Cat O'Nine Tails (1971)
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73% of critics liked it
(15 reviews) -
52% of users liked it
(3,970 ratings)
In this flawed mystery-thriller from flamboyant horror director Dario Argento, Karl Malden portrays a blind man who joins forces with a reporter (James Franciscus) to catch a killer with an extra chromosome. Much of the action occurs at a research hospital, where the killer seeks to conceal the… More In this flawed mystery-thriller from flamboyant horror director Dario Argento, Karl Malden portrays a blind man who joins forces with a reporter (James Franciscus) to catch a killer with an extra chromosome. Much of the action occurs at a research hospital, where the killer seeks to conceal the original crime with still more murders. Easily the least interesting of Argento's early thrillers (which include the superior L'Uccello dalle Piume di Cristallo and Quattro Mosche di Velluto Grigio), this film seems almost a parody of the genre at times, with preposterous coincidences and bogus Freudian analysis substituting for genuine mystery. Those familiar with the director's work may find it difficult to believe that Argento was responsible, but some undeniable stylistic touches -- such as one victim's wallpaper resembling a blood-splattered wall -- reveal that even a genius can make bad films. Ennio Morricone's soundtrack and a cast including Catherine Spaak and Pier Paolo Capponi offer little relief. The American version is missing approximately twenty minutes. ~ Robert Firsching, Rovi
- Directed By
- Dario Argento
- Written By
- Dario Argento, Dardano Sacchetti
- Genres
- Drama, Horror, Art House & International, Mystery & Suspense
- In Theaters
- Feb 11, 1971 Wide
Critic Reviews
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Donald J. Levit, ReelTalk Movie Reviews
A tall and slimmer Karl Malden stands out, but even with a rooftop chase, the conclusion and revelation are abrupt.
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James Kendrick, Q Network Film Desk
if it is Argento's weakest early effort, it is only because he was still trying to find his voice, experimenting with different techniques and gradually learning just how far he could push the envelope.
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Fernando F. Croce, CinePassion
Uncanny
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Beth Accomando, KPBS.org
Italian 'giallo' thriller by horrormeister Dario Argento.
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Staci Layne Wilson, About.com
Dario Argento giallo is the cat's meow.
See more critic ratings and reviews on Rotten Tomatoes
Fresh (60% or more critics rated the movie positively)
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Cast
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Carlo Alighiero
as Dr. Calabresi
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Pier Paolo Capponi
as Police Superintendent Spimi
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Tino Carraro
as Prof. Terzi
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Tom Felleghy
as Dr. Esson
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Horst Frank
as Dr. Braun
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Karl Malden
as Franco Arno
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Werner Pochath
as Manuel
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Rada Rassimov
as Bianca Merusi
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Catherine Spaak
as Anna Terzi
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Cinzia De Carolis
as Lori
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James Franciscus
as Carlo Giordani
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Corrado Olmi
as Morsella
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Aldo Reggiani
as Dr. Casoni
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Vittorio Congia
as Righetto
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Emilio Marchesini
as Dr. Mombelli