Category Archives: Changeling

December 14, 1931: Voices — Christine Collins

Posted on December 14, 2025 by lmharnisch

December 14, 1931: Christine Collins, whose tragedy inspired the film ‘Changeling,’ writes to prison officials about trying to find work for her husband, Walter, in case he is paroled. Continue reading →

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November 22, 1930: Voices — Christine Collins

Posted on November 22, 2025 by lmharnisch

November 22, 1930: The Rev. R.P. “Fighting Bob” Shuler urges parole for Walter Collins, imprisoned husband of Christine Collins. Continue reading →

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Voices — Christine Collins, November 14, 1930

Posted on November 14, 2025 by lmharnisch

November 14, 1930: James Borton writes to the warden about the parole hearing for Christine Collins’ husband, Walter. Continue reading →

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Voices — Christine Collins, November 12, 1930

Posted on November 12, 2025 by lmharnisch

“Changeling” letters, November 12, 1930: Mrs. James Borton writes to the prison board, seeking leniency for Walter Collins. Continue reading →

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Voices — Christine Collins, November 10, 1930

Posted on November 10, 2025 by lmharnisch

November 10, 1930: Aimee Dunne, Christine Collins’ sister, writes to the prison board about parole for Walter Collins. Continue reading →

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Voices — Christine Collins, November 10, 1930

Posted on November 10, 2025 by lmharnisch

November 10, 1930: The Los Angeles County district attorney lists Walter Collins’ offenses in a letter to the prison board. Continue reading →

Posted in #courts, Changeling, Film, Hollywood, LAPD | 2 Comments

Voices — Christine Collins, November 9, 1930

Posted on November 9, 2025 by lmharnisch

November 9, 1930: The woman whose tragedy inspired the movie ‘Changeling’ tells her story in her own words. Continue reading →

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Voices — Christine Collins, November 6, 1930

Posted on November 6, 2025 by lmharnisch

November 6, 1930: A letter written on behalf of Christine Collins, whose son was killed by Gordon Northcott, as portrayed in the movie Changeling. Continue reading →

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Changeling Stories — Part 4

Posted on August 7, 2011 by lmharnisch

Los Angeles Times file photo Louisa Northcott, the mother of Gordon Northcott, isn’t portrayed in “Changeling,” but played a key role in the actual case. Above, she’s booked in jail. Los Angeles Times file photo Louisa Northcott with one of … Continue reading →

Posted in 1928, Changeling, Crime and Courts, Film, Homicide | Tagged , | 3 Comments

Changeling Stories — Part 3

Posted on August 6, 2011 by lmharnisch

Photograph by Tony Rivetti Jr. / Universal PicturesAbove, Colm Feore as Police Chief James Davis, “Changeling,” set in 1928. Los Angeles Times file photoAbove, Police Chief James Davis, 1926. Northcott signs confession. I don’t care much for the press passes … Continue reading →

Posted in 1928, Changeling, Crime and Courts, Film, Hollywood, Homicide | Tagged , | 1 Comment

Changeling Stories — Part 2

Posted on August 5, 2011 by lmharnisch

The “Enigma Boy” who fooled police into believing that he was Walter Collins is identified as Arthur Hutchins Jr. of Iowa. Read Part I of The Times reports on the story that formed the basis of “Changeling.” Enigma Boy identified. … Continue reading →

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Changeling Stories — Part 1

Posted on August 4, 2011 by lmharnisch

Police Capt. Jones and LAPD officers search the lake in Lincoln Park for the body of Walter Collins, Los Angeles Times, April 6, 1928. The boy claiming to be Walter Collins poses with Christine Collins, Aug. 18, 1928 Several regular … Continue reading →

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Jury Duty

Posted on March 24, 2010 by lmharnisch

Notice: I’m on jury duty, so posting will be light until it’s over.

Posted in #courts, Changeling | 2 Comments

Robber Holds Up Streetcar

Posted on March 12, 2010 by lmharnisch

March 12, 1910: This story reminds me of Walter Collins’ streetcar robberies, but those didn’t occur until 1923. In fact, a streetcar conductor killed a robber in 1908.

Posted in Changeling, Robberies, Transportation | 1 Comment

Dear ‘Changeling’ Fans

Posted on February 26, 2009 by lmharnisch

Dear "Changeling" fans, The Daily Mirror appreciates your interest and feedback. Some of you may wonder why your comments aren’t posted. The reason is that the Daily Mirror is dedicated to not spreading misinformation and some of your posts have … Continue reading →

Posted in Changeling, Film, Hollywood | 3 Comments

Changeling Articles

Posted on February 18, 2009 by lmharnisch

The boy claiming to be Walter Collins poses with Christine Collins, Aug. 18, 1928 Note: Typepad’s indexing feature is a little off. Here are the "Changeling" stories appearing in the Daily Mirror: Christine Collins’ letters All "Changeling" stories Part 1  … Continue reading →

Posted in Changeling, Film, Hollywood | 2 Comments

Voices — Christine Collins, January 12, 1933

Posted on February 11, 2009 by lmharnisch

And so we complete our journey through the official documents telling the unfortunate saga of Walter and Christine Collins. I heard from a number of Daily Mirror readers who enjoyed the trek (scanning all these documents was more labor than … Continue reading →

Posted in #courts, Changeling, Film, Hollywood, LAPD | 6 Comments

Voices — Christine Collins, January 11, 1933

Posted on February 10, 2009 by lmharnisch
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Voices — Christine Collins, September 29, 1932

Posted on February 9, 2009 by lmharnisch
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Voices — Christine Collins, September 25, 1932

Posted on February 8, 2009 by lmharnisch
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