California Split

1974
X
1h 48m

IMDb RATING

7.1/10

8.9K

YOUR RATING

Elliott Gould and George Segal in California Split (1974)

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Watch California Split: Drink Or Play

1 Video

91 Photos

Comedy Drama

When casual gambler Bill Denny befriends professional gambler Charlie Walters, Bill begins to mirror Charlie's life, sinking deeper and deeper into the sleazy world of gambling, where the st... Read allWhen casual gambler Bill Denny befriends professional gambler Charlie Walters, Bill begins to mirror Charlie's life, sinking deeper and deeper into the sleazy world of gambling, where the stakes keep getting bigger.When casual gambler Bill Denny befriends professional gambler Charlie Walters, Bill begins to mirror Charlie's life, sinking deeper and deeper into the sleazy world of gambling, where the stakes keep getting bigger.

See production info at IMDbPro

IMDb RATING

7.1/10

8.9K

YOUR RATING

See production info at IMDbPro

Awards
- 1 nomination total

Videos1

Clip 2:35

California Split: Drink Or Play

Photos91

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Storyline

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Did you know

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Trivia
The film is dedicated to actress Barbara Ruick who appears in the movie as a barmaid and who died on location during the filming. The end title card memorializing this reads: "FOR BARBARA 1933-1973". She was married to composer John Williams, who had worked with Robert Altman the previous year on "The Long Goodbye". It is to be noted that a great many female characters in the film are called "Barbara", possibly in tribute to Ruick.

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

Quotes
Bill Denny: Goddamnit, lady, you don't throw oranges on an escalator!

Alternate versions
The DVD cuts approximately three minutes worth of incidental scenes and bits, because the distributor was either unable or unwilling to reach an arrangement for music licensing.

Connections
Featured in The 78th Annual Academy Awards (2006)

Soundtracks
Peg o' My Heart
(uncredited)
Written by Al Bryan and Fred Fisher

User reviews61

Featured review

The best film ever about gambling

Of all Robert Altman's films, this one is the best, in my mind. Meaning it stood out the most for me and it still feels so fresh after all this time, like most of Altman's films anyway.

Even if you don't care for this director's films, watch it just for the marvelous chemistry between George Segal and Elliott Gould, two outstanding actors, and for those who want to see how real improvisation is done, watch closely how Elliott Gould does it in this movie, I guarantee you've never seen anything like it before or since. I was shaking my head in amazement at such talent, wow!

An enjoyable film, funny as hell, but pitiful, too.