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The Cat o’ Nine Tails – 1971 Argento
- Dario Argento is back in great Giallo horror tradition just one year after his debut.
- Ennio Morricone returns working again with Argento (and though the tone is different—Morricone is another bridge between the Spaghetti Westerns and Giallo horror).
- Argento’s camera tracks forward in his now trademark point-of-view style- pushing through doors
- A marvelous cinematic and formal touch employed by Argento is the closeup of the eyeball (of the killer- not to reveal the killer’s identity of course). Argento splices to it at least eight to ten times.
- A blind man witnesses the murder (a great Karl Malden)- and of course he is a former journalist. As the POV murders rack up the “maniac theory” is suggested. They use genetic testing for a XYY gene—common in serial killers.
- De Palma certainly shares the genre (whether he is Giallo or not depends on who you talk to)- but with the split diopter (a stunner at the 78/79-minute mark- great depth of field shot with James Francisus’ Carlo in the background left- above) seedy/murderous content, tracking point of view camera movement—there are many similarities (Argento predates De Palma’s use of these).
- Though Mario Bava is the greater overall influence, one can feel Blow-Up again here just like in Argento’s The Bird with the Crystal Plumage. Here, a photo of the murder is blown up again.
- The title is about the number of suspects.
- Big, bold, beautiful gawdy 1970s wallpaper
- a stairwell showoff scene at the 60-minute mark
- poisoned milk just like Hitchcock
- flickering scene transitions just like 1969’s Easy Rider
- Recommend but not quite in the top 10 of 1971
Drake2021-11-13T13:17:36-05:00
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I think The Cat o’ Nine Tails ending with the scream from hell is much more effective and striking than the epilogue ending in The Bird with the Crystal Plumage. Actually, Argento indeed shot an epilogue for The Cat o’ Nine Tails but decided to cut it for the final version of the film. Showing growth and improvement as a director here. Another asset The Cat o’ Nine Tails has over the other films of Argento is the acting and emotional connection the audience has to the characters. The bond between Karl Malden and his granddaughter here. You really care about these characters. In contrast with the cockiness of Tony Musante in The Bird with the Crystal Plumage.
@Drake- Have you seen Four Flies on Gray Velvet (1971)?
Very atmospheric film. I think one of the most atmospheric in Argento’s whole filmography. And there are some brilliant and unforgettable sequences in this film. The ending is inspired by Zabriskie Point.
@Drake-Do you think The Cat O’ Nine Tails is Karl Malden’s best performance? How many archivable films do you have for him?
The plot is a bit complex and contrived but this is probably the most emotionally involving Argento film because of the bond between Malden and the little girl. And also probably the best film for Argento in terms of Production Design. The background is gorgeous to look at all times. With a clear dedication to red in the mise-en scene. It was yellow and blue in The Bird with the Crystal Plummage and then red again in Deep Red. The soundtrack by Morricone is a variation on his score in The Bird with the Crystal Plumage. Unique scores for sure even if I felt like this one didn’t really land in the climax.
@Malith- No- on “The Cat “‘Nine Tails” as Malden’s best performance. Seventeen (17) total archiveable films by my count without vetting his list
@Drake-What are the 17 archivable films you have for Malden? I think The Cat O’ Nine Tails is a fine performance to have as your best for an actor without a solo lead performance. In things like A Streetcar Named Desire, On the Waterfront, Patton, you come singing praise towards Brando and George C. Scott long before you get to Malden. While that’s not the case with The Cat O’ Nine Tails. He is so cool and great to watch earlier in the film and then his desperation is palpable when the girl gets stolen.
@Malith- here’s the off the cuff list: he’s stronger in Streetcar, Waterfront and Patton than he is in Nine Tails
1947- Boomerang!
1947- Kiss of Death
1950- The Gunfighter
1950- Where the Sidewalk Ends
1951- A Streetcar Named Desire
1953- I Confess
1954- On the Waterfront
1956- Baby Doll
1959- The Hanging Tree
1961- One Eyed Jacks
1962- How the West Was Won
1962- The Birdman of Alcatraz
1965- The Cincinatti Kid
1966- Nevada Smith
1967- Billion Dollar Brain
1970- Patton
1971- The Cat o’ Nine Tails