One of the greatest and most iconic combinations of onscreen poker and bromance in cinema history is 1974’s California Split. Directed by Robert Altman with a semi-autobiographical script by Joseph Walsh, California Split was filmed in Los Angeles and was the first feature film to use the experimental eight-track sound system, helping develop Altman’s trademark of overlapping dialogue.
The film officially turned fifty a year ago, joining Netflix’s Milestones Movies: The Anniversary collection alongside titles like Roman Polanski’s Chinatown, Francis Ford Coppola’s The Conversation, Martin Scorsese’s Alice Doesn’t Live Here Anymore, and Mel Brooks’ Blazing Saddles.
Today, California Split is revered for its influence on modern gambling and bromance movies. The film, which stars George Segal and Elliott Gould, was nominated for Best Comedy at the Writers Guild of America a year after its release.
Back in the day, there had been rumors of a potential sequel. Writer Joseph Walsh completed a screenplay in 2021 for a sequel titled Lunch with Bill & Charlie. The concept was largely inspired by the 1981 movie, My Dinner with Andre, and would have reunited leads Segal and Gould from the original. Upon Segal’s death, however, Walsh ended up posting the screenplay online and releasing a tribute video to Segal with Gould.
The film remains a classic for casino film lovers today thanks to its depictions of poker, gambling, and the camaraderie between the leads. Below, we’ll look at the two key elements of California Split and how the film influenced future titles:
Poker
The film is set in 70s California and follows Segal and Gould’s characters, who share a passion for gambling. While the film follows the two venturing into different forms of gambling like blackjack, roulette, and eventually craps, poker is a focal point of the film.
Back in the 70s, California saw a rise in Indian-owned casinos. This began with one of the leaders of the Oneida tribe organizing a bingo club. Soon, other Native American tribes followed suit with their own clubs.
Today, the poker experience in California has gone digital, with an added focus on glam and luxury. Casino heist films like Ocean’s Eleven, for example, look slightly different from casinos in California Split. The rise of online poker has also transformed the poker experience in the state.
Even though online poker in California remains a gray area, many in-state players are still finding effective workarounds. This includes accessing global online poker sites. Americas Cardroom is one of the more popular options, offering players a secure alternative due to the lack of state-regulated options.
Another factor contributing to the rise of digital and online poker is changes in the regulatory environment. Most recently, Gov. Gavin Newsom signed a bill allowing casino-owning tribes in California to sue their business competitors. This will likely lead to many of the state’s physical card rooms getting legal cases and possibly shutting down operations.
Bromance
While California Split may seem like a straightforward “dude comedy” following the two leads’ gambling spree, the film is also very much a celebration of their friendship and partnership.
As the film progresses and the mischievous duo get themselves into various gambling situations, viewers also follow them deepening their connection with each other, learning to look out for each other instead of just themselves.
Years later, California Split’s bromance format remains a tried-and-tested template. There are bromance films like The Sting, starring Paul Newman and Robert Redford as partners in crime in the 70s. As mentioned, another iconic casino bromance film that makes the list is a whole franchise: Brad Pitt and George Clooney’s glamorous Oceans heist films. Today, the bromance genre spans various settings, from Toy Story to Top Gun. But the impact of California Split’s casino bromance setup sets the tone for future, modern crime-packed bromances.
Ironically, writer Joseph Walsh had previously shared stories about the casting of George Segal and and his long-time friend and fellow gambler, Elliott Gould. While the duo’s onscreen chemistry is undeniable, Walsh shared that Segal found Gould’s talent “unbelievable”, and that he was “absolutely strangling him to death”. Fortunately, it all worked out in the end, adding to the gambling film’s legacy. To help everyone get in the “gambling spirit” of the movie, director Altman also set up a couple of weeks of filming in Reno, Nevada.
If you liked this post, you can check out more of our posts on films, including our list of recent Award This! winners, from documentaries like Boutique: To Preserve And Collect to indie horrors like The Quantum Devil.
