The Team
Robert Imber (Historian)
Robert was our first contact when we started making this film. Not only was he a walking encyclopedia of all things Modernism, we discovered that he was the keeper of the castle keys. Robert Imber introduced us to homeowners, architects, historians and other Modernism buffs and we truly could not have made this film without Robert opening all of the appropriate doors. He was the owner and operator of Palm Springs Modern Tours, and a Trustee of the California Preservation Foundation (CPF) and was founding member of the Palm Springs Modern Committee (PSMODCOM), where he served on the Board of Directors and was chairman of the Education Committee.
As if that weren't enough, Robert was founder and director of MUSARCH, a museum of architecture in John Lautner’s "Alto Capistrano" in San Juan Capistrano, CA. Author, preservationist, historian and ambassador, Robert was recipient of Palm Springs Life Magazine’s “101 Most Influential”; the Palm Springs Bureau of Tourism Tourism Partner of the Year; and the 2009 PSMODCOM Preservationist of the Year award. In 2016, Robert and Gary Johns (among others), were honored by the UCLA's Architecture and Design School for their preservation work. Robert had a jaunty hello for everyone and we enjoyed seeing him lead his tours around Palm Springs.
Sadly, Robert's big heart gave out in April of 2021. We are indebted to him.
As if that weren't enough, Robert was founder and director of MUSARCH, a museum of architecture in John Lautner’s "Alto Capistrano" in San Juan Capistrano, CA. Author, preservationist, historian and ambassador, Robert was recipient of Palm Springs Life Magazine’s “101 Most Influential”; the Palm Springs Bureau of Tourism Tourism Partner of the Year; and the 2009 PSMODCOM Preservationist of the Year award. In 2016, Robert and Gary Johns (among others), were honored by the UCLA's Architecture and Design School for their preservation work. Robert had a jaunty hello for everyone and we enjoyed seeing him lead his tours around Palm Springs.
Sadly, Robert's big heart gave out in April of 2021. We are indebted to him.
Gary Johns (Preservationist)
When Robert Imber gave us Gary Johns' name and phone number, he was not interested in giving us an on-camera interview. Once we met with James Harlan, Gary called us and said Harlan had a good time during his interview and recommended he meet with us. Gary invited us to his Donald Wexler designed townhouse where we chatted for over an hour while our cameras rolled.
A licensed realtor since 1977, Gary moved to Palm Springs in 2005 and in addition to selling a lot of mid-century homes for Paul Kaplan Real Estate, he has become very active in the historic preservation of the community.
As vice president of the Palm Springs Preservation Foundation, Gary helps promote awareness of the importance of our local historic resources and educates the public in the value of their preservation.
A member of the Board of Directors of Modernism Week, Gary was instrumental in starting the hugely popular Double-Decker Bus Tours while also serving on the committees that produce the Walk of Stars dedication, the home tours and the fashion show. In 2016, Gary, and Robert Imber (among others), were honored by the UCLA's Architecture and Design School for their preservation work.
Gary leads tours at the historic Thomas O'Donnell House (Eye of the Desert) and volunteers at the Palm Springs Animal Shelter in his precious spare time.
A licensed realtor since 1977, Gary moved to Palm Springs in 2005 and in addition to selling a lot of mid-century homes for Paul Kaplan Real Estate, he has become very active in the historic preservation of the community.
As vice president of the Palm Springs Preservation Foundation, Gary helps promote awareness of the importance of our local historic resources and educates the public in the value of their preservation.
A member of the Board of Directors of Modernism Week, Gary was instrumental in starting the hugely popular Double-Decker Bus Tours while also serving on the committees that produce the Walk of Stars dedication, the home tours and the fashion show. In 2016, Gary, and Robert Imber (among others), were honored by the UCLA's Architecture and Design School for their preservation work.
Gary leads tours at the historic Thomas O'Donnell House (Eye of the Desert) and volunteers at the Palm Springs Animal Shelter in his precious spare time.
James R. Harlan (Author and Architect)
James R. Harlan wrote the book on The Alexanders. Literally. Once we spoke with James, and read his book, we knew that we had to have him in our film to tell the real story of how the Alexander Construction Company changed the sleepy little village of Palm Springs. Of course, James lives in an architecturally significant home that truly combines indoor and outdoor living. (The path to his front door crosses over the swimming pool.)
The book, The Alexanders: A Desert Legacy, is a 60-page soft-cover journal that pays tribute to the significant contributions made by the Alexander Construction Company to Palm Springs’ “built environment.” Graphic artist Gary Wexler was commissioned by PSPF to do the lay-out and design of the journal. Included are rarely seen photographs from the Alexander family, the Julius Shulman archives and from architect William Krisel’s personal collection.
Harlan has also collaborated on home designs for the Robert Altman and the Dustin Hoffman families.
The book, The Alexanders: A Desert Legacy, is a 60-page soft-cover journal that pays tribute to the significant contributions made by the Alexander Construction Company to Palm Springs’ “built environment.” Graphic artist Gary Wexler was commissioned by PSPF to do the lay-out and design of the journal. Included are rarely seen photographs from the Alexander family, the Julius Shulman archives and from architect William Krisel’s personal collection.
Harlan has also collaborated on home designs for the Robert Altman and the Dustin Hoffman families.
