California Split (1974)

Director:

Robert Altman

Writer:

Joseph Walsh (written by)

Release Date:

7 August 1974 (USA)

Genre:

Comedy | Drama

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:

Roulette | Gambling Debt | Card Club | Used Car Dealer | Transvestism

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: Come on, Valdez! Come on, Valdez!
Charlie Waters: Who's Valdez?
Bill Denny: Valdez is the jockey!

Movie Connections:

References The Cincinnati Kid (1965)

I was lucky

I was fortunate enough to see California Split this past weekend on the big screen. The American Film Institute (AFI) Theater in the Kennedy Center is currently (February '02) having a retrospective of Altman's 70s films, and, while I had never heard of the film, I was mysteriously drawn to it. I'm glad I went. The chemistry between Gould and Segal is amazing. It's is if they've been friends their whole lives. They seemed very relaxed and care-free. The story is sad yet exciting, the dialog witty and almost innocent, and the direction is, of course, great. Plus, there is a brief scene with a very young Jeff Goldblum, who plays Segal's boss.

If you happen upon this film on TV one late night, or it's shown in a theater near you for some reason, please see it. It's a lost treasure.