The Cat o’ Nine Tails [Il gatto a nove code] *** (1971, James Franciscus, Karl Malden, Catherine Spaak) – Classic Movie Review 8151

‘As the body count increases, will no one escape the sting of the cat o’ nine tails’. Director Dario Argento’s 1971 giallo horror mystery thriller The Cat O’ Nine Tails [Il Gatto a Nove Code] stars Karl Malden, James Franciscus and Catherine Spaak, and is the second in Argento’s giallo Animal Trilogy, following The Bird with the Crystal Plumage (1970) and followed by Four Flies on Grey Velvet (1971).

Esteemed Italian cult director Argento puts a glossy coat on his violent, ordinary story about a blind ex-reporter Franco Arno (Malden) getting journalist Carlo Giordani (Franciscus)’s help to solve a case of industrial spying and murder most foul. Catherine Spaak plays Anna Terzi and Pier Paolo Capponi plays Police Superintendent Spini.

The pacy, stylish handling largely hides the thought that the tale is hardly credible at all. Erico Menczer’s flashy widescreen and Technicolor cinematography and Ennio Morricone’s lively score are very considerable assets, with Italy location filming in Turin in Piedmont and in Rome, and studio work in Cinecittà Studios, Rome. The hideous dubbing and cutting are problems in the 90 minutes international version.

Also in the cast are Carlo Alighiero, Horst Frank, Pier Paolo Capponi, Rada Rassimov, Aldo Reggiani, Vittorio Congia, Ugo Fangareggi, Tom Felleghy, Emilio Marchesini, Umberto Raho, Cinzia De Carolis and Werner Pochath.

The Cat O’ Nine Tails [Il Gatto a Nove Code] is directed by Dario Argento, runs 112 minutes, or 90 minutes (cut), is made by Seda Spettacoli, Terra-Filmkunst, Labrador Films and Transconta, is released by Titanus (1971) (Italy), Constantin Film (1971) (West Germany), Mondial Films (1971) (France) and National General Pictures (1971) (US), is written by Dario Argento, based on a story by Dario Argento, Luigi Cozzi, Dardano Sacchetti, is shot in Technicolor and widescreen by Erico Menczer, is produced by Salvatore Argento, is scored by Ennio Morricone and is designed by Carlo Leva.

It is Argento’s least favourite of his own films, despite its commercial success.

© Derek Winnert 2019 Classic Movie Review 8151

Check out more reviews on http://derekwinnert.com