“'Dudes' show up for Ambler's Little Lebowski Fest (VIDEO)”

'Dudes' show up for Ambler's Little Lebowski Fest (VIDEO)

Posted: 27 Jul 2010 05:53 AM PDT

Patrick Dohony or "The Dude" took part in the costume competition during Ambler Theater's Little Lebowski Fest. Photo by Andy Stettler

View and purchase photos

By Andy Stettler
Online Editor

Pick any other night of the week and Joel Walsh of Lansdale is your average guy. But tonight, dressed in a long, grubby trench coat and aviator sunglasses which he has chosen to wear over his eyeglasses, he's asking people to please refer to him as "The Dude."

Walsh was only one of many "Dudes" at the Ambler Theater last Wednesday night as the venue hosted its fourth annual Little Lebowski Fest, a tribute to the film "The Big Lebowski."

"Well you know, Dude lives his life by — you know — being relaxed," Walsh said. "We just really enjoy watching another guy live his life the same way we live ours. But we also enjoy a White Russian now and then and enjoy watching the film. What better way to enjoy the forth anniversary than by coming here where they serve these White Russians and play the movie on the big screen?"

"The Big Lebowski" is an American comedy written and directed by Joel and Ethan Coen released in 1998 in which Jeff Bridges plays the unemployed, middle-aged hippy Jeff Lebowski, who refers to himself as "The Dude."

The Dude is introduced to a millionaire also named Jeffrey Lebowski after two men mistakenly break into the wrong Lebowski home.

When the millionaire Lebowski's trophy wife is later kidnapped, he commissions The Dude to deliver a ransom and secure her release.

However, when The Dude's bowling buddy Walter, played by John Goodman, gets involved, the plan goes terribly awry and The Dude finds himself in a world of trouble. Steve Buscemi, Philip Seymour Hoffman, Julianne Moore, and John Turturro also star in the film that has — as Wednesday night proved — developed a cult following.

According to Chris Collier, director of special film programs at Ambler Theater, the theater offered special "achiever" level tickets this year which provided customers with a ticket to a special showing of the film, a signature Ambler Theater T-shirt and of course a White Russian.

"We started showing 'The Big Lebowski' here a number of years ago and realized there is a huge cult following to the film and that we could make this a really exciting evening tied in with Lebowski more than just showing the movie," Collier said.

The night also included a costume contest. Anyone who came dressed as a character in the film was invited to join Collier on stage where contestants were judged by the audience in the theater. One couple came dressed as a bowling ball and a pin while others came dressed as The Dude himself. Following the competition, the film was shown on the theater's big screen as dudes of all ages shouted subtle humor suitable to film fanatics.

For more information on upcoming Ambler Theater events, visit www.AmblerTheater.org.