I heard Argento does not even like this film... is that true?

Well put, roegcamel. It's good to read such positive comments from other people who appreciate Cat O' Nine Tails as much as I do. It too is one of my favourite Argento flicks, right up there with Deep Red and Suspiria.

As to why Argento dislikes it so much, I think you are on to something when you mentioned creative interference. And not only from the producers, but it sounds like he had even more interference from Malden and Franciscus themselves. On his radio interview, Franciscus mentions that "the script needed a lot of work" so he and Malden did some polishing on it. Maybe Dario was all like "How dare these American actors tamper with my script like this!" This might have irked him even further.

Who knows exactly what happened, but yes he really needs to get over it and stop wincing every time the movie is mentioned.

This. A thousand times this. Cat o' Nine Tails is a very well-crafted, engaging, mystery thriller. It certainly held my attention longer than any Argento flick to hit the cinemas since the early 90s.

Although the director himself has stated that he thinks Cat o' Nine Tails is one of his weaker films, it is worth remembering that this sentiment is coming from a man who has failed to produce a critical success for the better of a decade.

Personally, I'd like to see Argento make more films like those in the Animal Trilogy or Tenebre and fewer films like. . . well, pretty much everything from Trauma onward.

I watched it last night for the first time not expecting much and loved it! One of his best in my opinion and I'm a big Dario Argento fan.

He doesn't like it much because as he said, 'it doesn't have it's own character', and I kind of agree. It's good, but somewhat dull. Alot of other Giallo films by lesser known directors are far better, because they have the kind of stylish, 70's Italian chic and atmosphere we come to expect for a Giallo. Fulci outdoes Cat with Lizard in a Women's skin by an interstellar MILE. If no one here has seen it, you really should. It's a fantastic film and a huge departer for Fulci (there's barely any gore, and has a kind of trippy dreamlike style to it).

It's (Cat) is a great giallo film, but perhaps one of the least Argento-esque films he's made. He was trying to go for a more American audience after the success of the far superior Four Flies on Grey Velvet and Bird with the Crystal Plummage.

Deep Red is his masterpiece. Not just Argento's best Giallo, but perhaps the greatest Giallo ever made.

Tenebre is much, much better than Cat. How come some people think otherwise?

THE GREATEST ENEMY OF ART IS CENSORSHIP.

I thought Fransiscus was okay, but as you stated, the direction was awkward. Like people were looking for their motivation for responding as they did.