The San Francisco Examiner from San Francisco, California • 31

Gambling comedy hits the jackpot for laughs "CALIFORNIA SPLIT," Columbia Pictures release; a Robert Altman film co-produced by Joseph Walshi directed by Robert Altmant written by Joseph Walsh; photOKfiphed by Paul Lohmann. With Georne Senal, Elliott Gould. Gwen Welles, Ann Prentiss. Edward Walsh. Bert Remsen.

Barbara London, Barbara Ru-ick. Barbara Colby, Joseph Walsh. Rated (tor restricted audiences). At the Alexandria. g2F.Cxamhtrr-Page 3 1 Wed, Aug.

21, 1974 Harp concert New music for grouFs of harps will make up a free concert Sunday, Sept. 8 at 5 p.m. in Grace Cathedral, on California Street at Taylor. The event will conclude a four-day workshop i avant-garde music directed by Marcella DeCray for harpists and composers. Tlie gamblers go off to Reno on an all-or-nothing spree.

Segal winds up winning 882,000 and the Reno Chamber of Commerce should be elated by the free advertising. The cliche ending has something to say about the gambler's inherent masocliism and will probably disappoint some people. But in most other respects, "California Split" comes through with exceptional vitality and a high score of pungent hilarity, mostly relating to the gambling instinct. Gould is particularly adept with throwaway lines like his crack about a poker-playing doctor, "II 'd rather lose a patient than a hand." Being a footloose type, Gould shares a flat with two hookers, delightfully played by Ann Prentiss and Gwcn Welles. There's a crazy scene showing the ladies entertaining a burly transves-tite (Bert Remsen) who calls himself Helen Brown.

Which prompts Gould to quip, "Not Helen Gurley Brown?" Altman's flair for wild and wacky, yet right on target comedy has again surfaced in this highly enjoyable film about the frustrations and pleasures of gambling. The director, as is his wont, plays his own little game, by dedicating the film MUSTFC IRMOV I ANS I tt-Sth Wonderful Week- 1 STEREOPHONIC SOUND metrocolorI to "Barbara." The role Miss Prentiss plays is, first of all, named Barbara. Then there are three Barbaras in the cast, Including Barbara Colby (ACT's former leading lady), amusingly portraying Segal's secretary. Yf SsT: A I (STKiSfft ISmtoKI Matinees And By Stanley Eichelbaum "California Split," which opens today at the Alexandria, is Robert Altaian's funniest, most satisfying film since "MASH." A comedy about gambling fever, it co-stars George Segal and Elliott Gould and is neatly served by the director's distinctively casual and vibrant style. The Informality of quasi-random dialog and unfeigned settings achieves a marvelously heightened mood of realism for Alt-man's diverting treatment the gambler's world, which In this instance ranges between the poker parlors and racetracks of Los Angeles and the casinos of Reno.

Gould, who fared so well under Altman in "MASH" and "The Long Goodbye," seems to thrive in these relaxed circumstances, which so ideally suit his free-and-easy personality and, for that matter, his slob image. He's now engagingly cast Kxclusive Francisco Fnuuccnicnt Daily At 12:30, 2:45. 8:00, Adjacent Free Parking After And All Day Sundays A Holidays 1 I itil iii 7rt-i? -1 1 Elliott Gould and George Segal take their winnings 'ititiziK (HIGHEST RATING)" Sf Wfcgfflffisi li slve gambler too uptight to function in his job as a magazine editor and forever hopeful of a winning streak to pay off his debts. Though Gould has the funnier, more appealing role, Segal endows his with the right amount of nervous energy and adapts splendidly to Altman's largely improvised style. More than a movie! CHINATOWN IS A -BRILLIANT CINERIATIC POEH IN THE STYLE OF POE.

An explosive cinema concert! HAPPENINGS CIRCA 1974!" moves I TODAY t' I TO THE ELREM Jttnatownf I.T.C. presents In association with Jewel Productions Limited mb nd Lonmar Productions, Inc. aBlakeEdwardsfilm "L-i ROBERT EVANS TOOUCTION OF ROMJN POM WRirtEN BY ROBERT I0WNE PRODUCED BY ROBERT r22 lECHtiicoLOfr panavsoit Today: SAN KAf.i, tJHryain 7r fUM Audreys Sharif "A MASTERPIECE! The Tamarind Seed NOTHING SHORT OF A MASTERPIECE! STUNNING! SLEEPER HIT OF THE YEAR! IT HAS TEN TIMES THE ENERGY OF MOST CONTEMPORARY FILMS!" Panevlslon and Eastman Color an Avco Embassy release Plus Dustin Hoffman Anna Bancroft in 'THE GRADUATE TONIGHT 'TAMARIND' AT 8:30 PM GRADUATE AT 6:30 AND IOI40 And At Selected Theatres Paul Zimmerman, Newsweek JACK NICHOLSCN FAYE DUNAWAY XHINATO EVANS DIRECTED BY ROMAN POLANSXI A PARAMOUNT PREStNIAIICN MATINEES DAILY 1 1 1 0: 1 5 iviais. ii.mi, udiiy ickiuim AND OFTEN PACE! i- flex Reed, N. Y.

Daily News "FUNNY, FANTASTIC MOVING! FRANTIC Vincent Canby, New York Times ram -n i i MUSICTONIGHT Orchestra from Formoso--Toipei Century Symphony Orchestra play Haydn, Beethoven, Griffes and Chinese works at Veterans Auditorium, Van Ness and McAllister, 7:30 p.m. Composer Charles Mode Program of his music at Exploratorium, Palace of Fine Arts, 8 p.m. Lenora Lafayette Black soprano In recital In connection with National Association of Negro Musicians convention. Jack Tar Hotel, 8 p.m. Jazz J.

R. Weitz, at the Sand Dunes, 3599 Taraval St. 9 p.m. Soul Tavares, at the Soul Train, 412 Broadway. Through Sunday.

9 p.m. Folk Irish Country, tonight and tomorrow at McGowan's Wharf Tavern, 101 Jefferson. 9 p.m. Reek 1 1 a at the Clement Mixer, 708 Clement. Through Saturday.

9:30 p.m. Rock The Jerry Ross Band, tonight and tomorrow at the Garden of Earthly Delights, 1 99 Mississippi. 9:30 p.m. Blues-Jazz Dave Alexander, at Minnie's Can-Do, 1913 Fillmore. 9 p.m.

Rock Cisum, at the Orphanage, 807 Montgomery. Through Saturday. 9 p.m. Country Western Country Funky Colts, at the Scoreboard, 535 Fourth San Rafael. 9 p.m.

Blues-Jazz Mose Allison, tonight and tomorrow, at the Lion's Share, 60 Redhill San Anselmo. 9 p.m. Rock The John Preston Band, at MacArthur's, 21 8 Sir Francis brake San Anselmo. 9 p.m. Rock Mitch Woods and His Red Hot Mama, at the Woods, 1625 Sir Francis Drake Fairfax.

9 p.m. Rock Auditions, at the Sleeping Lady Cafe, 68 Bolinas Road, Fairfax. 9 p.m. Rock Lucky Strike, at the Long Branch, 2504 San Pablo Berkeley. 9 p.m.

Bluet C. "Good Rockln' Robinson, Charles Hoff, and Little B. at Ruthie't Inn, 2618 Sort Pablo, Berkeley. Through Admission free. 8 p.m.

Rock Suntar, at the Tuckett Inn, 1 8564 Mission Hayward. 9 p.m. DANCE TONIGHT Moiseyev Dancers from Russia Civic Auditorium, 8:30 p.m. STAGS TONIGHT Circus The Ringling Brothers and Bornum and Bailey Circus, tonight through Monday at the Oakland Coliseum. 7:30 p.m.

(Tonight old out.) Theater "Tubstrip," an all-male comedy, opens tonight at the Enterprise Theater, 430 Mason. 9:30 p.m. Theater Benjamin Rosetree's "The Optimistic Mr. Johnson," a comedy about President Andrew Johnson, tonight, tomorrow and Friday, In the Lurie Room, Main Library. 7 p.m.

Theater "And Others," an improvisational comedy, at the Intersection, 756 Union St. 8 p.m. FILM SPECIALS TONIGHT Pacific Film Archive Dusan Makaveiev's "A Man Is Not a Bird" "A STUNNING BRAVURA PERFORMANCE BY RICHARD DREYFUSS!" r- EVENINGS ONLY Tonight at 7:10.8:45 and 10:25 Paul D. Zimmerman, Newsweek UN.ILUA1UI: Also at: Theatre 70, Oakland IftTTO KOTCHtTDHm THCAPPSomezsiiiPOP Storing MCHARO DtBCYFUSS MICHaiNC LANCT6T 'RANDY OUAID JOSEPH WISEMAN DfNHCHM HilOTI JOESUVBt andOACK WAS DfM funny old-time Streisand's at her best!" VINCENT CANBY OTPs SCHNEIDER PG Tpuihtii cviotNasuccinitil iiwT'iy-tniwMciil I in with less than calm Altman made the film from an original screenplay by Joseph Walsh, who co-produced and effectively plays a small part of Segal's bookie. The basic story Is pretty soft and centers on the friendship that develops between Gould and Segal after they meet at a poker game.

jtl. Plus Mario TODAY AT 2:00, BARS MATS FIRST HR WEDSAT Throughout The Bay Area THE NEWEST ADVENTURES OF PIPPI LONGSTOCKING! the Matinees Only at 1:00, 3:00 5:00 'Pink Floyd shown evenings. Campbell PRUNEYARD Santa Clara REGENCY San Mateo HILLSDALE San Rafael RAFAEL Santa Rosa CALIFORNIA IN THE STREETS. up in a black ghetto. learn are the things know to survive.

"EXCELLENT. POWERFUL GIVES IT TO US STRAIGHT" Parents Magazine irwin vaMans a MniMtail tMatur I 14" I SOUTH SEAS IS in another easy-going role, a gambler-drifter whose i n-variably cheerful, clownish nature is always good for a laugh. Segal is quite the opposite a restless and compul- Museum, 2621 Durant Ave Jerzy Skolimowski's 'Walkover' it 11 1 3 Dean Jennings presenti The lull-scale theatrical production of JON HENDRICKS' A totally new musical experience Directed by end Starring Jon Hendricks Featuring a Joyous Cast of 15 Singers, Dancers, Musicians ON BROADWAYTHEATRE 435 Broadway, S.F., 398-0800 830; Sat. 8:00 ft Sun. TOO Tlokelf S4.50 Frl.

1 SM. $5.50 $8.50 Tlck.lron all Hading yt, kIm. 15 ONLY! eln SALE BOX OFFICE mini, before curtain) 771-3880 TONIGHT at 7:00 ft. ttarnna IHUCK WLdOUn as Vim morn iih ctnti fninnm A sensual Keystone comedy. Thisfcurfetter ode to amorality Oireclftd bv OLLE HELLROM f.tiLOOBVMuwiti nuMinun ahmsjs.s.1 is socKea across -Bmc wmmngiy.

tMlikamsori viayToy 974 Gb COMMUNICATION INC PLUS WALT DISNEY'S, COUGAR COUNTRY TODAY 'PIPPI AT 130, 7.90 PM COUGAR AT 2T30, 6M9, 91 '35 PM The scenes make 'LBsFTango in PatH looklike a sMh grade Shows today at 1:00, 2:40 4:15 cr Pete's Sake thevlicle zanybarbra! atliervacKlert! oancingcass. Sorndin)es pomogrspHcnerally but always bnflisnh AND AT THESE THEATRES AND THROUGHOUT THE BAY snrxa Hayward SOUTHLAND Cinema 2 Berkeley ug Tneatre Concord SUN VALLEY Cinema Fremont FOX Theatre YOU LEARN A LOT Sonny Carson grew But the things he had everyone has to to Animportantfilm. (1965), at the University Art Berkeley. 7 ond 10 p.m. Also, (1965, Poland).

8:30 p.m. 6th Smash Year! Santowich'Golyn Productions' presents Tonight at 8:30 pm The Little Fox Theatre. 533 Pacific, San Francisco B.O. Phone 434-4738 Also Ticketron, Macy's leading agencies Group Ram Call 776.761 (F THRU SEPT. UA Cinema 150 Santa Clara N.Y.

Times Jf' PG MMTl IMIK1 WCQIltlt 51 The Owl and the Pussjxat rfclitLJ A I Lb AHIibi lULAi Hi TONIGHT "For Pete's Sake" at la to Carlira Streisand "A HOWLING BRUTE OF A FILM!" New Vork Timu cr Vetes Sake" I I SEATS TONIGHT "AS ROUGH AND PRIMITIVE AS A STREET TIGHT" Los Angeles Timet COLUMBIA PIGTUPE9 AND RASTAfl PICTURES PWFSFMT BARRRASTREISO IN "FOR PETF'S SAKE," A PETER VATfS FILM STAHRlNG MICHAEL SARRAZlN CSTELLE PARSONS CCVSTARRINfi MOLLY PICON WILLIAM REOFIELD WRITTEN BY STANLEY SHAPIRO AND MAURICE RlCHLIN MUSIC BY ARTIE BUTLER PRODUCED BY MARTIN ERLICHMAN AND STANLEY SHAPIRO 'DIRECTED BY PETER YATES EXECUTIVF PRODUCER PHIL FtLDMAN ParamMint natural prctwita IKKhSISTIBLE! CHRONICLE "STILL FRESH AND LOVELY-AN INFECTIOUS JOY!" Michelt lomu, S.F. EXAMINER irony clan ton dongortfon and paul benjamin as "pops- PERSKY-flRtGHT BARCLAY FtATURS A RAY STARK-HERBERT ROSS Product Barbra Streisand George Segal TONIGHT "Saks" 7 sonny carson frsMl hud 3L.o mtchacl camjHss son Jt I TICKETS ON AT GEARY THEATRE (Available tl Maiinci'SO -2nd. EXCITING WEEK BOX OFFICE PHONE: (415) 771-4858 CROUP Woods, MARINES' MEMORIAL THEATRE Suttar and Mason Sis TONIGHT at 7:00 Plus: FRED WILLIAMSON and ISSAC in -THREE TOUGH GUYS" Open Weekdays at Onen Weekwmls at Plus: FRED WILLIAMSON and ISSAC HAYES In "THREE TOUGH GUYS" DAILY 12:00. ft.M. "touoh" at and :4 KMRO AIN MATS.

DAILY TIL 2PM. Owl Pussycat "Kussvcafat 10:15 i an iittia.ti.