For any student of surrealism and/or pop culture, this 1970 curiosity is a must-see. See Raquel jam onstage with Tom Jones. See Raquel tour a Mexican orphanage with John Wayne. See Raquel joke/sing "Rocky Raccoon" with Bob Hope. All this when she's not crooning top 40 hits of the era (songs from HAIR, Midnight Cowboy, The Graduate, etc.) while traipsing around exotic locales (Paris, London, the pyramids of Mexico!) in a couple dozen gloriously gaudy Bob Mackie costumes that look like they were designed by the "I Dream of Jeannie" crew on LSD. A prime example of the "star-vehicle" tv-special centering on the acting, singing, dancing, dressing, clowning talents of Raquel. Any fan of Ms. Welch must catch this rare showcase. Anyone looking for a camp extravaganza won't be disappointed.
5 Reviews
Aquarius/Let The Sun Shine In
RavenGlamDVDCollector24 August 2017
Screen goddess Raquel Welch, famed for ONE MILLION YEARS B.C. in which she made bikini history... in an April 1970 TV special. If this is not a Collector's Item, I don't know what is.
No, I haven't seen RAQUEL! But right after submitting this review, I'm gonna start an initiative to find it on my seller site.
{note: found it after frantic search, it was hidden away, but yeah, planning to go for this next week!}
Hopefully I can one day update this. In the meantime, this counts as a review for one particular segment, the above- mentioned song(s).
When doing research on MYRA BRECKINRIDGE some time last year, I came across a download of this very old music video, "Aquarius/Let the Sun Shine In" and, yes, like one of the other reviewers called it, "trippy" and really, a time capsule for a bygone era. Hey, the Kylie Minogue music video "Celebration" has a very similar "drummers" scene in it, obviously inspired.
This is a vintage music video from way back and I would dearly like to have it on proper DVD. No, I do not think Raquel is THAT great as a singer, but here, in a wild costume, she sure tries, and most certainly is hot, and this is, like, HISTORIC, man!
No, I haven't seen RAQUEL! But right after submitting this review, I'm gonna start an initiative to find it on my seller site.
{note: found it after frantic search, it was hidden away, but yeah, planning to go for this next week!}
Hopefully I can one day update this. In the meantime, this counts as a review for one particular segment, the above- mentioned song(s).
When doing research on MYRA BRECKINRIDGE some time last year, I came across a download of this very old music video, "Aquarius/Let the Sun Shine In" and, yes, like one of the other reviewers called it, "trippy" and really, a time capsule for a bygone era. Hey, the Kylie Minogue music video "Celebration" has a very similar "drummers" scene in it, obviously inspired.
This is a vintage music video from way back and I would dearly like to have it on proper DVD. No, I do not think Raquel is THAT great as a singer, but here, in a wild costume, she sure tries, and most certainly is hot, and this is, like, HISTORIC, man!
Must see trippy TV!
Maciste_Brother23 September 2004
I recently caught this old TV special on a local music channel and I couldn't believe what I was watching. Over-the-top comes to mind. My jaw was on the floor. They must have spent a lot of money on this TV special.
RAQUEL! is true time capsule. Except for the studio bound ending with Bob Hope (the weakest part of the special, even though Raquel makes a sexy Mae West), the rest was filmed all over the world, most of it in outdoor settings and the effect is quite surprising. The over-the-top musical moments are like watching over-the-top Duran Duran videos, made a decade before the Brit pop band was formed. The "Aquarius/Let The Sunshine In" moment has to be seen to be believed. And the trippy dance sequence during the opening song "California Dreamin'" set in Paris is a total hoot! BTW, beautiful Raquel was made to look a lot like Brigitte Bardot in the Paris bit.
It's trippy, gaudy, and a true glimpse of what was "in" in 1970. But what's really surprising is how much I like Raquel's version of those songs. I wish they were available on CD. The orchestration is excellent.
RAQUEL! is a true oddity (why John Wayne and Bob Hope?) and a true one-of-a-kind TV special. I love it!
RAQUEL! is true time capsule. Except for the studio bound ending with Bob Hope (the weakest part of the special, even though Raquel makes a sexy Mae West), the rest was filmed all over the world, most of it in outdoor settings and the effect is quite surprising. The over-the-top musical moments are like watching over-the-top Duran Duran videos, made a decade before the Brit pop band was formed. The "Aquarius/Let The Sunshine In" moment has to be seen to be believed. And the trippy dance sequence during the opening song "California Dreamin'" set in Paris is a total hoot! BTW, beautiful Raquel was made to look a lot like Brigitte Bardot in the Paris bit.
It's trippy, gaudy, and a true glimpse of what was "in" in 1970. But what's really surprising is how much I like Raquel's version of those songs. I wish they were available on CD. The orchestration is excellent.
RAQUEL! is a true oddity (why John Wayne and Bob Hope?) and a true one-of-a-kind TV special. I love it!
A mind-ending mess
cudkey27 March 2017
Warning: Spoilers
A friend and I sat down at her house one evening and watched Raquel! She said afterward that she didn't feel too well, that she felt like lying down, and that it was because of the movie (not kidding).
I'd say the following are some of the things that upset her. The out-of-control Age of Aquarius production number, on location in the desert, complete with designer shamanistic regalia. The "Good Golly Miss Molly" Tom Jones lounge medley duet. (Just, why?) The bizarre Bob Hope "Rocky Raccoon" debacle, with its backfiring Mae West impression.
But beyond the shock, emotional confusion, aesthetic trauma, and sheer incomprehension engendered by any individual set-piece, there's the cumulative effect of all these freakish episodes in quick succession. I predict Raquel!'s reputation will rise. It's almost singularly wrong-headed and disorienting - inadvertent art that outpaces a lot of pretentious alternatives.
I'd say the following are some of the things that upset her. The out-of-control Age of Aquarius production number, on location in the desert, complete with designer shamanistic regalia. The "Good Golly Miss Molly" Tom Jones lounge medley duet. (Just, why?) The bizarre Bob Hope "Rocky Raccoon" debacle, with its backfiring Mae West impression.
But beyond the shock, emotional confusion, aesthetic trauma, and sheer incomprehension engendered by any individual set-piece, there's the cumulative effect of all these freakish episodes in quick succession. I predict Raquel!'s reputation will rise. It's almost singularly wrong-headed and disorienting - inadvertent art that outpaces a lot of pretentious alternatives.
Raquel Welch sings (and seriously sizzles) in this enjoyable TV special
Woodyanders21 September 2017
Warning: Spoilers
This TV special was clearly done as an obvious showcase for Raquel Welch to display her talents as a singer, dancer, and comedienne. Raquel naturally looks absolutely gorgeous and radiates plenty of charm. Moreover, Raquel belts out such popular hit songs as "Everybody's Talking'," "Good Morning Starshine," "Aquarius/Let the Sun Shine" (this one's a gloriously tripped-out psychedelic doozy!), and "California Dreamin'" with considerable verve and surprising competence as well as registers nicely as a sprightly and entertaining dancer, with the crazy/sexy space girl routine rating as a definite wacky highlight. John Wayne pokes good-natured fun at himself and, with Raquel in tow, visits a Mexican orphanage. Tom Jones pours on his trademark robust lounge lizard glitz with aplomb and sings a lively medley of songs with Raquel. The show only falters when Raquel teams up with Bop Hope: Their goofy "Rocky Raccoon" comedy sketch just isn't that funny, although Raquel's Mae West impression ain't half bad. Director David Winters keeps everything zipping at a snappy pace and makes the most out of the breathtaking scenery. Stephen H. Burum's vibrant cinematography boasts lots of groovy stylistic flourishes and provides an impressive sense of scope. The globe-trotting locations add an extra tasty exotic flavor. Essential viewing for Raquel fans.
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