Playboy December 1979

COVER STORY
If ever there were any question that Raquel Welch is one of the sexiest women in America, this photo of her by Chris Von Wangenheim should settle all arguments forever. For still more of Raquel, including her thoughts about her burgeoning career as a serious actress, see Raquel on page 156.

7 PLAYBILL
17 THE WORLD OF PLAYBOY
23 DEAR PLAYBOY
37 PLAYBOY AFTER HOURS
47 MOVIES
54 ADVENTURES
56 MUSIC
64 TRAVEL
68 BOOKS
72 COMING ATTRACTIONS
77 THE PLAYBOY ADVISOR
85 THE PLAYBOY FORUM
99 PLAYBOY INTERVIEW: AL PACINO—candid conversation
The first in-depth interview with everybody's favorite short, dark and handsome type. He reviews his roles in The Godfather and Dog Day Afternoon and discusses the three loves of his life: women, acting and New York City.
156 RAQUEL—pictorial essay BUCK HENRY and LAWRENCE S. DIETZ
She has changed her image from one of raw sexuality to that of elegant sexuality, and we like it, we like it!
168 THE HOLY LAND—fiction JOHN UPDIKE
Spending his holiday with his new wife in Jerusalem, Henry Bech finds it hard to get it up for religion.
171 DREAMING OF A WHITE CHRISTMAS—drink .. EMANUEL GREENBERG
Drink light over the holidays; light-colored spirits, wines and liqueurs, that is.
173 THE EXECUTIONER'S SONG—article NORMAN MAILER
The conclusion of our excerpt from Mailer's chilling new book of the same title. Gilmore's date with the firing squad is set, and he faces his own death as unflinchingly as he committed murder.
178 THE GREAT COMIC HEROES TRIVIA QUIZ DAVID A. FRYXELL
Comics are bigger than ever, so stare through these pages to test yourself on esoteric comic lore. What? No X-ray vision? How about your spider sense? No? Try your thumb.
180 SEX IN AMERICA: LOS ANGELES—article ... BARRY FARRELL and PENELOPE McMILLAN
There isn't as much sex for sale in Lotusland as there is in some big cities, because there's so much of it for free. If you can't get any there, you might as well wait until your next reincarnation. Everybody gets it there.
181 HOLLYWOOD—article JAMES WOHL
A spec a inside—very inside—look at the kink center of the universe.
185 TWO FOR THE SHOW—attire DAVID PLATT
Call it unisex if you must, but it's easier than ever before for you and your lady to outfit yourselves off the same rack.
193 THE WINNER—verse SHEL SILVERSTEIN
There s only one thing wrong with being the top man all the time: It damn near kills you.
198 CANNY CANDACE—playboy's playmate of the month
Candy Collins may be one of Chicago's favorite fashion models, but she isn't content. She wants a new career behind the camera.
210 PLAYBOY'S PARTY JOKES—humor
212 USED IN EVIDENCE—fiction FREDERICK FORSYTH
Sometimes when you tear down an old building, you find something unexpectedly interesting inside the walls.
215 PLAYBOY'S CHRISTMAS GIFT GUIDE—gifts
For the man who likes to play Santa with style.
221 LE ROY NEIMAN SKETCHBOOK—pictorial
America's foremost popular artist takes a colorful look at Cuba's heavyweight champ, Teofilo Stevenson.
222 PLAYMATES FOREVER!—pictorial
Thirteen centerfold ladies from years past prove that some women, like some wines, get better with age. Models include Connie Kreski, Dede Lind, Eleanor Bradley, Heidi Becker, Jo Collins, Lisa Baker, Liv Lindeland, Nancy Scott, Reagan Wilson, and Sharon Johansen.
235 A BONEHEAD COURSE IN N.F.L. BETTING—article LAWRENCE LINDERMAN
238 PETER BEARD—visual diary
The world through the eyes of one of the last great eccentric aristocrats. He's a friend of the rich and famous, photographer par excellence, explorer and Cheryl Tiegs's current companion. What more can we say?
242 BERSERK ANGEL—personality WILLIAM BRASHLER
Who is Richard Pryor? Sweet guy? Maniac? Racist? Humanitarian? Only Richard Pryor knows for sure, and he's not telling.
244 TEACH YOUR CHILDREN WELL—humor SHEL SILVERSTEIN
When you give your kids the best of what you know, be sure that what you know is the best.
249 BUCK RABBIT—amusements
Want to make your money multiply? Make two Playboy Rabbits out of dollar bills, then give them a little privacy.
250 SEX STARS OF 1979—pictorial essay JIM HARWOOD
The silver screen was kind of cool this past year, but the private lives of the stars were hotter than ever.
262 THE PHILTER OF THE SHAMAN OF SUNGTAO—ribald classic
267 PLAYBOY'S COLLEGE BASKETBALL PREVIEW—sports .. ANSON MOUNT
Our early selections for the best undergrad round-ball players in America.
272 PLAYBOY'S CHRISTMAS CARDS—verse TOM KOCH
Timely sentiments you won't find at your local stationer's.
276 THE 1980 PLAYBOY MUSIC POLL—music
Time to vote for your favorite performers, from jazz to rock to R&B to country.
281 PLAYBOY FUNNIES—humor
291 PLAYBOY'S PIPELINE
A look ahead at American cars in the Eighties.
344 PLAYBOY POTPOURRI
379 PLAYBOY'S NEW AGE PRIMER
393 PLAYBOY'S INFORMED SOURCE
How to enjoy the Winter without freezing your buns off.
401 LITTLE ANNIE FANNY—satire HARVEY KURTZMAN and WILL ELDER
405 PLAYBOY ON THE SCENE
Gifts for women, shiny clothes, solar homes. Plus Grapevine and Sex News.