Revisiting "Dazed and Confused" Shooting Locations 32 Years Later, Part I
I toured several magical spots where Rick Linklater's banger was filmed in 1992 to see how Austin has treated them
It’s no secret that I love Dazed and Confused, Director Richard Linklater’s cult classic, coming of age (in one weed-fueled May 1976 Austin evening) classic.
Given that so much about our city has changed since the movie was filmed here in the Summer of 1992, I recently took some time to revisit several of the film’s iconic locations to see how they look now. Surprisingly, not too much looks different now for many of them.
Today’s installment (Part I) takes a peek at a fateful baseball field, the boozy epicenter of cool where we’re first introduced to David Wooderson, the burger joint that launched a million “alright, alright, alrights,” a chill old home where a hilarious moment took place, and the hallowed athletic facility where we were told to Just Keep Livin’ by one of the last human beings that anyone should have taken advice from.
“The Emporium”: So much happened here in Dazed that it almost felt like a character in the movie. Dozens of unsupervised 1970s kids playing pinball, drinking beer, and rolling pool in a hormone soaked space bathed in cool music was, most definitely, a mood. Seeing the 2024 version of it is a bit of a letdown, even by modern Austin standards. I mean, we’re okay with strip malls and there’s good BBQ very close, but not much is going on at this specific location.
“Top Notch”: This venerable Austin burger stalwart remains looking largely the same now as when the movie was filmed and has definitely leaned into being a part of the Dazed universe, even featuring a display inside filled with memorabilia (presumably authentic). It’s very refreshing to know that this hallowed burger stand hasn’t been morphed into a labradoodle day spa or something equally as uninspired.
“The Baseball Field”: In an entertaining but still poignant moment, rising Freshman Mitch Kramer (and his stunt double’s pitching) goes through the motions of a little league game as a horde of hazing-obsessed Seniors-to-be taunt the gawky hurler from just behind a fence, promising a vicious paddling once the last out is recorded. Seeing Kramer battle with wanting to win a game while knowing the end means a crimson ass is a bit of a hard watch, especially when viewed in a more hazing-averse 2024. But there’s no debate that it’s a classic scene. The field still looks almost the same, going by Sheffield Northwest District Park these days.
“Carl’s House”: It’s lacking a shotgun wielding mom and the hateful Fred O’Bannion feigning innocence with a robust FAH Q paddle in his hand, but this unassuming ranch-style home in central Austin hasn’t changed much (besides its assessed value) in the last 30+ years. And that’s pretty cool in its own way.
“Lee High School Stadium”: It’s a true testament to the inertia of AISD that this place aka Toney Burger Stadium still looks almost identical in 2024 outside of some newish artificial turf. Its stark, weathered concrete and almost total lack of aesthetically pleasing vegetation makes it feel like the place is thumbing its nose at the Friday Night Lights style iconography of Texas Football.
Part II is coming soon!
I look forward to Part II, if only because you missed a number of spots. Off the top of my head, with movie settings followed by their actual location:
Robert E. Lee High School --> Bedichek Middle School (also the only filming location in Austin south of Town Lake)
Centennial Liquor --> that *was* its name at one point, but I can't recall now (but it's on N. Lamar across the street from Stiles Switch, which you reference in covering The Emporium)
Also: party at the moontower! And a trick question: they didn't film it near a real one. Where they did film it is why I'm baffled that you didn't mention its location: Westerfield Park! You are, quite literally, only 100 feet away from it! Sheesh.
Finally, a question I'm not sure you're aware of: whether the movie is or isn't set in Austin. Some argue it is set here because it uses Top Notch & moontowers. Others (e.g. me) argue this is BS because the city is never named in the movie, and Linklater has stated that while Austin "inspired" the movie's location, it's intended to be a fictional setting. (Similar to "Everybody Wants Some!", set at the obviously fake Southeast Texas State University, but filmed in part at the school formerly known as Southwest Texas State University. Its specific location goes unmentioned.)