{"id":43577,"date":"2020-11-23T21:59:21","date_gmt":"2020-11-23T21:59:21","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.pokerscout.com\/?p=43577"},"modified":"2020-11-24T17:30:57","modified_gmt":"2020-11-24T17:30:57","slug":"revisiting-the-classic-gambling-film-california-split-with-writer-joseph-walsh","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.pokerscout.com\/revisiting-the-classic-gambling-film-california-split-with-writer-joseph-walsh\/","title":{"rendered":"Revisiting the Classic Gambling Film \u2018California Split\u2019 With Writer Joseph Walsh"},"content":{"rendered":"

The 1974 film California Split<\/i><\/strong> is regarded by many as one of the best<\/strong> depictions of gambling in movie history. Written and co-produced by the actor Joseph Walsh<\/strong>, the film routinely ranks highly on lists of \u201cbest gambling movies\u201d ever, often at the very top<\/a>.<\/p>\n

The truth is, for gamblers who like movies, or film buffs who like to place a bet now and then, you can\u2019t do much better than California Split<\/i>.<\/p>\n

Except, perhaps, to talk to Walsh himself about his film. I had the chance recently to do just that in a call with the writer at his California home. Much like his film, the conversation was both entertaining and edifying.<\/p>\n

A couple of gambling buddies who are anything but two of a kind<\/h2>\n

In a sense, California Split<\/i> is a buddy movie, or perhaps a variation on The Odd Couple<\/em><\/strong>. It is both a comedy and a drama, mixing the playful with the serious in a way that mirrors life itself.<\/p>\n

It begins with a chance meeting between two gamblers. They are seated at the same poker table at the fictional California Club. The <\/strong>movie\u2019s setting\u00a0uncannily recreates one of the several Gardena<\/strong> poker rooms that were popular at the time. So uncannily, in fact, that Walsh notes some poker players have insisted to him over the years they played at the California Club, even though it was entirely built on a set<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

Elliott Gould<\/strong> plays Charlie Waters<\/strong>, a seemingly happy-go-lucky type always eager to place his next bet. George Segal<\/strong> portrays Charlie\u2019s new friend, Bill Denny<\/strong>, whose relationship with gambling is less certain.<\/p>\n

For Bill, gambling fills some sort of need in his life. It provides a temporary emotional fulfillment he is otherwise lacking. Charlie does not have such a problem. For Charlie, gambling doesn\u2019t serve to replace something else in his life \u2014 gambling is<\/strong> his life.<\/p>\n

California Split\u2019s place in film history<\/h2>\n

There is a great deal to praise about California Split<\/i>. Director Robert Altman<\/strong> (M*A*S*H<\/i><\/strong>, Nashville<\/i><\/strong>, The Player<\/i><\/strong>) brings to the film his signature style, often crowding the frame with a great deal of information. The crew used an experimental sound technique that involved recording eight separate audio channels. As a result, the multiple conversations in many scenes often create an appropriately casino-like atmosphere (even when not in a casino).<\/p>\n

Gould and Segal are both excellent in their roles, demonstrating tremendous chemistry despite their characters\u2019 different outlooks. Meanwhile, Walsh\u2019s episodic story provides a series of captivating and entertaining situations. These include:<\/p>\n