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Cast

George Segal
as Bill Denny

Elliott Gould
as Charlie Waters

Ann Prentiss
as Barbara Miller

Gwen Welles
as Susan Peters

Ed Walsh
as Lew

Joseph Walsh
as Sparkie

Vincent Palmieri
as First Bartender

Bert Remsen
as Helen Brown

Barbara London
as Lady on Bus

Barbara Ruick
as Reno Barmaid

Jay Fletcher
as Robber

Jeff Goldblum
as Lloyd Harris

Barbara Colby
as Receptionist

Vince Palmieri
as Bartender

Jack Riley
as Bartender

Alyce Passman
as Go-Go Girl

Joanne Strauss
as Mother

Sierra Bandit
as Woman at Bar

John Considine
as Man at Bar

Gene Troobnick
as Harvey

Richard Kennedy
as Used Car Salesman

John Winston
as Tenor

Bill A. Duffy
as Kenny

Eugene Troobnick
as Harvey

Mike Greene
as Reno Dealer

Tom Signorelli
as Nugie

Sharon Compton
as Nugie's Wife

Arnold Herzatein
as California Club Poker Player

Marc Cavell
as California Club Poker Player

Alvin Weissman
as California Club Poker Player

Mickey Fox
as California Club Poker Player

Carolyn Lohmann
as California Club Poker Player

Thomas "Amarillo Slim" Preston
as Reno Poker Player

Winston Lee
as Reno Poker Player

Harry Drackett
as Reno Poker Player

Thomas Hal Phillips
as Reno Poker Player

Ted Say
as Reno Poker Player

A.J. Hood
as Reno Poker Player

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Critic Reviews for California Split

Audience Reviews for California Split

• Jun 05, 2014

  <i>This review contains spoilers.</i> Surpassing the immediate comparison called <i>The Cincinnati Kid</i> (1965) in a number of ways, <i>California Split</i> can be still considered today as the most important character-analysis rendition of the nightwalker, daysleeper, risk-seeker compulsive gambler. One of Altman's most notorious film trademarks is his ability to bring realistic scenarios to life. Despite the big variety of gambling locations, social places such as pubs, and domestic settings present in the film, the minimalistic camera along with a grand screenplay and a powerful duo of leading performances from the Segal/Gould duo absorb your senses fully to the portrayed environment, where the intensity of gambling, the tension of being mugged (twice in a row) and the humor of the jokes and the naturalistic situations become pretty much tangible to the viewer. Reportedly, in these filming locations, professional gamblers and ex-drug addicts were employed instead of extras. Altman's interest in constructing realistic settings can be even highlighted with a little piece of trivia: "A number of the extras and background artists were members of Synanon which is organization for former drug addicts." <i>IMDB Trivia Section</i> With these, the extremely low probability of a winning streak like the one portrayed here (I did a mathematical approximation, and the number of zeros after the decimal point before any different number appears was very amusing) is almost completey forgiven, despite how ludicrous it is, for a simple reason: Altman's hidden ace in the hole. The two leading roles were drastically different regarding their intentions for gambling. One loved to win. One was used to lose. One was a risk-seeker, which from an Economics point of view means that he gets more satisfaction from both expected return and risk. The other wasn't. He sought the risk, but maybe subconsciously expected to lose as a form of self-punishment, as in an attempt to bring himself down to the lowest possible point of his life, which is purposely left vague. Paradoxically, he becomes disappointed after having a "winning streak", which maybe caused an epiphany in him, after realizing not only the extent of his dangerous actions and the life he is having, but also realizing the existence of an addiction. And this last point is the one that elevates the film's status to a higher significant level of quality. In case this wasn't enough, ahilariously conceived scene at an escalator with oranges involved, some curious homosexual undertones between the gambling duo, and an epically funny scene involving the discussion of the names of the Seven Dwarves add extra value to this stylish, jazzy product. 77/100
  Edgar C Super Reviewer
• Oct 27, 2011

  Altman's hilarious look at compulsive gambling is perhaps his most underrated film.
  

  Graham J Super Reviewer
• Apr 13, 2010

  I think this is one of Robert Altman's best's and it's very funny too. It's one of those all good things must come to an end pictures with two great stars. I love the way how Altman introduces me to the game of poker and gambling and the characters who overlap and talk whenever they please.
  Brian R Super Reviewer
• Mar 21, 2008

  a stellar tragicomic buddy film about compulsive gamblers. extremely natural, even by altman standards. elliott gould at his manic peak
  Stella D Super Reviewer

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