What an iconic photo – Raquel Welch wearing the American flag – an incredible image from an Actress who had an amazing career – and sadly, Raquel died yesterday at the age of 82…reports only say it followed a “brief illness…
It’s a very sad day for cult movie fans, as she left us with an terrific collections of comedies, action films, murder mysteries and yes, even a “Seinfeld” appearance…here is a celebration of her life: she was born Jo Raquel Tejada on September 5, 1940 in Chicago, Illinois.
She grew up in San Diego, was a TV “weather girl” there, did modeling, married and divorced, and ended up in Hollywood in the mid-6o’s, where she had a variety of small parts before the “Reign Of Raquel” kicked in!
“Introducing Raquel Welch, the amazing star discovery of this, or any year!”
What a way to make your major motion picture debut – with a trailer making that proclamation, – and wearing THIS!
Raquel Takes Over The World!
All it took was one role – and one costume – to turn Raquel into the most popular Pin-Up Model in the world!
The Best Selling Pin-Up Of The 60’s!
This image, of Raquel in an animal skin bikini, was the best-selling pin-up poster of the 60’s, and turned her into an international star – a picture that was taken originally from the set of her first movie, the smash hit “One Million Years B.C.”
One Million Years B.C.
The movie was a massive hit, and she was as big a selling point as the dinosaurs!
Narrator: This is a story of long, long ago; when the world was just beginning.
Check out the trailer that proclaims, “Introducing Raquel Welch, the amazing star discovery of this, or any year!”
And it included such memorable dialogue between Raquel and her co-star:
Loana: [pointing to Ahot] Ahot.
Ahot: [pointing to himself] Ahot.
Tumak: Ahot.
Loana: [pointing to Ahot] Ahot.
[pointing to herself]
Loana: Loana.
Yes, this is dialogue from the movie. But it didn’t matter, as it catapulted Raquel to stardom, and she followed up with a wide variety of roles that showcased both her beauty as well as her acting ability…and for awhile, her bikinis!
She had quite a string of hit movies, including the smash hit “Fantastic Voyage” – about Scientists who are shrunk down and go inside the human body!
This was a rare mis-step for Raquel at the time: “Myra Breckinridge” was a controversial film about the lead character, who had a sex change…apprently no one wanted to see Raquel that way!
She didn’t have a good experience on this western either, and it was just a few years later she would end up in a film with Burt Reynolds again:
Fuzz.
This is an action comedy from 1972. Police in Boston search for a mad bomber trying to extort money from the city. The cops in charge of finding this “mad bomber” are Burt Reynolds, Raquel Welch and Tom Skerritt.
Check out the vintage trailer:
According to IMDB, Raquel did not like Reynolds because of unsavory comments he made while they were filming “100 Rifles” together.
So, in this movie Welch insisted that she not have any direct scenes with Reynolds. The closest they get is during the interrogation. Even when in the same room they never have direct eye contact!
Raquel also starred in the 1971 western “Hannie Caulder”, a gritty revenge thriller.
A few years later, she starred in one of my favorite films of all time:
“The Last Of Sheila!”
One of her best films is this classic murder mystery from 1974…an all-star cast and a razor sharp script from Composer Stephen Sondheim and “Psycho” star Anthony Perkins!
if you haven’t seen this film, it is amazing! See the trailer and more about the film here:
One of Raquel’s biggest hits was also one of the most blatant:
Mother Jugs & Speed!
Raquel starred with Bill Cosby and Harvey Keitel..this goofy comedy had a very simple plotline: A new law says that the first ambulance that arrives at an accident obtains the contract to transport the injured person. The result is ruthless competition between several companies. Raquel showed up to look pretty and live up to the title…
It was a good example of the raucous comedies of the 70’s – she played Jugs and had this to say about “Speed”:
Tony Malatesta: “They don’t call me Speed for nuthin’.”
Jugs: “Well, let’s hope they don’t call you Speed for everything!”
She was willing to spoof herself – as she did with Peter Sellers and Ringo Starr in this wild black comedy..click here to see the trailer and her hilarious cameo!
There are many more from that era – but as the 80’s arrives, she moved into more TV work, but has continued to work in the decades since, including in one of the great TV sitcoms of all time!
Raquel And Elaine Have A “C-C-C-Catfight!”
Raquel was an under-rated comedic Actress: I loved her cameo on “Seinfeld” when she berates Kramer and later gets into a “c-c-c-catfight” with Elaine!
RIP Raquel Welch…
There were so many more great roles, and her death is a sad love for movie lovers around the world…
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Categories: 70's Cinema, Action Films, Comedy Movies, Cult Movies, Film Fight Club, Film Noir, Great Films, Hollywood, Movies, Obscure Movies, Pop Culture, Revenge Movies, Sports Movies, Talent/Celebrities, TV Show
johnrieber 
She was gorgeous when she was young, John. Sad to know she has passed.
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Great tribute, John!
Best wishes, Pete.
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She was a beautiful lady. What a life!
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I spent many cold showers thanx to her and her movies. chuq
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I’m sorry she is gone. I loved Raquel and Burt Reynolds movies. What a shame he he spoke to her in a bad way.
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I always really liked her
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