The Big Lebowski vs the Modern Pro-Tour

Many would argue that this comic masterpiece is the pinnacle of bowling movies, a classic caper of a washed-out old hippie and his two best bowling buddies. The sport is portrayed brilliantly in a mesmeric opening tracking shot, beautifully and lovingly captured by legendary cinematographer Roger Deakins, and directed by the Coen Brothers. Jeff Bridges and John Goodman are perfectly cast as the hapless duo of ‘the Dude’ and Walter, and the hopelessly complicated plot is based on, or at least a homage to, the hard boiled mystery novels of Raymond Chandler. There are several bowling sequences in the movie, and the Dude even spends some of his spare (no pun intended) time listening to old recordings of the bowling action whilst lying on his beloved rug. Such is the cult status of the film that there are even conventions around the world where fans dress up as their favorite characters, replete with eye-catching bowling attire.

Although it didn’t make quite the splash that The Big Lebowski did, this 1996 comedy has a cult following, as much for its faintly ridiculous comeback storyline as its haircuts and bowling outfits. The film follows Roy Munson, brilliantly played by Woody Harrelson, who finds himself badly injured after a bowling ball returning machine mishap. A once promising bowler, he was outcompeted by the grotesquely self-worshipping and flashy Ernie McCracken, superbly depicted by the legendary Bill Murray. The bowling action is lovingly rendered and features one of the most ludicrous finales you’ll ever witness on screen, replete with slow-mo action, great outfits — some inspiring a whole culture of bowling shirt wearers — and ridiculous haircuts. There are many hilarious hijinks along the way, making this a must-see for comedy and bowling fans alike.

An upcoming (at the time of writing) HBO-produced bowling docu-series, Born to Bowl, has been executive produced by none other than comic legend Ben Stiller, and fans of the sport, be they newcomers or seasoned aficionados, are going to be treated to a behind-the-scenes look at how the pro tour unfolds, with the competition and rivalries amongst plenty of other interesting aspects. Producers hope this will have the same kind of crossover appeal that Formula One - Drive to Survive did, in bringing a whole new demographic of fans into bowling, as well as providing insight and personalities into this often-overlooked sport. Each episode will focus on one or two pro bowlers as they prepare for, and compete in, the various events on the Pro Bowlers Association Tour.

While some movies associated with bowling make it the butt of the joke (or a humorous backdrop to the action), it is, in fact, a hugely popular pastime, not just in the United States, but the world over. Donning some swanky bowling shoes is a great way to spend a night out with friends and family, with a healthy and fun competitive edge. And, given that most facilities are well-maintained and often used for local competitions, amateurs may even find they can leap into the professional ranks. Amateur or pro, men or women, it’s important to look good and feel comfortable when wearing a proper bowling shirt, which has leapt from practicality to a style icon of its own.

Designed for effective play, the bowling shirt came replete with roomier sleeves, a long back (so as to be untucked), and a wide collar. This meant it was not intended to be worn with a tie, which was a ubiquitous form of menswear in the 1940s, when the sport really came of age.

This meant comfort whilst at the alleys, or back in the lounge, relaxing. Though the game fell out of favour somewhat in the 1970s, the shirts themselves started to become vintage items, and a whole new generation began to seek them out, often the gaudier the better. Now that bowling has come to the forefront again, it’s possible to find custom-made specialty shirts and other related bowling gear to keep yourself cool and focused on those ten crucial pins.

It’s safe to say that bowling is an intrinsic part of pop culture, adding either humour or drama to the proceedings on our TVs and in our cinemas. Bowling culture itself has stretched, by way of fashion, into our lives as well, with bowling shirts a nifty retro item or a modern functional piece of kit for the more serious.

Image credits Title image: IMAGO / United Archives; Image 2: IMAGO / ZUMA Press Wire; Image 3: IMAGO / Bildbyran; Image 4: Unsplash / Kalle Stillersson; Image 5: Unsplash / Library of Congress