Clint Eastwood’s latest film “Changeling,” starring Angelina Jolie and John Malkovich, has true ties to NIU’s hometown of DeKalb.

The film tells the true story of Christine Collins of Los Angeles who, in 1928, reported her 9-year-old son Walter as missing. This took place in the midst of charges of corruption against the Los Angeles Police Department, so they were in serious need of positive publicity.

The Police Department found a boy in DeKalb; he claimed to be Walter and he was returned to his mother in California. But this boy was not Walter — he was a runaway who claimed to be Walter for a free trip to the Golden State.

Collins refused to believe the boy was her son and as a result, was placed in a psychiatric ward in the Los Angeles County General Hospital. The boy eventually admitted to not being Walter, and Collins was finally released.

It was later discovered that Walter had been murdered by a mother and son duo.

Decades after Christine Collins’ story, it was discovered again by screenwriter J. Michael Straczynski. He eventually turned it into a screenplay which was then discovered by Clint Eastwood.

Although all principal photography was done in Los Angeles, I’m curious as to how DeKalb factors into the film, if at all.

“Changeling” recently premiered at the 2008 Cannes Film Festival and was well-received. Eastwood and Jolie are receiving strong Oscar buzz for directing and acting, respectively.

Remember to look for mention of our town in the motion picture when it is released in theaters nationwide on Oct. 24.

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