Photos From the 1961 Chincoteague Pony Penning - The Year the Movie "Misty" Was Released

  Pony Penning in 1961 took place on  July 26, 27 and 28th.  The swim was on the 26th; the Auction on Thursday; and the Swim Back on the 18th.  That was also the year that 20th-Century Fox released the movie "Misty" with Pam Smith, David Ladd, Arthur O'Connor and Anne Seymour. (I still wince when the actors try to say Chincoteague!)

Shooting a scene from the "Misty" movie in October 1960.

Anyway, in the days before Pony Penning 1961, the newspapers reported that at least 175 ponies would be brought in, and there were two different average prices quoted: that each pony is usually sold for between "$70 and $180" or "$80 and $200." The morning after the Pony Swim, newspapers reported three crowd sizes on the shore for the swim - 18,000; 30,000; and 50,000 people. It stated there was only one "incident" during the swim - that a pony had become entangled with an anchor rope and the rope was cut, allowing the pony to swim safely to shore. It was also commented upon that the tide swept the ponies "50 to 100 feet" beyond their normal Chincoteague landing spot. It was also reported that the ponies, on their way up Main Street, heading for the Carnival Grounds, were "led by an almost pure white stallion."

Crowd waiting for the ponies to swim, 26 July 1961.

On Friday, besides announcing the return swim to Assateague, between 2 and 3 in the afternoon, The Daily Press of Newport News reported that 75 ponies were sold, at lower than normal prices, bringing in a low winning bid of $47.50, and a high of $146.

Ponies arrive on Chincoteague after swimming the Assateague Channel, 1961.

On Sunday, 13 August 1961, The News Leader newspaper of Staunton, Virginia, on page 7, posted an article written by a sophomore at Robert E. Lee High School, which was a combination of a report on the "Misty" movie, and what she saw and learned at Pony Penning on Chincoteague that year. Most of the article was incorrect information, but what had me laughing was the following: "Misty now has two colts, "Fathon Wings," named after Grandpa Beebe, and "Little Wisp."..." The second foal was officially named Wisp o' Mist by Marguerite Henry, but the Beebe family called her Little Wisp.

Other photos from the 1961 Pony Swim and parade to the Carnival Grounds:

Below is a photo of Misty and her 1960 colt, Phantom Wings.  The Staunton, VA

newspaper The News Leader, printed on 13 August 1961 with their caption (below it):

And here are a few undated Pony Penning photos: