The Cat o' Nine Tails (1971)

A newspaper reporter and a retired, blind journalist try to solve a series of killings connected to a pharmaceutical company's experimental, top-secret research projects and in so doing, both become targets of the killer.

Director:

Dario Argento

Writers:

Dario Argento (based on a story by), Luigi Cozzi (based on a story by) (as Luigi Collo)

Stars:

James Franciscus, Karl Malden, Catherine Spaak

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
James Franciscus	...	Carlo Giordani
Karl Malden	...	Franco Arnò
Catherine Spaak	...	Anna Terzi
Pier Paolo Capponi	...	Police Supt. Spini
Horst Frank	...	Dr. Braun
Rada Rassimov	...	Bianca Merusi
Aldo Reggiani	...	Dr. Casoni
Carlo Alighiero	...	Dr. Calabresi
Vittorio Congia	...	Righetto (cameraman)
Ugo Fangareggi	...	Gigi the Loser
Tom Felleghy	...	Dr. Esson
Emilio Marchesini	...	Dr. Mombelli
Fulvio Mingozzi	...	Spimi's man
Corrado Olmi	...	Morsella
Pino Patti	...	Barber

Storyline

Franco Arno is a blind man that lives with his young niece and makes a living writing crossword puzzles. One night, while walking on the street, he overhears a weird conversation between two man sitting in a car parked in front of a medical institute where genetic experiments are performed. The same night someone breaks in the institute and knocks out a guard. Arno decides to investigate with the help of reporter Carlo Giordani.

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Plot Keywords:

drive in classic | blind man | blindness | female frontal nudity | female nudity | 

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Taglines:

Caught between the truth and a murderer's hand!

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Genres:

Horror | Mystery | Thriller

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Certificate:

GP

Did You Know?

Trivia

Although it's one of his most successful films, this is the least favorite of Dario Argento among his pictures.

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Goofs

The barber shaves the right side of Giordano's face twice.

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Quotes

Carlo Giordani: Sure wish we didn't have to do this at night.
Franco Arno: Did you ever hear of grave robbers working in the daytime?
Carlo Giordani: Oh, that's great, so now we're grave robbers, huh?
Franco Arno: Exciting, isn't it?

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Alternate Versions

The U.S. video release by JTC, Inc. had been cut down to 90 minutes. This was apparently done for no other purpose than to record the video at extended play on a T-30 videocassette.

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Connections

Featured in Hera Pheri (1976)

User Reviews

Comes Together Pretty Well

This is a pretty good suspense thriller. It is set up well with the blind Karl Malden and his little niece, minding their own business, soon to be embroiled in a series of murders. The reason is not known but the plot is picked up by a reporter played by James Franciscus. There are a series of twists and turns. Malden, does a nice job playing the blind man although his abilities seem a little more than is normally fathomable. The two men forge a relationship in hopes of finding, first, why the murders were being committed, then who the killer was. There are sidetracks and red herrings along the way. A mob like figure seems to be withholding information. There is the Sophia Loren look-alike. She serves more as a distraction. But, to be honest, she is what she is. There are so many avenues to explore. Some scientific research into predisposition to violence is at the center of everything. The conclusion is pretty satisfying. If there is a major criticism, it is about half and hour too long. Some good editing could have helped. But, still, it works very well, is pleasant to look at, and has plenty of excitement to keep ones attention .

Details

Country:

Italy France West Germany

Language:

English Italian

Release Date:

26 May 1971 (USA)

Also Known As:

Cat o' Nine Tails

Filming Locations:

Via Vincenzo Vela, Turin, Piedmont, Italy

Box Office

Budget:

$1,000,000 (estimated)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Seda Spettacoli, Terra-Filmkunst, Labrador Films

Technical Specs

Runtime:

112 min 90 min (cut) 32 min (Super 8-version in 2 parts)

Sound Mix:

Mono

Color:

Color (Technicolor)

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1