California Split (1974)

Director:

Robert Altman

Writer:

Joseph Walsh (written by)

Release Date:

7 August 1974 (USA)

Genre:

Comedy | Drama

Tagline:

California Split ... being the story of two bet-on-anything guys who happily discover something called a "winning streak."

Plot:

A down on his luck gambler (George Seagal) links up with free spirit Elliot Gould at first to have some fun on...

Plot Keywords:

Poker | Casino | Los Angeles California | Roulette | Magazine

Awards:

1 nomination

Cast

George Segal	...	Bill Denny
Elliott Gould	...	Charlie Waters
Ann Prentiss	...	Barbara Miller
Gwen Welles	...	Susan Peters
Edward Walsh	...	Lew
Joseph Walsh	...	Sparkie
Bert Remsen	...	Helen Brown
Barbara London	...	Lady on the Bus
Barbara Ruick	...	Reno Barmaid
Jay Fletcher	...	Robber
Jeff Goldblum	...	Lloyd Harris
Barbara Colby	...	Receptionist
Vincent Palmieri	...	First Bartender (as Vince Palmieri)
Alyce Passman	...	Go-Go Girl
Joanne Strauss	...	Mother

Also Known As:

Jackpot!
Slide (USA) (original script title)

Runtime:

108 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color (Metrocolor)

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Sound Mix:

Mono

Certification:

Canada:14+ (Ontario) | Finland:K-16 | Norway:15 | Sweden:15 | USA:R

Filming Locations:

Reno, Nevada, USA

Company:

Columbia Pictures Corporation

Trivia:

The original ending actually spilled outside the casino. Bill leaves Charlie and hails a cab when Charlie suddenly comes out and decides to go with him so as to prove that he can walk away from gambling. However, a couple of people climb out of the waiting cab and ask Charlie how the action is, and he is drawn right back in and thus Bill leaves alone.

Goofs:

Continuity: Some of the balls hanging from Charlie's sombrero keep changing position throughout the scene.

Quotes:

Bill Denny: Everybody's named Barbara.

Movie Connections:

References The Cincinnati Kid (1965)

Split takes the whole pot

An amazing sleeper, one that you will appreciate more with each viewing (if you can find it). George Segal and the amazing Elliot Gould perfectly portray the ups and downs, the manic lifestyle that masks the unhappiness of the degenerate gambler. The energy pours off the screen in a series of seemingly free-lanced scenes. You will always remember the poker games, the basketball con, the racetrack and casinos. But most memorable are all the wonderful minor characters; the girlfriends, the bookmaker and even a thief. Most unforgettable to me are Barbara Ruick as the Reno poker game barmaid and Phyllis Shotwell as the quintessential Vegas lounge act. A movie with nonstop action filled with humor and sadness, affection and apathy, all the way to its unrelenting end!