The Oyler House: Richard Neutra's Desert Retreat

Richard Oyler is a World War II veteran and Pearl Harbor survivor who was a government employee working in the tiny desert town of Lone Pine, CA, in 1959 when he decided to ask world-renowned modernist architect Richard Neutra to design his house. Working with a limited budget, Neutra created an iconic mid-century modern masterpiece in his distinctive post-and-beam style. In the process, the Oylers developed a friendship with Neutra that lasted until the architect's death in 1970. Actress Kelly Lynch and her writer-producer husband, Mitch Glazer, currently own the home. The documentary mixes archival footage of the Oylers in the house with film of the structure today. Lynch is dedicated to caring for and preserving it as much as possible as it was originally constructed. Interviews with Oyler, Lynch, and two of Neutra's sons contribute to this informative and very personal approach to living in a groundbreaking residence. It is particularly interesting to hear Oyler discuss some of his low-budget solutions to Neutra's initial plans. Bonus materials include a house tour and deleted scenes.