The movie Misty was filmed in 1960 when the real Misty was 14 years old. The movie required young fillies so Misty was played by three; a suckling, weanling, and a yearling. The names of two of them are known. We don't know if they were Chincoteague Ponies, part Chincoteague, or other breeds. Photos of all three are below and what we've found about them. If you have any more information on these foals we'd love to share!
Emma, Misty II, and unknown.
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Baltimore Sun on November 6, 1960
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Burton's Ranch advertising being the home of movie ponies baby Misty, Phantom, and Black Comet. Photo on display at the Museum of Chincoteague Island.
Emma
The most is known about the youngest of the three. She was named Emma and was a bay (or bay silver) who was bleached to a palomino color. Her age and bleach job make her the easiest to spot while watching the movie. Movie Phantom appeared to have adopted Emma as she allowed her to nurse. Movie Phantom was encouraged to swim for the return to Assateague scene by having Emma placed in a boat out of the shot.
Emma and movie Phantom both lived at Burton's Ranch on Chincoteague. The barn she lived in is now the Country Store at Tom's Cove Campground. A Chicago Tribute article from 1965 said that she was bleached blonde in "true Hollywood fashion" but that she was again a brunette. Although it seems Emma was going by Misty as that name was hanging above her stall door.
Emma and movie Phantom both lived at Burton's Ranch on Chincoteague. The barn she lived in is now the Country Store at Tom's Cove Campground. A Chicago Tribute article from 1965 said that she was bleached blonde in "true Hollywood fashion" but that she was again a brunette. Although it seems Emma was going by Misty as that name was hanging above her stall door.
Emma and dam. Pictorial Life Story of Misty.
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Emma and movie Phantom. Pictorial Life Story of Misty.
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Emma and movie Pied Piper. Pictorial Life Story of Misty.
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Emma on the set with Marguerite Henry, Les Hilton (trainer, at head), and Ralph Beebe (holding lead). Pictorial Life Story of Misty.
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Movie Misty and Emma. The Daily Times on September 1, 1960.
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Emma and Maureen Beebe. Pictorial Life Story of Misty.
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Misty II
Misty II was described in multiple newspaper articles as a blood relative of Misty. There's no additional description as to how exactly the filly was related to Misty. She appeared alongside the real Misty at the premier of Misty on Chincoteague. She wore a tag on her halter that said "I am Misty II".
She was to be a gift to a young Caroline Kennedy but instead was offered in raffles at the June 1961 movie premier of at Byrd and State Theaters in Richmond, Virginia and August 1961 carnival in Wilkes-Barre, PA. It's presumed someone won her in the raffles and no more is known about her life. Read more about her on our page Misty's Relatives.
She was to be a gift to a young Caroline Kennedy but instead was offered in raffles at the June 1961 movie premier of at Byrd and State Theaters in Richmond, Virginia and August 1961 carnival in Wilkes-Barre, PA. It's presumed someone won her in the raffles and no more is known about her life. Read more about her on our page Misty's Relatives.
Misty II and Pam Smith. Movie promotional photo.
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Misty II and Pam Smith. Misty Makes a Movie.
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Misty II, David Ladd, and Misty. Pictorial Life Story of Misty.
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Marguerite Henry, Misty, and Misty II at Chincoteague movie premier. Media photo.
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Misty II at Chincoteague movie premier. Media photo.
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Unknown
Very little is known about the short yearling that played Misty. We only have photos and her name is unknown.
Unknown foal. Misty Makes a Movie.
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Unknown foal. Misty Makes a Movie.
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Unknown foal with Pam Smith. Life Magazine.
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