Alfred Hitchcock was born on August 13, 1899, and in honor of the famed auteur’s 116th birthday, we’ve declared it Hitchcock Week on Decider. Click here to follow our coverage.
In addition to being a master of suspense, Alfred Hitchcock was also a master of cameo appearances. Even in his films with limited settings, such as Rope or Lifeboat, the director got creative with where he could place himself in the frame. His signature cameo appearances have inspired many directors to copy him, most notably Wes Craven and Martin Scorsese. Some of Hitchcock’s appearances are subtle, while others are right in your face. Let’s take a look at his most discreet cameos to his most obvious.
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'Rope' (1948): This is a tough one, but that's Hitchcock down there walking with a gal and swinging a rolled up newspaper at his side.YouTube
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'The Trouble With Harry' (1955): Here, Hitchcock is just going for a stroll. He's to the left of the limo. YouTube
'Lifeboat' (1944): Check out the before and after photo in the newspaper. Everett Collection
'The Man Who Knew Too Much' (1956): Here, the director doesn't show his face, but we can easily spot the back of his head. the.hitchcock.zone.com
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'The Paradine Case' (1947): One of the many cameos where the director is holding a musical instrument. Here, it's a cello. YouTube
'Spellbound' (1945): Here he is coming out of an elevator, puffing away and carrying a violin case.YouTube
'Vertigo' (1958): Holding a trumpet case as he walks through the frame.mubi.com
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'Strangers on a Train' (1951): Another instrument. This time it's a double bass.YouTube
'Psycho' (1960): Hitchcock can be seen through the office window right before Janet Leigh walks into the frame.the.hitchcock.zone.com
'Frenzy' (1972): A man of many hats, here he is in a bowler. the.hitchcock.zone.com
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'Topaz' (1969): Prior to shaking the man's hand, Hitchcock was wheelchair-bound in this cameo. the.hitchcock.zone.com
'The Birds' (1963): Exiting the shop as Tippy Hedren walks in . Those puppies are actually his.the.hitchcock.zone .com
'Dial M for Murder' (1954): Hitchcock is on the left in the class reunion photo.doriantb.blogspot.com
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'North by Northwest' (1959): Right after his credit appears onscreen in the beginning of the film, Hitchcock runs into the frame and misses the bus by a second. empireonline.com
'Rear Window' (1954): When James Stewart is peeping on his neighbors, he comes across Hitchcock. Some say he breaks the fourth wall here and looks straight at the audience.
'Notorious' (1946): Tipping one back. YouTube
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'Marnie' (1964): Stepping out into the hotel hallway. YouTube
'Blackmail' (1929): In his longest cameo at 19 seconds long, Hitchcock is seen on the left being pestered by a little boy.thehitchcockreport.wordpress.com
'Stage Fright' (1950): Hitchcock makes a full turn around after he passes Jane Wyman.YouTube
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'To Catch a Thief' (1955): Sitting next to Cary Grant on a bus in his most blatant appearance.auroasginjoint.com
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