Word is spreading around Park City about an altercation between one of Sundance's most venerated producers and one of its longest-attending critics.

According to Spout blog's Karina Longworth, producer/indie guru Jeff Dowd - a k a The Dude - ran into critic John Anderson, who's reviewing Sundance movies for Daily Variety, this morning at The Yarrow hotel.

Dowd wanted to talk to Anderson about the pending review for "Dirt! The Movie," the environmental documentary Dowd co-produced. Anderson didn't want to talk about it. Dowd persisted - and even came back with Jackie Martling (from "The Howard Stern Show") as back-up. Then, Variety's Anne Thompson reported on her blog, Anderson hit Dowd in the shoulder, chest and chin.

A Tribune police reporter checked with the Park City Police, and neither party is pressing charges. But the incident does illustrate an important lesson: Never get between a movie critic and his breakfast.