I'm a Lebowski, you're a Lebowski: life, The big Lebowski, and what have you 9781596912465, 1596912464, 2006103251

Citation preview

BILL GREEN, BEN PESKOE, WILL RUSSELL, & SCOTT SHUFFITT FOREWORD BY JEFF BRIDGES

U.S. $16-95

And a good day to you, sir! To some, The Big Lebowski is just a movie. To others it is The Movie. When we decided to get some friends together at a tiny bowling alley in Kentucky to drink White Russians and celebrate our favorite movie, Lebowski Fest was born. We discovered we were not alone, and fellow fans from around the world, also known as “Achievers,” started coming out of the woodwork. We, the Bums who started Lebowski Fest, have been given the modest task of assembling a fan book for what we feel is the greatest movie of all time (condolences, Citizen Kane). At times we felt we were out of our element, but we went out and achieved anyway. I’m a Lebowski, You’re a Lebowski begins with a foreword by Jeff Bridges and includes behind-thescenes photos taken by him on the set. To bring to light all we could about the making of this movie, we interviewed everyone from John Goodman, Julianne Moore, and John Turturro to the actors who played smaller roles like the Ralphs Check¬ out Girl, Liam, and, yes, even Saddam. We tracked down the inspirations for the story and its characters, including Jeff Dowd (The Dude), John Milius (Walter), and the man whose rug really tied the room together, Peter Exline. We even found the real Little Larry, a kid who, indeed, actually stonewalled two crazy men who started waving his homework around in a baggie. The book is complete with trivia, interviews with fellow Achievers, tips on Dude-ifying your life, a guide to the film’s locations, Lebowski Fest highlights, and a whole lot of what have you. Well, enjoy. —The Bums

I’M A LEBOWSKI YOU’RE A LEBOWSKI oo

o ■

I’M A LEBOWSKI YOU’RE A LEBOWSKI LIFE, THE BIG LEBOWSKI, AND WHAT HAVE YOU

BILL GREEN, BEN PESKOE, WILL RUSSELL, & SCOTT SHUFFITT FOREWORD BY JEFF BRIDGES

Copyright © 2007 by Bill Green, Ben Peskoe, Will Russell, and Scott Shuffitt Foreword copyright © 2007 by Jeff Bridges All elements from “The Big Lebowski” © 2007 Universal Studios Licensing LLLP. “The Big Lebowski” is a trademark and copyright of Universal Studios. Licensed by Universal Studios Licensing LLLP. All Rights Reserved. A Note to Parents: The Big Lebowski is rated R. Consult www.filmratings.com for further information.

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be used or reproduced in any manner whatsoever without written permission from the publisher except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles or reviews. For information address Bloomsbury USA, 175 Fifth Avenue, New York, NY 10010.

Published by Bloomsbury USA, New York Distributed to the trade by Holtzbrinck Publishers

All papers used by Bloomsbury USA are natural, recyclable products made from wood grown in well-managed forests. The manufacturing processes conform to the environmental regulations of the country of origin.

LIBRARY OF CONGRESS CATALOGING-IN-PUBLICATION DATA

I’m a Lebowski, you're a Lebowski: life, The big Lebowski, and what have you / Bill Green . . . [et al.].—1st U.S. ed p. cm ISBN-13: 978-1-59691-246-5 ISBN-10: 1-59691-246-4 1. Big Lebowski (Motion Picture) I. Green, Bill, 1973- II. Title: I am a Lebowski, you are a Lebowski.

PN1997.B444I4 2007 791-4372—dc22 2006103251

First U.S. Edition 2007

5 7 9 10 8 6

Design by Elizabeth Van Itallie Printed in the United States of America by Quebecor World Eusey

They have neither our blessing nor our curse. —The Coen brothers, in reference to the writing of this book

\ *

* .

-;,EBfSTii i

( \ii.

-

M*

•

-;r-» /

•

^

m\

»i*-y