Misty (the Movie) Shows Free Next Week

Monday through Friday next week - Pony Penning week - the Island Theatre  on Main Street, Chincoteague Island, will show the 1961 film, Misty, at 11 a.m each morning.  The movie showing is free of charge, and tickets are available on a first-come, first-serve basis.  I was 5 years old when Misty, the film, was released, and I don't remember any year that I haven't viewed it.   The four main human characters - the Beebe family - are portrayed by Hollywood actors: Anne Seymour and Arthur O'Connor play Grandma and Grandpa Beebe, while Pam Smith and David Ladd (son of Alan Ladd) played Maureen and Paul Beebe. Duke Farley appears as Fire Chief Eba Jones.  Everyone else seen on screen in the movie is from Chincoteague Island, or nearby.  A picturesque farm in Onancock, on the Chesapeake Bay, stood in for the real Beebe Ranch; and trained ponies were the fill-ins for the original Phantom, Pied Pier, and Misty.  Most islanders own a copy of Misty so they can view family members in crowd scenes - I always look for Louise Bowden Gaskins in the race scene - she's in a blue dress and is standing by the racetrack rail, until she gives way for Maureen and Paul...    Enjoy the movie Misty in the Island Theatre, or rent or buy it to watch at home.  It's a great movie, and it reminds me of the Chincoteague Island I remember growing up on.

Opening night for Misty at the Island Theatre in 1961.