Thursday, November 6, 2014

The Producer's Cameo Appearances


Even though I grew up watching Alfred Hitchcock movies, I was an adult before I learned one of their most charming little secrets. Mr. Hitchcock not only produced and directed the films, he also made cameo appearances in his works. To those paying close attention, he could be found milling among crowds of extras, or hopping on a bus, or even interacting with a character.

I'd had no idea. No one ever told me the director might show up anywhere, at any time.  Those who cared to find him just had to keep eyes open and watch. A bit of a challenge, I'm sure, in those days before videotapes and rewind buttons, back when the only way to see a movie was to go to an actual theater at the times it was shown.

In my early days of movie viewing, I never saw Mr. Hitchcock in his films. For one thing, I didn't have a very clear idea of what he looked like. For another, I had not been told to look. No one said he'd be there. If I had known, perhaps I would have taken on the hunt as a challenge:  a kind of "Where's Waldo" for those of us in the Baby Boomer generation.

Thinking of this recently, I couldn't help but make comparisons.

The One responsible for the world around us, the One who not only produces and directs but is the actual Author of life Himself, does not remain at a distance.  He doesn't stay "off screen." He is there in the simplest as well as the most profound of all our moments. He is always there, and occasionally He even lets His presence be seen.

In order to find him, however, we have to know to look.  We must be told He is here.

We also have to know what He's like. We must have some idea of His nature. How do we learn this? We spend time with Him in prayer. We read Scripture. We learn His ways through the Catechism and in writings of saints known to be with Him. We see how He relates to mankind.

If we care to find Him, we just have to keep our eyes open. It can be a bit of a challenge to do so, especially when many around us seem not to be looking for Him or thinking of Him, or even giving Him credit for the world in which He has placed us.

If we pay attention, we just might catch a glimpse of Him. Possibly in something about which we find ourselves thinking "that just can't be a coincidence."  Maybe in the sound of rain outside our window. Maybe when we open a page of Scripture. Perhaps when we see an answer to prayer.

The Producer of all we see is never far from us.  We have only to look.  

"This Son is the reflection of the Father's glory, the exact representation of the Father's being, and He sustains all things by His powerful word." (Hebrews 1:3) 



public domain photos from Wikimedia's "Hitchcock's cameo Appearances" page





8 comments:

  1. This post is so insightful and I love the comparison of Alfred Hitchcock appearing in his films briefly to those who are looking for him and our seeing God in our everyday lives. He is among us, He is sustaining everything. The truth that He wants us to move closer to Him is so beautiful and full of grace. Very interesting post Nancy!!! Thank you for these bright thoughts! God Bless...

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  2. I love this so much Nancy! What a wonderful example of God's presence in our lives. I will never watch an Alfred Hitchcock movie in the same way again. For me, it will now become a prayer and a reminder of God's never-failing presence and love in the world and in my life. Thank you!

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  3. I knew this about Alfred Hitchcock, but the spiritual analogy you make is wonderful. Yes, we need to keep our eyes open!

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  4. Well, it was sure fun just now trying to find him in those pictures! :)

    And a thought that struck me, how much modern technology, social media, and news media influence our lives. Just like we had to work to find Him and him, we need to work hard to clear away the "junk" we receive, sometimes overload, in order to find Him.

    Have a great weekend!

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    1. Oh yes, Patty - overload, indeed. Thanks for sharing this insight!

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