Janet Leigh was a star pre-’Psycho’

Any film buff or Hitchcock fan could have told you that the headline in your obituary of Janet Leigh [by Myrna Oliver, Oct. 5], claiming that “Memorable Shower Scene in ‘Psycho’ Established Her as a Major Star,” was misleading and missed the point behind her participation in that classic movie.

If Leigh hadn’t already been an “established” star, Hitch never would have cast her as the ill-fated Marion Crane. The director’s whole idea behind an actress of Leigh’s stature playing Marion was so that audiences would be shocked by her sudden demise so early in the picture.

Preston Neal Jones

Hollywood

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Re “The Shower,” by Carina Chocano, Oct. 5: Wow! That was the most powerful, beautiful and disturbing picture you could have used of Janet Leigh.

I know that Leigh’s career encompasses so much more than that one film, one scene, and I will always be grateful for the body of work she has left behind. However, without any exaggeration, no scene in any film I have ever seen has affected me, disturbed me, more than that one.

Scott Evans

Los Angeles