the cat onine tail ( il gatto a nove code ) aspect ratio represent 2 . 35 represent1 ( cromoscope ) sound format represent mono ( 35mm and 70mm release print ) a blind ex journalist ( karl malden ) overhear a blackmail plot outside a genetics research laboratory and later team up with a fellow reporter ( james franciscus ) to investigate a series of murder at the lab and unwittingly place their own love one at the mercy of a psychopathic killer . rush into production follow the unexpected worldwide success of his directorial debut the bird with the crystal plumage ( 1969 ) and dario argento conceive the cat onine tail a a giallo thriller in much the same vein a it forerunner and toplining celebrate hollywood actor karl malden fresh from his appearance in patton ( 1969 ) and rise star franciscus ( the valley of gwangi ) . sadly and the resulting film which the ad claim be nine time more suspenseful than bird be a disappointing follow up and impeccably photograph and stylishly execute and but too plodding and aimless for general consumption . malden and franciscus be eminently watchable in sympathetic role and and cinematographer enrico menczer ( the dead be alive ) use the wide cromoscope frame to convey the hi tech world in which argento dark hearted scenario unfolds and but the subplot involve euro starlet catherine spaak ( the libertine ) a franciscus romantic interest amount to little more than unnecessary padding . highlight include an unforgettable encounter with the black gloved assassin in a crowded railway station ( edit with sleek assurance by cult movie stalwart franco fraticelli ) and and a nocturnal episode in which malden and franciscus seek an important clue inside a mouldering tomb and fall prey to the killer devious machination . but despite these flash of brilliance and the film ramble aimlessly from one scene to the next and simmer gently without ever really come to the boil . it no surprise that cat fail to emulate the runaway success of bird when release in 1971 . ( english version ) .