“Desert Maverick – The Singular Architecture of William F. Cody,” a film by Leo Zahn, is the first in-depth exploration of the works of this major Palm Springs modernist architect. It captures Cody’s singular style and brings it to life through contemporary cinematography as well as Julius Shulman‘s classic photography, along side interviews with Alan Hess, Adele Cygelman, Sidney Williams, Ron Marshall, Peter Moruzzi, Frank Urrutia, Rick Holden, and Winilyn Brady Cody.
The documentary features Cody’s most iconic buildings, starting with the 1947 Del Marcos Hotel, which launched his career in the desert and focuses on his best-known residential and commercial projects built between the late ’40s and early ’70s, such as L’Horizon Hotel, Huddle Springs Restaurant, Palm Springs Spa Bathhouse and Spa Hotel, Racquet Club Cottages West, Eldorado Country Club, and the Jorgensen/Mavis, Abernathy and Jaffe residences, as well as Cody Court and St. Theresa Church.

Bill Cody made his mark with elegant, timeless buildings that are considered masterpieces of desert modern architecture. Tragically, his career was cut short by a debilitating stroke in 1971. “He was the best designer of all of us. While I brought the desert into architecture, Cody brought Fifth Avenue into the desert,” said renowned fellow architect E. Stewart Williams.

A Picture Palace Release of a Mirage Films Production. Running time: 78 mins. Release: February 2016.