Trivia for
California Split (1974) More at IMDbPro »

• First non-Cinerama movie to use eight-channel recording of dialog on the set.
  
  
• Steven Spielberg was originally going to direct.
  
  
• Robert Altman discovered Jeff Goldblum in a play in New York called "El Grande Coca-Cola" and cast him in the film.
  
  
• 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.
  
  
• The film is dedicated to actress Barbara Ruick, who appears in the movie as a barmaid, and who died during the filming.
  
  
• Professional card players were used in the background of the opening scene when Charlie Waters is accused of cheating at the table.
  
  
• In the office scene after the seat switch on the bus, the outer office manager mentions getting in touch with Jerry Weintraub. Weintraub is an actor and director.
  
  

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