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The Student News Site of McCallum High School

The Shield Online
The Student News Site of McCallum High School

The Shield Online
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Iconic ‘Dazed and Confused’ house is for sale

Locals hope new owners will preserve site from classic 1993 film
August Gleason, staff reporter
March 16, 2025
Sally Butler
HIDDEN IN PLAIN SIGHT: The house that lives at 6409 Wilbur Drive is also known as “Carl’s house” from its appearance in the 1993 American comedy film Dazed and Confused. The Allandale home is a normal mid-century family home except to those dedicated, radical supporters of the motion picture Dazed and Confused. For the fans, this house is where Ben Affleck’s O’Bannion ambushes Carl and Mitch in an effort to paddle them in one of the most intense high school hazing rituals. Things look bleak for Carl and Mitch until Carl’s mom comes to the door threatening O’Bannion with her rifle. With the house still in the exact same condition, and architecture still intact, walking past the house truly makes you relive the scene. “I live across the street from the house, so I see a lot of people stop and take pictures,” said neighbor Natalie Klein. “One time there was a bus full of people who wanted to talk about the movie. The family loves the history behind the house, so they don’t mind.”  Although this house holds some protection, from the fact it is featured in the famous Linklater film. Many houses in the neighborhood of Allandale with a similar mid-century vibe have been knocked down and built into huge modern mansions. One of the most charming things about Allandale is the wholesome vintage homes that hold so many great memories. Houses like these need to be better preserved to maintain the wonderful, weirdness of Austin.
Mitch Kramer (Wiley Wiggins) and Carl Burnett try to get out of a double-headlock from Fred O’Bannion (Ben Affleck). (Still photo of ‘Dazed and Confused’ from Universal Pictures)

A piece of Austin film history is for sale as the house of cult classic Dazed and Confused is officially listed.

The house, which gained notoriety as the site of the 1993 coming-of-age film starring Richard Linklater, has since served as a source of attraction for the fans of the movie and Austin’s wealth of cinematic history. With curiosity piqued, the sale brings to a close an era for one of the city’s most famous shooting locations.

Located in a peaceful Austin suburban neighborhood, the home belonged to Cynthia Dunn, portrayed by Marissa Ribisi, in Dazed and Confused. The film, depicting a group of Texas high schoolers on their last day of school in 1976, is now iconic. Years have passed, and tourists have taken care to visit to take pictures and relive the nostalgia of the film’s most memorable scenes.

“It’s strange to have this house on the market,” said Mark Holloway, a resident of Austin who has lived there for decades. “It’s been a landmark for film fans, and it does add to the character of the city.”

The sale of the house represents the greater shift in Austin, with increasing property value and construction changing long-time neighborhoods. At an asking price much higher than it would have been in the ’90s, the future of the house is uncertain. Will it be left as a cultural landmark, or will it be redeveloped by new owners?

“There’s always that fear that these iconic places will be lost,” stated local historian Emily Navarro. “But hopefully, whoever buys it understands its importance to Austin’s film history.”

Real estate agents anticipate strong interest for the home, with both film buffs and investors considering the property. A few fans are hoping the new owners will leave its history alone rather than renovating beyond recognition.

“House is part of something greater than a film,” explained Jake Ramirez, a born-and-bred Austinite. “It’s a reminder of why Austin was cool. I just hope whoever buys it appreciates that.”

As the city continues to grow, the fate of the Dazed and Confused house remains in question. Currently, it stands as a testament to Austin’s independent film legacy and a tribute to one of the best films of the ’90s.

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