I don't know how Max Cady knew Gregory Peck and his family would be in the bowling alley. But I've got another question. WHAT HAPPENED TO TELLY SAVALAS' CHARACTER??? Did I miss something?? It seemed he disappeared. First he was coming to Gregory Peck's houseboat and then...what happened to him?
Maybe I'm braindead but I didn't see Max Cady kill him. What happened??
Well, I think it could be explained. Cady was stalking one or all members of the Bowden family many times - since the town they lived in appears to be pretty small, it could not be too hard to follow them - or find them, if he looked around carefully. Studying their habits. Remember - Cady owned a car and examined the area, before he contacted Bowden.
Savalas character indeed disappeared somehow, point taken. He tried to help and support Bowden, but I think, after the trap was set, his "place" was taken by the officer that Cady later killed in the swamp. A little bit of a shame, I think. It would have been interesting to include Savalas in the showdown. However, Cady did not kill him. Hope that helps :)
Yeah, you missed something.
Savalas's character lead Cady to the houseboat (as per the plan) by going to the family home (which they correctly assumed Cady would be watching) to collect the record player and then delivering it to the houseboat. He then left the scene. He's seen heading back to the hire place as Cady lurks amongst the trees. Cady then knows where the family is.
Cady was stalking them, watching the house and the courthouse so he would know when they were at the bowling alley.
I'm a Lieutenant Detective in, uh, Homicide. That's a fancy name for murder.