| CINEMATIC GODDESS: AMERICAN SEX SYMBOL, THE FILMS OF RAQUEL WELCH, February 10-14 |
| Wednesday, 18 January 2012 05:56 |
 The Film Society of Lincoln Center announced details today for the upcoming film series, Cinematic Goddess: American Sex Symbol, The Films of Raquel Welch (February 10-14). Screening at the Walter Reade Theater (165 West 65th Street), and highlighted by the attendance of Welch at several screenings, the film series includes such notable classics as 100 RIFLES (1969), HANNIE CAULDER (1972), KANSAS CITY BOMBER (1972), MYRA BRECKINRIDGE (1970), ONE MILLION YEARS B.C. (1967), as well as THE THREE MUSKETEERS (1974), featuring her Golden Globe winning performance. Programing Associate Josh Strauss said, “An award-winning screen icon that defined a generation, Raquel Welch remains an unrivaled presence on the big screen, fueled by an infectious charisma combined with her exquisite organic beauty. It will be a thrill to offer this retrospective of her work as well as have Raquel herself, on stage at the Walter Reade Theater to talk about several of those films and her experiences making them."
Born Jo Raquel Tejada on September 5, 1940 in Chicago, Illinois, and raised in San Diego, California, Raquel Welch won a number of teen beauty titles ("Miss Photogenic," "Miss La Jolla," and "Miss San Diego" among them) prior to studying theater arts at San Diego State College on a scholarship starting in 1958.
Welch’s acting career got its start on television in the early 60s with small roles on popular series such as “The Virginian,” “McHale’s Navy,” and “Bewitched,” as well as films like ROUSTABOUT (1964) with Elvis Presley, DO NOT DISTURB (1965) with Doris Day and A SWINGIN’ SUMMER (1965).
However, Welch’s appearances in Richard Fleischer’s FANTASTIC VOYAGE (1966) and in Hammer Film’s ONE MILLION YEARS B.C. (1967) (as well as that of her now, iconic, doeskin bikini in that film) effectively established Welch as her generation’s sex symbol. She followed with notable roles as the deadly sin representing "lust" opposite Dudley Moore and Peter Cook in BEDAZZLED (1967) and as the title secret agent in the sexy spy spoof FATHOM (1967). Her scenes with former pro football player Jim Brown in the western 100 RIFLES (1969) as well as the transgendered title role in the audacious MYRA BRECKINRIDGE (1970) infamously adapted from Gore Vidal’s novel also courted notoriety at the time.
The 70s featured Welch’s most celebrated roles on the big screen including HANNIE CAULDER (1972), KANSAS CITY BOMBER (1972), Herbert Ross’ THE LAST OF SHEILA (1973), James Ivory’s THE WILD PARTY (1975), Peter Yates’ MOTHER, JUGS & SPEED (1976), and Richard Lester’s THE THREE MUSKETEERS (1974) for which she won a Golden Globe for Best Actress in a Musical or Comedy. The 80s were highlighted by Welch’s work in movies made for television including “The Legend of Walks Far Woman (1982) and “Right to Die” (1987).
On stage, Welch starred in productions of "Woman of the Year" and "Victor/Victoria" and has made recent notable appearances on television in "Seinfeld" (1997), “Spin City” (1997-2000), “8 Simple Rules” (2004), as well as co-starring in the Hispanic-oriented TV series “American Family” (2002) and in the comedy “Welcome to the Captain” (2008). Recent big-screen appearances include TORTILLA SOUP (2001), LEGALLY BLONDE (2001) and FORGET ABOUT IT (2006). Welch will soon be seen in an episode of “CSI Miami.”
Tickets go on sale both at the box office and on-line Thursday, January 26. Discounts are available for students, seniors and Film Society members. Read more about The Film Society of Lincoln Center.Screenings will be held at the Film Society of Lincoln Center's Walter Reade Theater (located at 165 West 65th Street, between Amsterdam Avenue and Broadway).
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