I enjoyed being in movies when I was a boy. As a child you’re not acting – you believe.
Meaning of the quote
When you're a kid, you don't have to pretend to be someone else in a movie. Instead, you just act like yourself and believe the story. The actor Roddy McDowall said he really enjoyed being in movies as a child because he could be his true self, not just an actor pretending.

About Roddy McDowall
Roddy McDowall was a British and American actor who had a prolific career spanning over 60 years and 270 screen and stage roles. He achieved prominence as a child actor in films like How Green Was My Valley, My Friend Flicka, and Lassie Come Home, and later transitioned to adult roles, including playing Cornelius and Caesar in the original Planet of the Apes film series. McDowall was also a photographer, journalist, and contributed to various charities and film preservation efforts.
More quotes from Roddy McDowall
They said I couldn’t play anything but an English boy. I knew I could. So I went to New York.
British actor (1928-1998)
My whole life I’ve been trying to prove I’m not just yesterday.
British actor (1928-1998)
I can’t say I was unhappy as a child actor in films. I had a particularly wonderful time.
British actor (1928-1998)
I still have the actor’s disease. I always think I’ll never get another job.
British actor (1928-1998)
I enjoyed being in movies when I was a boy. As a child you’re not acting – you believe.
British actor (1928-1998)
I started to study, because I knew I had to learn a lot about myself as an actor; you can’t act the same as you did as a child.
British actor (1928-1998)
Fortunately, I happened to go east at a time when live television was centered in New York.
British actor (1928-1998)