Careful! There's a Beverage Here!: Sold-Out Crowd at Little Lebowski Fest

The Dude came back to Ambler, man.

Fans dressed as the Dude, Walter, Maude and even the carpet celebrated The Big Lebowski at fifth annual Little Lebowski Fest Wednesday night.

Along with a screening of the cult classic, the event included a trivia contest and costume contest where participants could win prizes, including a Jesus bobble-head doll and Blu-ray edition of the film. Attendees could even enjoy White Russians during the movie.

The film stars Jeff Bridges as Jeffery Lebowski, better known as The Dude, an aging hippie with a love for bowling. John Goodman costars as the Dude’s friend, a Vietnam veteran who constantly talks about the friends he lost “face down in the muck.”

The Dude is mistaken for a different Jeff Lebowski, a millionaire, and becomes involved in a kidnapping mystery while attempting to receive retribution for his ruined carpet.

Chris Collier, director of special programs at the theater, kicked off the event with a trivia contest, asking the sold-out audience how many White Russians the Dude drinks throughout the film—nine—and how many times the “F-bomb” is used—292 times. Each correct answer garnered the fan a free movie pass to see another film at the theater.

Pat Dohony won the costume competition dressed as the Dude’s landlord Marty in his performance costume. Sporting a green man suit covered with green leaves, Dohony joked that he felt like a “golden god” after winning the contest and his prize—a Creedence Clearwater Revival cassette.

Dohony said this was his third time at the Little Lebowski Fest, which he said is a highlight of his summer. He said he has fun and is a fan of the film.

“It has such great characters that make it memorable,” Dohony said.

Owen Murphy said it was his first time at the Little Lebowski Fest, but he said he enjoyed it because he likes the film.

“The dialogue is great, it’s well written and it has a great cast,” Murphy said. He said his only complaint is that they didn’t serve more White Russians.

Director of Development Jim Sanders said he was pleased with the turnout.

“It we had more seats, we would’ve sold more,” Sanders said.

Sanders said the Little Lebowski Festivals are held around the country, and the Ambler Theater chose to hold one because staff have always been fans of the cult classic.

“It’s cool. It’s the Dude,” Sanders said. “It has extremely memorable dialogue.”