The Nature of Modernism - E. Stewart Williams, Architect is one of two documentaries about Southern California Architects. Williams defined Palm Springs and almost single-handedly created our current craze for "Mid-Century Modern." From Frank Sinatra's first Palm Springs home to the home of the Palm Springs Art Museum [the venue for this film] we follow his career often narrated by the man himself. He emerges as quite a wonderful guy, much loved by his friends and colleagues. Through this film,his legacy cannot be denied.
Lutah Maria Riggs was a very successful architect in Santa Barbara and like Williams, her designs define the Santa Barbara style. Despite being a woman in a man's world she excelled and was much sought after for her unique interpretations of classic Spanish Colonial architecture. The film makes a lot of the "in spite of being a woman" meme but I saw little indication that she ever really suffered for it. She was eccentric, strong willed and so talented that she was as far as I can tell as successful if not as recognized as her contemporaries.
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