hired, the rest were locals. The two juvenile leads looked naturally at ease around the ponies. According to movie reports, young David Ladd was “a skilled horseman” having ridden extensively on the family ranch with his father and sister. That often means the actor knew which side to mount and could stay on if the horse blew its nose but, in Ladd’s case, he really was accomplished and showcased his abilities in several movies and TV shows.

There are a few scenes featuring the kids galloping which have clearly been “undercranked” (sped up). Most of the audience would have been none the wiser, and those who did spot it wouldn’t have cared.

“Most of the audience would
have been none the wiser…”

TRIVIA

In 1990, author Marguerite Henry formed The Misty of Chincoteague Foundation to preserve the memory of the palomino pinto and promote reading among children. It also raised money to erect a life-size bronze statue of the mare as a foal, which stands on Chincoteague Island; a replica is at Kentucky Horse Park.

Misty with writer Marguerite Henry. Image supplied.

ABOUT CHINCOTEAGUE PONIES

Misty was a traditional or classic kind of Chincoteague pony. A sound, solid, stocky type with some flaws typical in range-bred horses, such as having a blocky head; being long-backed; a bit downhill, with a very thick neck and prominent withers; no freedom of the jowls; a bit straight in the hinds; having a sloped croup, with a middle-to-low-set tail; and being a little over at the shoulder. Overall, the mare possessed a versatile and sturdy build, with short, thick legs. Many of her descendants are today used as riding and show ponies and Misty has become one of the most famous and prominent foundation broodmares in the Chincoteague breed.

TRIVIA

Misty, who was 12 hands and a windsucker, died in her sleep on October 16, 1972. She was 26.

Misty making a personal appearance.

The book and movie brought widespread publicity to the remote and isolated islands. The world got to learn about their traditions, culture and natural beauty, and there was a big boost in tourism. This year will mark the 99th anniversary of Pony Penning, traditionally held on the last Wednesday and Thursday of July, and thousands are expected to come and watch the swim and the auction. (Some might even pop into the Island Theatre to watch a free screening of the movie!)

The region’s wild ponies continue to live in their natural environment on Assateague as the island is protected from development. Good to know.

The film’s backdrop is the annual event in Virginia known as ‘Pony Penning Week’ where the herd swims a narrow straight from its home on Assateague Island to nearby Chincoteague Island. Images supplied.

The region’s wild ponies continue to live in their natural environment.

A REVIEW

“The movie has a sweet innocence that seems quaint by today’s standards. That’s not necessarily a criticism; in fact, it’s one of the movie’s driving charms. ‘Misty’ has a straightforward story that’s told with deliberate pacing. The camera is allowed to linger for (gasp!) longer than four seconds on its panoramic settings, and the characters are unassuming and earnest, simple and hardworking ‘folk’. There’s neither postmodern film referencing nor humorous nods to the adults here.” – DVD Review, 2020

You can stream Misty or watch it on DVD. Next time in Equestrian Life, the horses from the TV series Peaky Blinders. EQ

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