The Hitchcock Cameos

Among his many other talents, Hitchcock was also very well known for making the occasional brief cameo in his own productions. This trend actually began when he was making the film 'The Lodger'. During the filming of a scene which takes place in an office, Hitch decided to step in and become a face in the crowd. He can also be seen later in the same film during the arrest. (A rare double dose.) Soon people were looking for him to show up in just about every one of his films. Indeed it became so popular that often, the cameo would appear in the first few minutes of the feature so as not to distract from the story. And with each succeeding appearance, they would become slightly more ingenious.

Now, half the fun is trying to find where Hitchcock may show up next, but for the curious, following is a list of the known cameos and the films in which they appear.

The Lodger: during a scene in an office (back to the camera) and one of the crowd during the arrest.

Murder: appears briefly on the street. (one of many such types)

Blackmail: trying to read on the subway.

The 39 Steps: a passing pedestrian in front of the theater.

Young and Innocent: can be seen as a photographer outside of the courtroom.

The Lady Vanishes: seen at the train station smoking (very brief).

Rebecca: standing near the phone booth when Jack makes a call.

Foreign Correspondent: seen on the street (again!) reading a newspaper.

Mr & Mrs Smith: walks past David on a street.

Saboteur: standing in front of a drug store.

Shadow of a Doubt: playing cards on a train.

Lifeboat: appears in an ad for "fat reduction" on the back of a newspaper read by Gus (my personal favorite!)

Spellbound: getting off the elevator in the hotel carrying violin case.

Notorious: seen sipping champagne during the party.

The Paradine Case: carrying a cello case. (strings were probably Hitch's favorite instrument since he repeated the same basic premise for 'Strangers on a Train' and 'Spellbound').

Rope: seen on the street after opening credits. (Thanks, Dave!)

Under Capricorn: seen during the parade for the Governor and again at the Government House. (BANG! Twice the Hitch!!!)

Stage Fright: standing on the street near Eve.

Strangers on a Train: boards train carrying a string bass as Guy disembarks.

I Confess: seen at the top of the stairs immediately after opening credits.

Dial M for Murder: can be seen in photo of Tom's class reunion.

Rear Window: working on a clock in one of the apartments.

To Catch a Thief: sits to John Robie on a bus.

The Trouble with Harry: walks past Sam's paintings.

The Man Who Knew Too Much: in the outdoor marketplace watching performers.

Vertigo: crosses the street.

North by Northwest: after credits, runs to bus which closes door and leaves without him. (great!)

Psycho: standing outside Lowery real estate office in cowboy hat.

The Birds: leaves pet shop with dogs.

Marnie: leaving a room in the hotel.

Torn Curtain: sitting with a baby in the hotel lobby (did the kid leave a mess on his trousers?).

Topaz: at the airport in a wheelchair which stops and then stands and walks.

Frenzy: seen in the crowd at the beginning.

Family Plot: seen as a shadow in the office of the Registrar of Births and Deaths.

If you know of any Hitchcock cameos which may have been omitted or missed let me know!

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