The Changeling House in Denver, Colorado

In 1980, George C Scott (Patton) stared in a horror movie about a haunted house called The Changeling (www.imdb.com/t...) . Even though the film was set in Seattle, it was based on a story written by Russel Hunter (www.imdb.com/n...) who claimed to have paranormal experiences in his home near Cheesman Park in Denver, CO in 1969. (See Photo)
We talk with Katie Rudolph at the Denver Public Library about her research into Hunter's story and compare it with the movie while trying to see if there is any truth to his strange and freighting story.
Katie's Research: A Denver House That Inspired a Horror Film (history.denver...)
Support the show (paypal.me/does...)

[@vixendoe6943]

The Changeling with George C. Scott is a straight up classic ghost/murder mystery. Love it.

[@traceytrotter9934]

My favorite I think!

[@chesterwilberforce9832]

I went by myself to see it in the theater because I couldn't get anybody to go with me. Great, great, movie.

[@Bran-Marie]

​@@chesterwilberforce9832 Their loss, I say! That would have been awesome to see in theaters. I first saw it with my Grandma when I was little, on VHS

[@Robbynne-k7b]

The movie THE CHANGLING with George C.Scott WAS THE BEST

[@rabidpepe]

Ok the kid in the tub and the ball on the stairs TERRIFIED me as a little kid. Lol. I don't know why that movie freaked me out so bad.

[@laurajordan7028]

The WHEELCHAIR! That terrified me!

[@pamweese4724]

You may not believe this but I watched the movie just today!

[@teresamckeown5594]

So scary and SAD all at the same time.

[@teresamckeown5594]

@@laurajordan7028and the wet ball that he threw in the river

[@latebloomingmid-liferiot566]

I'm not sure if I am more creeped out by the alleged Spirits or by a couple who would straight up replace their dead child with an orphan. Of course the lore of Cheesman Park in itself is horrifying. Thanks for the story!

[@autobug2]

It's been said that there are still over 200 bodies buried at Cheesmen Park that were never removed back in 1890's. People to this day still see ghosts there, even in broad daylight!

[@awakenedstate2769]

Actually, the changeling house was not that one. A few years ago I was doing my own research and found that this house was attributed erroneously. The actual location was at 10th and Humboldt, leveled to build one of the big apartment buildings...

[@ginagonzales8229]

The Changeling is one of my favorite horror movies. I didn't find out until earlier this year that it was based on true events. Thanks for posting this video!

[@cmcg9035]

Thanks for this! The Changeling is the scariest movie I've seen and also my favorite horror movie. Creepiest...Soundtrack...Ever. It's obvious that it's from the early 80's, but it's aged very well. I believe the red ball is the 1st time that trope was used in a horror movie. (And as an aside, the part in many ghost story movies where the characters go to the library to see what's going on is nearly always my favorite scene, except in The Changeling because so much is so creepy through the whole movie.)

[@tannaeros]

Part of the scary for me is the way Scott behaves towards the odd stuff happening. It looks like he's thinking of the mundane first, before accepting something very unmundane.

[@DebJones-dj7lz]

❤I love this movie! The Changeling, The Haunting with Julie Harris and The Others are exceptional. My husband and I traveled to Colorado, stayed for 2 days at The Stanley and also visited Cheeseman Park. We saw the Botanical building where this house stood. I don’t believe everything Mr. Hunter said about the house, but it is still a wonderfully conceived story.

[@janupczak1643]

Totally agree with your three movie choices! Shirley Jackson, who wrote The Haunting, was an incredible writer. I once read she was a favorite of Stephen King. (I believe the title of her book was actually The Haunting of Hill House) not to be confused with Hell House. I've seen The Haunting and The Changeling dozens of times and they still scare the he## out of me! Could you even believe the atrocious remake with Liam Neeson?!😝🤮

[@DebJones-dj7lz]

@@janupczak1643 I am a fan of that book. I remember as a teenager reading The Legend of Hell House and I couldn’t read it in a room alone until the very end. Creepy stuff.

[@ihaveinsomnia1]

I loved The Others!

[@chesterwilberforce9832]

Add "Ghost Story" to that list and I'm 100% in agreement with you!

[@l.l.2463]

Saw this movie in college. It was, literally, horrifying and I'm still haunted by the sounds of the "banging" and the visual explanation that the movie gives for it. (Trying not to spoil anything here for those who have not seen it.) I tried to find this movie about a year ago to show my husband, but I couldn't find it. It was a classic movie, but I don't think it's true in its entirety.

[@DebJones-dj7lz]

It’s still available on DVD.

[@dianecernak7130]

Its on youtube for free to watch now

[@l.l.2463]

@@dianecernak7130 Yes. Thank you! Found it and watched it a few weeks ago. One of the few movies I have seen in my life where I actually remembered the plot. And that was 40 years ago. Not quite as effective as it was the first time, but still well worth watching.

[@CindyMcGaughey]

When that wheelchair comes flying down the stairs in the theater was a pants peeing moment

[@maryadkins1661]

You know before Chessman park it was a cemetery.

[@josephharnett5075]

Yes it was a still is to some Extent because there are still bodies in there The city hired someone to Relocate them but it got all screwed up by greed and so it was Abandoned and some were left been by there several times and it's creepy to think of it Such is the movie poltergeist based on 😮

[@autobug2]

@@josephharnett5075 Once in a rare while people at the park find bones that rainstorms, etc. exposed from the graves. People call the cops, who have to send someone there to make sure the bone(s) are very old, and not from someone deceased more recently. I have read where a couple murders have taken place there in the 60's and 70's.

[@Ferret8185]

Yikes

[@aubreychadwickwhite8230]

Whenever a murder or fatal accident occurs in a home a residual essence of that person remains.Until that spirit finds the light it may roam forever.❤

[@haplessasshole9615]

I'd rephrase your statement to, "a residual essence of that person _can_ remain." It depends on a lot of things, really. But a suicide in the house? I guarantee some spiritual remnant sticks around. When a person dies by their own hand, it's a sure bet they had some unresolved spiritual conflicts, which will keep them tied here. But even they can be taught to move on -- and it _is_ teaching, not demanding or expelling. Source: My husband's first wife shot herself in the basement of what is now our home.

[@SMtWalkerS]

Fascinating video! I had heard something about the house in Denver and the ghost story. The movie is one of my favorites. I don't believe in ghosts, but I find the seeds of tales often exist in real tragedy. As my dear old dad used to say, "If that's not true....it SHOULD BE!"

[@Foggy_Morning]

Fabulous movie. Not to spolie, but the bangings, wheelchair, ball, are all scenes that have stayed with me for years.

[@WendyPhelps-z2r]

One of my very favorites! "My father, my father"

[@jasminetaylor34]

I always felt activity near the houses to the South of Cheeseman! And a little bit around the pavilion in the park. Although nothing too impressive. But SOOO much of Denver is haunted. You might like the Patterson Mansion. Which is now a bed and breakfast. The current owners are very happy to share stories and the Inn's history. There's A LOT! My Mom lived there in the 60's when it had been made into apartments. She had some interesting experiences there. In 2013, I worked as a nanny a block away from the mansion. I would park in my employer's apartment parking garage and practically run from my assigned spot, into the building, and down the hall to the elevator and frantically push the button to get the door to open. I always felt like someone was following close behind me. I didn't feel safe until I was inside the elevator. I also always had an image in my mind of a body in the dumpster by the entrance to the building every time I passed by it. The baby I watched would often point to the end of the hall and ask me, "Who is it?" There was no one there. Sometimes, she would just randomly wave at no one (there's something really creepy about a baby waving at no one) One night, while the kids were asleep and I was on the couch watching tv, a battery-operated toy truck turned on, revved up twice, flashed its head lights, and then turned off again. I sternly scolded the spirit I felt was in the room with me telling him that if he wanted to make his presence known, he needed to do it in a much less startling way. I got up to get a glass of water, sat back down, and it turned on again. I angrily went over to the toy and turned it upside down to take out the batteries. Only, there were no batteries in it. NOT okay! I finally got the guts to share my experiences with my employer and ask if she knew if someone had been done away with in the parking garage. I gave my impressions of what had happened, how, why, who was involved, and where it occurred. She looked shocked and said it was pretty darn close to what she'd heard had happened in the 70's from the super that still worked there and had made the dreadful discovery (very sad and I feel bad "sensationalizing" it) I have lots and lots of Denver ghost stores in many different old locations. One happened at the Molly Brown House. My daughter and I were sitting on a bench on the porch of the house listening to the tour guide when the bench we were sitting on started vibrating. We both jumped up at the same time, looked at each other, and started laughing. We exclaimed to the others that the bench had just started shaking. I guess they thought we were making it up because they just looked at us with annoyance and back at the tour guide who continued talking, which made us laugh even harder. As I'm writing this from an old building in Longmont built in the late 1800s, it felt like someone blew on my head twice. Sometimes, when I wake up in the morning, the water in my bathroom sink is on full blast, and my bathroom light won't switch on. This is my life 😂 Though I don't tolerate darker energies and have learned to effectively banish them, I don't mind the lighter benign ghostly activity anymore. It's kind of entertaining. They know my rules... don't mess with my vibe, keep your ghostly hands to yourself, no talking in spooky voices, no throwing things, and no loud footsteps or banging on the walls. And if you're being beckoned toward a warm, inviting light by a loving, peaceful presence, for God sakes, GO! No staying stuck! Once, I accidentally slept in till noon, and it felt like someone kicked my bed fairly hard to wake me. Since it allowed me to make it to pilates on time, I let it slide. But I let them know that was definitely pushing it!

[@MsMarple]

I would ask where you got your knowledge of what happened in the garage. It seems that you are drawn to these themes and spirits, and they know it. Despite your “setting boundaries”, they are ALL wicked spirit entities who are dangerous and should not be engaged or thought laughable in any way. Avoid like the plague anything having to do with spiritism, calling on God aloud when necessary. (Deuteronomy 18; Psalm 83:18). Mark my words, Ms. Taylor: this is not a game, they are NOT the roaming spirits of the deceased, and humans should avoid involvement with them entirely.

[@jademoon5103]

You’re cool

[@lmc2375]

​@@MsMarpleTheir intuition is where they got the info. When you're tapped in, you just are. I think what we do experience is based on what the mind is open to. If set in fear, you attract more to fear. Thinking all spirits are to be feared seems a bit much. Fear is a negative energy. Not a vibration I would want to ride; it's quite the opposite of the higher ideal one. Fear not, God is within. 🙏❤💫

[@jaded5559]

When the ball bounces down the stairs . . .

[@benitalozano]

And the ball is wet.

[@kristennoelle9447]

You deserve waaaayyyyy more subscribers!!! Great video!!🙏💜

[@Cabrena1]

From Denver had to watch this movie when I found out what it was about. The haunting of the cheeseman house is legendary here!

[@kathyh4804]

Many people saw and heard things at my house. Once I had my pastor and deacons with me to pray over my home we never had demon problems again. My friends were so sure it was the soul of the man that was murdered there years ago… but it wasn’t. Demons can take on form and voices of those that have died. It was very scary at first because I didn’t know what I was dealing with, my relatives and friends hated being at my beautiful home, and no one would spend the night While we were praying against all demonic beings there was like a huge sound of rushing wind, but I didn’t feel wind and shaking in the secret passage above our heads. Then never another issue

[@elizabethpenny7732]

Captivating. Two thumbs up!

[@Mahoney1]

The Changeling is my favorite horror movie! I saw it in the theater at least a half a dozen times

[@cathypeterson2420]

What would happen if when you went to library they say we arent able to give you any padt records .as it happened to me in ashland ky when i asked about 13o91/2 bath ave.

[@sarawilliamson5420]

I used to run a haunted tour for a children's shelter and made friends with someone who lived in the apartment building. He would gather stories from other residents and tell them to the kids. Then throw a red rubber ball at them from the car park when we would walk past. Good times

[@escapetoAtlanticCanada2019]

It’s my favourite horror film too. Thanks for this intel!

[@Debra-k1f]

I didn't know that it was a Colorado house 😮. Wow! Cheeseman Park is long been kown as haunted!😢

[@Debra-k1f]

The Melting Pot - restaurant is very much haunted....... it used to be a library built by a Satanic man....worth a visit, if you're hungry!

[@karengibson5418]

Wow! Great story and great story telling! New sub!! 🎉❤

[@ThatDoesntHappenEveryDay]

Thanks for subbing!

[@vickibradley4977]

Love the Movie, I am fascinated to see the House and to hear about the history.

[@GrimWillows]

It's not the house in the picture.

[@chubbybrain]

That movie was great😊

[@jodihepler6202]

It's my absolutely favorite movie. I love ghost stories, not slasher flicks.

[@Winter307]

I've always had an uncomfortable feeling in that area. You should check out the history of the Troutdale Hotel that used to be in Evergreen CO. It has quite the history and creepy vibe, unfortunately it was destroyed probably because after it was abandoned it became the best place for teenagers to sneak into at night.

[@alainacalcurian4442]

Cheeseman Park was originally a cemetery. Local folklore is that there are still some bodies buried there.

[@melissaflores4089]

Great story, I live in Greeley,like the podcast. Look into Blackforest.

[@RachelleLove81]

I live by blackforest

[@laurametheny1008]

Have you ever seen The Other? NOT The OtherS. Very good and pretty damned horrifying and scary.😳

[@islesofshoals3551]

By Thomas Tryon. Wonderful actor and author. My favorite is Harvest Home

[@JackJackIsBackBack]

Where can I read the short story by Russel Hunter?

[@Ali-gb7mf]

A great ghost story. 👀

[@rae1714]

This was one of the best horror movies i had watched and i was so disappointed the later movie with the same name was a completely different story.I started thinking i got the original name wrong.I remember that banging on the tub the most.

[@julienaranjo9687]

Botanical Gardens is the Location 😊

[@annazarr9314]

It is not a part of the botanical gardens but it is definitely haunted and there's been plenty of murders in that park.

[@julienaranjo9687]

I Belive I'm correct. Check it out. ;)

[@JerryListener]

I love that, to solve a ghost mystery, they call in a medium and use a ouija game board.

[@ninja1antelope]

Love- love the movie. It’s a family favorite.

[@lilyv2884]

Excellent podcast! I just followed you. Keep up the research!!

[@ThatDoesntHappenEveryDay]

Awesome! Thank you!

[@electrofonickitty823]

Cool, you should talk to me about Evergreen Co and Brookforest Inn sometime. I don't mind talking to anyone about it

[@DianaJewell-jf9ep]

Fantastic movie !

[@therewillbecatswithgwenhwyfar]

Cheeseman Park is well known for ghostly sightings and paranormal experiences!

[@kellymann2706]

Best scary movie

[@JoyceDick-x1o]

I take it this place is still standing? I live in Colorado but I don't go but she's not park very often

[@DebJones-dj7lz]

@@JoyceDick-x1o No, it was demolished.

[@laurabentzinger200]

That's horrible for the poor orphan at least he used the parents I guess as they used him. Yikes poor og boy.

[@sherrivandenberg5840]

No sound

[@coyoteartist]

The movie's on KZbin should someone watching this video have not seen it.

[@lindachristensen1706]

Watched it 4 times