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You Must Remember This (1994)
written by Teresa Klakamp
You Must Remember This was filmed in 1994 and is completely different from
Kurt's earlier specials and the documentaries about Kurt. Even fans of Kurt
Browning's who have not been lucky enough yet to watch this, probably know
that it won five Canadian Gemini Awards and that it features Kurt's now
famous scene skating to Singing in the Rain.
I'm going to provide some information now from Sandra Bezic's book, The
Passion to Skate. She describes the making of just the one scene to Singing
in the Rain. She indicates that it took the CBC crew three months to build
the set and another three days to set it up in the arena. Keeping the ice
from melting was described as a constant problem. They could only shoot 30
seconds at a time before everyone available had to take oversized squeeges to
push away the pools of water. This process is actually shown briefly at the
end of the special.
In my opinion, Singing in the Rain is THE best skating number ever. In fact,
I read once that the reason Kurt has never skated to Singing in the Rain in
any shows is that he felt he could never create the magic again. Kurt really
does appear to be tap dancing on the ice during this number and the scene is
perfect down to every minute detail. Kurt really does appear to be Gene
Kelley on the ice.
I could talk about just this one number forever, but I'll force myself to
move on to the rest of the show. You Must Remember This includes a great
number made to look like a Rock Video and done to the song Simply
Irresistable. Kurt introduces this number by telling how he used to get
kidded a lot by the guys on his hockey team because he also figure skated.
He then says that his next number is dedicated to all of those people who
teased him way back when. I think Kurt definitely got the last laugh with
this number. Kristi Yamaguchi, Christine Hough and Josee Choinard appear
with Kurt and as a true Kurt fan, one of my favorite parts is at the end when
Kurt slides by the three women on the ice wearing his pants, but no shirt.
Kurt also talks about his training in ballet and how he believes it has
improved his skating. If Singing in the Rain was tap dancing on the ice,
then the next number by Kurt truly is ballet on the ice. His incredible
range as a performer and his ability to mesmerize an audience is once again
shown here as he skates to Cavalleria Rusticana by Mascagni.
Kurt's rapport with children is shown in a segment where he is first roller
blading outside and then inside where he sings (yes, sings) and skates to
"Make 'Em Laugh" to entertain the same children. I felt that the viewer of
this show can really feel how much he is genuinely enjoying himself during
this part.
Another highlight of You Must Remember This is a spoof of a Humphrey
Bogart-style 1940s detective movie called "The Big Melt." Kurt plays the
lead, of course and it is filmed in black and white to really give the right
atmosphere. Kurt's investigation starts at the request of Christine Hough
and includes a scene where he is roughed up by some bad guys during his
investigation of Mr. Big played by Doug Ladret. Josee and Kristi also have
roles in the Big Melt and Kurt skates with all three of the ladies at
different times. Its hard to really describe The Big Melt and do it justice
so let's just suffice it to say that like everything else in You Must
Remember This, it is completely unique and deserving of every award it has
ever gotten, and then some.
Kurt also skates in a practice rink to "Have A Little Faith In Me" written and sung by John Hiatt,
which is done so beautifully that I could watch it forever. A couple of
clips of crowds strategically cheering for Kurt are shown during the number
which really add to the whole atmosphere of this segment.
You Must Remember This ends by once again showing Singing in the Rain.
Believe me, this is so good, even twice is not enough!.
Teresa Klakamp
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