ed off by his arrogant, pathological demeanor and appearance, we do not become as emotionally involved with his portrayal of Cady as we do with Mitchum’s characterization.
The original version also is more effective because it keeps the “prize” Cady wants, Sam’s daughter, away from Cady until the final scene in which she is terrorized by him. True she does encounter him earlier in the film, but her fear of him causes her to flee and she is struck by a car. However, her fear of him is hinted at, suggested. He does nothing but appear and it instills her with terror. In the Scorsese version, Cady makes romantic overtures to Nancy on the phone. He arranges a meeting with her at school and gets her stoned and then proceeds to make-out with her. He is baiting his trap by getting close to her. However, this diminishes our fear and terror psychologically. She exhibits the trepidation only of any girl fifteen who is being propositioned by a much older man.
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