Carbon nanotube films have been grown on cylindrical wires using chemical vapor deposition (CVD) of acetylene in a flow reactor at atmospheric pressure. It is shown here that Kanthal wires allow the controlled growth of carbon nanotube films, provided that a liquid catalyst solution containing metallic salts (Fe, Ni or Co nitrate) diluted in ethanol is deposited on the oxidized surface of the wire. Other materials such as Ni, NiCr or Mo were found to be less suitable for the controlled deposition of carbon nanotubes. We also show how the morphology and the field emission of the obtained films is influenced by the catalyst and by the temperature.