This Day in Horror History: THE CHANGELING Was Released in 1980
Josh Millican
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One of the best haunted house horror movies even made turns 40-years-old today–and it still delivers! The Changeling was released on this date in 1980. The film was directed by Peter Medak and stars George C. Scott, Trish Van Devere, and Melvyn Douglas. If it’s been a while, or if you’ve yet to experience the terror of The Changeling for yourself, check out the trailer and synopsis below.
Synopsis:
Composer John Russell (George C. Scott) is vacationing with his family when a car accident kills his wife and daughter. Distraught with grief, Russell leaves his home in New York City for a giant, secluded house near Seattle. Soon Russell starts to feel the presence of a ghost, a boy who drowned in the bathtub there. Russell seeks the assistance of Claire Norman (Trish Van Devere), who led him to the house initially, in uncovering the secrets of the boy’s death.
Trivia:
The house seen in the movie in real life doesn’t and never actually did exist. The film-makers could not find a suitable mansion to use for the film so at a cost of around $200,000, the production had a Victorian gothic mansion facade attached to the front of a much more modern dwelling in a Vancouver street. This construction was used for the filming of all the exteriors of the movie’s Carmichael Mansion. The interiors of the haunted house were an elaborate group of interconnecting sets built inside a film studio in Vancouver. (Source)
The real life haunted house where the real life events apparently took place was the Henry Treat Rogers Mansion which was located at 1739 East 13th Avenue, Cheesman Park in Denver, Colorado. The house has since been demolished. (Source)
Are you a fan of The Changeling? Let us know in the comments below or on Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram! You can also carry on the convo with me personally on Twitter @josh_millican.
Categorized:News This Day in Horror
