Just finished watching this movie on Netflix.
Loved the performances, but wondered why George Sanders would attempt to kill Barbara Stanwyck, he had no motive: her accusations against him had all been discounted as the ravings of an unstable mind.
He was safe and in the clear.
If she had turned up dead, suspicion would've surely landed on the George Sanders character, even with a phony "suicide" note.
I was wondering exactly the same thing. All he had to do was to do nothing. I guess they couldn't have tied things up properly in the movie if he did nothing.
Also, what was the meaning of his telling Larry that he thinks she is trying to kill herself and he saw her standing near the window? I think this alerted Larry that this guy was really the murderer. Didn't he say that her story and your story aren't the same?
Finally, when he offered monetary assistance. This really alerted Larry. He told his partner to "beware of Greeks bearing gifts." I even googled on the phrase. It has to do with the Trojan horse story. It was used by the Greeks to gain entry to the city of Troy.
Everything about the creepy Richter should have tipped off, Larry. Larry just isn't all that bright.
But then that's how they used to make cop movies. The criminals were erratic geniuses, but would always get caught in the end by none-too-bright cops who were endlessly persistent and thorough.