A bit before my time but nevertheless, even growing up in the 1970’s with our own sex symbol posters, we boys were aware of this famous one taken from the movie One Million Years B.C. (1966).

Raquel Welch died a few days ago in LA at the age of 82 and so powerful an image is that poster that I can’t believe she was that old.

She didn’t act in that many films and only won one major award, but she was respected by other actors and also did well on Broadway. She also wrote and spoke well and obviously had a brain since she was well aware of her image while also laughing at it and making it quite clear that she was not that person in real life. I also have to admire her for never giving in to directors or photographers who wanted her to do nude scenes.

Moreover, despite being a sex symbol the fact was that her beauty was classic; everything about her, starting with that face, was beautiful and it showed when she wore classic gowns and dresses. It also showed in the fact that her beauty held as she got older. A few years ago my daughter wanted to watch Legally Blonde and I was astounded to see how good Welch looked in a minor, but important role, aged 61.

In short, the blonde bombshell had class, something I don’t see a lot of nowadays. Farewell Miss Welch.

* The title is from the famous 1994 film The Shawshank Redemption, where prisoner Andy Dufresne has this pinup on his cell wall at the time of his escape. Before figuring out how Dufresne escaped, the warden angrily rages at the guards in the empty cell and suggests they ask Miss Welch, calling her “Fuzzy Britches”.