Misty (1961) David Ladd, Arthur O'Connell, Pam Smith, Anne Seymour Movie Review

Misty (1961)   3/53/53/53/53/5

Certificate

N/A

Length

91 mins

Genre

Director


Pam Smith and David Ladd in Misty (1961)

Misty Eyed Memories

Paul (David Ladd) and Maureen Beebe (Pam Smith) love listening to their grandpa (Arthur O'Connell) when he tells them stories about the wild ponies of Assateague island and especially stories of The Phantom. The Phantom is special as each year the Chincoteague fire department round up so many ponies and auction them off but The Phantom has always escaped being round up. So Paul and Maureen set about earning the money so when the ponies are auctioned off they can buy one and hopefully if The Phantom is caught they will buy her. But maybe The Phantom has a little surprise all of her own for the siblings.

"Misty" is the sort of movie very few will have heard off but many who will have will also have fond memories of watching it as a child back in 1961 and just at the mention of the name will be hit by a wave of nostalgia which washes over them and a yearning to see it again. I wasn't even born back in 1961 when "Misty" was released and so it doesn't have that sort of pull over me or my emotions but can recognize how the wholesome, charming nature of this horse movie would have for those who did see it back then.

Now there are two things which go on in "Misty" with one of those being a homage to an aged old tradition of rounding up wild ponies and selling them at auction. And I am sure those who witnessed these sorts of round ups as children will appreciate it being shown on film. The other thing is that "Misty" is a wholesome piece of family drama as we have a brother and sister who not only get on but they also set about raising the money together to buy the thing they want themselves rather than nagging a grown up for it, jeez how times have changed. We also get some pleasant shots of wildlife and most importantly a lot of life lessons in the process explained via simple rules for tending to horses. And it is both fun and charming with some humour, some drama but generally just a pleasant look at life back then.

What this all boils down to is that "Misty" is a bit of nostalgic, wholesome family entertainment which is sure to bring joy to those who remember watching this at the pictures when they were young. And for those who didn't, well you certainly can see how times have changed when it comes to respect for elders and children working for what they want rather than expecting it.


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