FAQ

1. Ten pins, one ball.

The Big Lebowski was loosely inspired by The Big Sleep (1939), a Philip Marlowe crime novel by Raymond Chandler, which was previously adapted into The Big Sleep (1946) and Le grand sommeil (1978). However, the actual plot of the film was based on a screenplay by Joel and Ethan Coen.

"The Man in Me" by Bob Dylan plays at the opening credits and again when The Dude dreams about bowling after being knocked out. "Tumbling Tumbleweeds" by Roy Rogers & Sons of the Pioneers serves as the Stranger's theme. It plays during the introductory monologue and again when the Stranger appears next to the Dude and orders a sarsaparilla. For the rest of songs and their corresponding scenes in the movie try here.

According to rumor, the line "Life does not stop and start at your convenience, you miserable piece of shit" was directed at Joel Coen, when John Goodman thought he said "cut." Source here. However, this reason is obviously a joke propagated by the Coens. The line is in the original shooting script and clearly fits the tone of the scene. Walter is expressing his sentiments about the Big Lebowski thinking he can summon the Dude during league-play. It may even be directed at Donny, since he is (again) attempting to enter the conversation without prior knowledge of what the Dude and Walter are talking about.