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Raquel!

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Raquel!
Raquel70.png
Airdate April 26, 1970
Written by Doug Tibbles,
Larry Alexander,
Jonathan Axelrod
Directed by David Winters
Network NBC
Style 60-minute variety special
Company Winters-Rosen


Origin USA



Raquel! was a 1970 television special starring Raquel Welch and Tom Jones.

Contents

The Production

Raquel! was filmed in London, Paris, Mexico & Sun Valley, ID and featured lavish production numbers. It marked Welch's debut special on television. Together Welch and Jones combined musical and comedic talents on classic rock 'n' roll standards of the era. There was a scene in which Raquel appeared to be with space men, and her in space bikini during the opening montage.

Raquel and Guests

Two icons of the 1970s pop culture took center stage for a visually gorgeous hour. Welch was considered by television critics to have shown brightly as any star of the era. Welch had put off doing a special until producer director David Winters offered her the world as her stage. [1] Although Welch sings throughout the show, she briefly recites The Lady of Shallot, a Victorian poem or ballad by the English poet Alfred, Lord Tennyson (1809–1892). a point of derision by one commentator [2].

The special, considered by some to be a classic '70s timepiece, pairing together pop-culture icons in their prime. The multi million-dollar, TV song & dance extravaganza was filmed around the world - from Paris to Mexico. Lavish production numbers of classic songs from the era, extravagant Bob Mackie designed costumes and notable guest performances. Tom Jones was nearly a co-star, as he sang the long medley of Little Richard and Beatles songs with Raquel, but not before he opened the set with a solo performance of I. Even Bob Hope sang a duet, the Beatles' "Rocky Raccoon" The around the world shots dazzled as the songs themselves calmed.

DVD Release

Title Release Date #
Complete Special: Region 1
Raquel!: Starring Raquel Welch June 6, 2005 1

purchase

Complete Special: Region 0
Raquel!: Starring Raquel Welch July 24, 2005 1

purchase

Guest Stars

Guest stars John Wayne and Bob Hope in the Wild West only added to the largeness of the production.. Welch and Jones, both, two of the 70s biggest stars, joined by such legendary greats made it an indispensable time capsule full of glamor, wit and talent.

Music Listing

Fourteen songs from the era are featured, although many are in the form of medley. Welch and friends sang songs by the Beatles, Little Richard, The Mamas & the Papas and many others. The oldest was not much older than five years from original release.

Title! Performer (s) Location
Games People Play Raquel Welch Paris
California Dreamin' Welch
Everybody's Talkin' Welch
Peaceful Welch
Raindrops Keep Falling on My Head Welch
Here Comes the Sun Welch
Good Morning Starshine Welch
Aquarius/Let the Sunshine In Welch Mexico
I (Who Have Nothing) Tom Jones London
The Sounds of Silence Welch
Rip It Up / Slippin' n Slidin' / Lucille / Tutti Frutti / Jenny, Jenny / Golly Miss Molly / We're Gonna Have Some Fun Tonight Welch & Jones
Rocky Raccoon Welch & Bob Hope Sun Valley, ID

References

  1. (1971) Brown, Les, Television: The Business Behind the Box, pp187,188,Raquel!, Harcourt Brace Jovanovich, isbn 9 78015 688 4402
  2. web Video Cheese: Raquel!,2008-10-08