Raquel! (TV program)

Raquel! was an April 26, 1970 television special starring Raquel Welch and Tom Jones. Infobox Television film
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name = Raquel!


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caption = "Tonight, Raquel Welch entertains Bob Hope, John Wayne, Tom Jones (and vice versa) You're invited!"
format = Variety Special
runtime = 48 Min
creator = David Winters
director = David Winters
producer = David Winters
writer = Doug Tibbles. Larry Alexander, Jonathan Axelrod
starring = Raquel Welch, Tom Jones, Bob Hope, John Wayne
editing = Erwin Dumbrille John A. Martinelli
music = Don Randi .
budget =
country = USA
language = English
network = NBC
released = April 26. 1970
first_aired =
num_episodes =
preceded_by =
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imdb_id = 0174154
tv_com_id =
amg_id = 204629

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.cite book
last= Brown
first= Les
title= Television: The Business Behind the Box
pages= pp187,188
chapter= Raquel!
location=
publisher= Harcourt Brace Jovanovich
origyear= 1971
isbn= 9780156884402] Quote box
quote = The 1833 ed or "The Lady of Shallot", avalable at sister project:
source = [http://en.wikisource.org/wiki/The_Lady_of_Shalott_(1833) WikiSource]
width = 20%
align = left 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 [cite web |url= http://www.jabootu.com/vcaprilohsix.htm |title= Video Cheese: Raquel! |date= 2008-10-08 .

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 I he opened the set with a solo. Even Bob Hope sang a duet, the Beatles' "Rocky Raccoon" The around the world shots dazzled as the songs themselves calmed.

The DVD Release

The home video of the special was released by V.I.E.W. in 1998WELCH, R., WAYNE, J., & HOPE, B.,cite book |isbn=0803023251 |name= DVD |title= Raquel!, V.I.E.W. Inc., NY, NY, "Winters, David", Dir. ] . It is very light on special features. Included are a three page biography of Welch, a single screen biography of Jones and a Welche photo gallery consisting of scenes from the special, and voiceover from the special. Unlike other vintage TV specials on DVD [ see Movin' With Nancy] , no commentary track was present.

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.

References