Robert Walker as Bruno was excellent. He had elegance and humor, and the proper fondness for his mother.

Ripley is married. And he's not lost. He has his feet on the ground.

I was in New York. Hitchcock was in California. He rang me to make a report on his progress and said, I'm having trouble. I've just sacked my second screenwriter.

I don't think Ripley is gay. He appreciates good looks in other men, that's true. But he's married in later books. I'm not saying he's very strong in the sex department. But he makes it in bed with his wife.

I only know it takes weeks to recover, as if one had been in a car accident.

That wasn't a bad price for a first book. My agent upped it as much as possible. I was 27 and had nothing behind me. I was working like a fool to earn a living and pay for my apartment.