'Big Lebowski' fans gather in Los Angeles

LOS ANGELES, March 25 (UPI) -- About 300 fans of 1998 film "The Big Lebowski" crowded a Los Angeles bowling alley for the second night of Lebowski Fest L.A.

The fans, many dressed as their favorite characters from the Coen brothers' film, gathered at Fountain Bowl Saturday night to discuss the film, the story of unemployed bowler The Dude, played by Jeff Bridges, who becomes involved in a kidnapping plot when he is mistaken for a much wealthier man with a similar name, The Orange County (Calif.) Register reported Monday.

"What makes this movie so great is that it's not about bowling," said Barry Asher, Fountain Bowl's pro and a consultant on the film. The Dude and best friend Walter, played by John Goodman, "have their own things going on, but they're in a bowling league. It's what ties them together."

The event featured a trivia contest, a costume competition and 4 hours of bowling for $25.