California Split

1974
R
1h 48m

IMDb RATING

7.1/10

8.7K

YOUR RATING

Elliott Gould and George Segal in California Split (1974)

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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

8.7K

YOUR RATING

See production info at IMDbPro

Awards
- 1 nomination

Videos1

Clip 2:35

Watch 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 reviews59

Review

Featured review

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.