Question

I just saw this version for the first time. Thought it was a wonderful thriller. I had seen the remake in the theater when it first came out and enjoyed it also. My question is this: why did they have to have Charles Sievers (Telly Savalas) lead Max Cady to the boat house? It was obvious Max was stalking the family regardless, and he would have followed the family to the boat house any way. Why bother with the whole cloak-and-dagger routine? Thanks so much.