Raquel Welch R.I.P.
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John Johnson
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Raquel Welch R.I.P.
London. Greatest City in the world.
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Eric Paddon
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Re: Raquel Welch R.I.P.
One of the last true icons of old Hollywood and one of the most beautiful women of all time. Unlike other iconic sex symbols like Monroe, she at least lived a full life and wasn't destroyed by the system even if she had to endure so many critical barbs over her supposed lack of talent. The fact is she had a presence that went beyond the fact that she looked great on-screen and that's what made her an icon in contrast to all the other starlets of the 60s who came up at the same time she did and never made much of an impact. The reason why she's iconic in "One Million Years B.C." isn't because she looks great in a fur bikini but because she had a raw force of nature quality that sold the "believability" of the larger-than-life fantasy story. The unfortunate thing is that after OMYBC, Fox didn't properly find the right vehicle to let her show off that quality. "Fathom" was a missed opportunity because they made her character less independent than she should have been and she should have been better served in "100 Rifles." I always consider it a crime she didn't get a chance to do "Sheena" when she signed for the film in 1976 before it got put into development limbo and wasn't made for another decade with Tanya Roberts. That was a part Raquel would have nailed perfectly in the era when Lynda Carter was making a success of "Wonder Woman" on the small screen.
Raquel was capable of doing light comedy as well. Her misfortune was that the kind of parts she could have done that Jane Fonda did in the early 60s were no longer there entering the 70s (the "Sunday In New York", "Any Wednesday" type films) "Three Musketeers" finally allowed her to show off that side and got her some overdue critical recognition but even there the stigma never faded. And she also had a reasonably pleasant signing voice that helped earn good notices in her Vegas act and then as a replacement for Lauren Bacall in the Broadway musical "Woman Of The Year."
And to her credit, she always had a streak of morality in her that helped preserve her aura as an Old Hollywood sex symbol. She never did nude scenes and even when she posed for Playboy she kept her arms strategically in place above her chest, staying true to the adage that one still needed to leave more to the imagination. And despite her unfortunate lack of success in marriage with four divorces, she was never publicly associated with any big Hollywood sex scandal or affair that often defined the careers of other old Hollywood icons like Elizabeth Taylor.
RIP, Raquel Tejada. She was truly one of a kind and there'll never be another like her.
Raquel was capable of doing light comedy as well. Her misfortune was that the kind of parts she could have done that Jane Fonda did in the early 60s were no longer there entering the 70s (the "Sunday In New York", "Any Wednesday" type films) "Three Musketeers" finally allowed her to show off that side and got her some overdue critical recognition but even there the stigma never faded. And she also had a reasonably pleasant signing voice that helped earn good notices in her Vegas act and then as a replacement for Lauren Bacall in the Broadway musical "Woman Of The Year."
And to her credit, she always had a streak of morality in her that helped preserve her aura as an Old Hollywood sex symbol. She never did nude scenes and even when she posed for Playboy she kept her arms strategically in place above her chest, staying true to the adage that one still needed to leave more to the imagination. And despite her unfortunate lack of success in marriage with four divorces, she was never publicly associated with any big Hollywood sex scandal or affair that often defined the careers of other old Hollywood icons like Elizabeth Taylor.
RIP, Raquel Tejada. She was truly one of a kind and there'll never be another like her.
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Monterey Jack
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Re: Raquel Welch R.I.P.
Andy Dufresne owes his freedom to Raquel. R.I.P. to one of the most beautiful women of all time. 
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Paul MacLean
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Eric Paddon
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Re: Raquel Welch R.I.P.
Bumping this only because I discovered this fascinating post on FB that reveals just how deeply religious Raquel had become in later years. I was aware of this before since she talked a little about it in her book and I remember her positive impression of POTC, but this shows that she was much like another Hollywood icon, Steve McQueen, who came to faith much late in life and preferred to be quiet and lowkey about it.
Christopher Neiswonger is with Denada Neiswonger.
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As to Raquel Welch, thank you for your many condolences.
She was a wonderful lady and a fine Christian. The children have taken it a bit hard as they have many fond memories.
I’ll tell you a few things the usual sources won’t tell you.
First, she was a sincere Christian and an active church member. Many people (maybe most people) do things when they’re young or make decisions they think better of later in life. Because she did also she had great grace and understanding for every person. This is a great testimony of her hope in Christ.
She had no reason to play games or make a pretense of faith so she took her religion seriously. We had deep talks about theology both biblical and historical. She embraced both with passion and careful study. She wasn’t the kind of person to simply take what you say for granted; she would look it up for herself and come back with thoughtful questions.
As with many, her faith grew more powerful and practical with age. It’s often true that the most important things become the most important to us as we’ve matured personally. That’s just to say that spiritual and personal maturity are often coincident with age and life experience.
Second, she fully embraced the Reformed and Presbyterian faith as described in the Westminster standards. She would never burden others that they must because she did - but that she did isn’t really a question. She was of the old, rugged faith. She never felt the need to pressure anyone in regard to matters of faith but she also didn’t have a great deal of patience for cute or pop cultural theological moods. This was part of her strength.
Third, she was just another lady of the church. She didn’t put on airs or expect special attention (although she could hardly avoid even with the best of intentions being the most glamorous person in the room). And she often advised churches and ministries on practical and business matters because she was brilliant in those things. You didn’t think she survived and thrived 60+ years in the public eye by just being a pretty face?
Fourth, she often attributed the revitalization of her faith to others with whom she had to do including conservative Presbyterians Jimmy Stewart, Ron Reagan and Chuck Heston.
Fifth, she thought of the Reformed faith as the faith of her family, parents and ancestors and the one that was deep enough and strong enough to carry a person through a difficult and painful life.
Because of her peculiar life and the experiences that come with that she didn’t trust many people. When everyone wants to be your friend it’s hard to have any.
Still she was our friend and a delightful lady full of grace, wisdom and good humor. She loved our children and there’s no greater testimony of care and true concern than that.
We will miss her.
#raquelwelch
Christopher Neiswonger is with Denada Neiswonger.
·
As to Raquel Welch, thank you for your many condolences.
She was a wonderful lady and a fine Christian. The children have taken it a bit hard as they have many fond memories.
I’ll tell you a few things the usual sources won’t tell you.
First, she was a sincere Christian and an active church member. Many people (maybe most people) do things when they’re young or make decisions they think better of later in life. Because she did also she had great grace and understanding for every person. This is a great testimony of her hope in Christ.
She had no reason to play games or make a pretense of faith so she took her religion seriously. We had deep talks about theology both biblical and historical. She embraced both with passion and careful study. She wasn’t the kind of person to simply take what you say for granted; she would look it up for herself and come back with thoughtful questions.
As with many, her faith grew more powerful and practical with age. It’s often true that the most important things become the most important to us as we’ve matured personally. That’s just to say that spiritual and personal maturity are often coincident with age and life experience.
Second, she fully embraced the Reformed and Presbyterian faith as described in the Westminster standards. She would never burden others that they must because she did - but that she did isn’t really a question. She was of the old, rugged faith. She never felt the need to pressure anyone in regard to matters of faith but she also didn’t have a great deal of patience for cute or pop cultural theological moods. This was part of her strength.
Third, she was just another lady of the church. She didn’t put on airs or expect special attention (although she could hardly avoid even with the best of intentions being the most glamorous person in the room). And she often advised churches and ministries on practical and business matters because she was brilliant in those things. You didn’t think she survived and thrived 60+ years in the public eye by just being a pretty face?
Fourth, she often attributed the revitalization of her faith to others with whom she had to do including conservative Presbyterians Jimmy Stewart, Ron Reagan and Chuck Heston.
Fifth, she thought of the Reformed faith as the faith of her family, parents and ancestors and the one that was deep enough and strong enough to carry a person through a difficult and painful life.
Because of her peculiar life and the experiences that come with that she didn’t trust many people. When everyone wants to be your friend it’s hard to have any.
Still she was our friend and a delightful lady full of grace, wisdom and good humor. She loved our children and there’s no greater testimony of care and true concern than that.
We will miss her.
#raquelwelch