Magic Moments on Ice II

The other evening I viewed my copy of "Magic Moments on Ice II" and again tremendously enjoyed the varied programs by the many wonderful figure skaters whose routines were included in the videotape:

Scott Hamilton - "Battle Hymn of the Republic" - Scott had dedicated this number to the 1961 US World Team that perished in the tragic air plane crash en route to the 1961 World Championships.

Peggy Fleming - "Pachelbel Canon in D" - This was Peggys' return to figure skating competition - 1983. It had been 15 years since her last competition, the 1968 Worlds. She looked beautiful, and she skated a lovely program.

Jayne Torvill & Christopher Dean - "I Won't Send Roses" from "Mack & Mabel). This was their 1984 Olympic exhibition program, skated after they had won the ice dance gold medal. Another brilliant program.

John Curry - "Scheherazade" - This was his 1976 Olyjmpic exhibition program, skated after his brilliant victory in the men's competition.

Irina Rodnina & Alexsandr Zaitsev - "Kalinka". This was their 1980 Olympic exhbition program, following their victory (her third) in the pairs competition. This music has been skated to by many Soviet skaters, and its folksy, spirited beat was very well suited to Rodnina & Zaitsev's athletic style.

Janet Lynn - "Prelude fo Afternoon of a Faun" - WOW. Another beautiful program by Janet. She just floats across the ice, with effortless, perfect jumps.

Toller Cranston - "Vesti La Giubba" from "I Pagliacci". Toller was one of the most innovative skaters of his era, with unusual spins and positions. The number started with "heart beats" in the music. Toller clutched his chest to the rhythm of the "heart beats", and then unleashed the program.

Kitty & Peter Carruthers - "America the Beautiful". They skated a terrific number fo Ray Charles' rendition of this music.

Dorothy Hamill - "Romance" - the 1976 Olympic champion skated this number in 1985, and she showed the same grace, artistry, and speed that she has always displayed.

Robin Cousins - "Satan Takes a Holiday". The 1980 Olympic champion won the 1985 World Pro title with this excellent number. It included high flying jumps and spins, tap dancing on the ice, and other highly inventive moves. His delayed single axel seemed to be suspended in time for about ten seconds before he landed it. Terrific!

Katia Gordeeva & Sergei Grinkov - "Meditation" from "Thias". G & G were so lovely, so much in tune with each other, and this number was one of their best, in my opinion. Every time I watch old tapes of them, it brings back such sadness that Sergei is no longer alive.

Katarina Witt - "I am What I Am" from "La Cage Aux Folles". Katarina skated this exhibition number following the 1988 season, during which she won her second Olympic gold medal and fourth World title. She said, "I found this piece of music before the 1988 season and I thought, "If I am on top when the season is finished, I must skate to this music". It was entertaining, and Kat showed her talent as a show skater.

Brian Orser - "The Story of My Life". Brian said he wanted to skate this number to thank the many Canadian fans (and fans from around the world) who had supported him throughout his career. He skated this to the singing of Neil Diamond. It was moving and beautifully skated.

Marina Klimova & Sergei Ponomarenko - "Symphony #5". The 1992 Olympic ice dance champions skated this number at the World Pros. It was dramatic and very theatrical.

Kristi Yamaguchi - "Pretty Woman" - The 1992 Olympic champion skated this exhibition number in the 1991 and 1992 seasons.

Paul Wylie - "Why, God, Why?" from "Miss Saigon". Paul skated this competitive program in 1993 and won the competition with three clean triple jumps. It was a top-notch number of Paul.

Barbara Underhill and Paul Martini - "Unchained Melody" - Barb and Paul skated this superb number to win the World Pros (which they won several times in the 1980s). Their choreography was full of emotion and technical moves.

Brian Boitano - "Water Fountain" The 1988 Olympic champion skated this number on an Alaskian glacier as part of his "Canvas on Ice" television special. The number showed glorious scenery and Brian's spectacular skating. He skated a single, double, and triple axel jump in rapid succession and seemed to be enthralled as he skated. He said, "When I skated this number, I was so touched by the scenery that I was almost in tears."

Great skating, everyone!!!

Another great post! Yes, I have had the privilege of seeing some of these programs live. They are "magic" as you say. Brian Orsers' "The Story of My Life" brings tears to my eyes everytime. He also dedicated it to his mother as it was her favorite. Of course, the incomporable Toller is just perfection itself. Thanks for the memories.

I thought Why God Why was Paul's exhibition piece at 92 Oly's. I remember that He and Nancy then skated a duet to another song from Miss Saigon.

I have all 3 Magic Memory tapes. I wish they would put them on DVD. It's been a long time - I wonder if there are plans for MM IV?

Most of these skaters seem to be SOI former skaters. Is there any connection.

Ladybug

heyang said:

I

I have all 3 Magic Memory tapes. I wish they would put them on DVD. It's been a long time - I wonder if there are plans for MM IV?

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I have this whole series on VHS too. Gee, would I love to have them all on DVD at this point!

heyang said:

I thought Why God Why was Paul's exhibition piece at 92 Oly's. I remember that He and Nancy then skated a duet to another song from Miss Saigon.

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True; however, Paul Wylie also competed with his "Why God, Why" piece of music from "Miss Saigon". This was one instance in which a piece of music was equally suitable for competitive and exhibition skating.

ladybug said:

Most of these skaters seem to be SOI former skaters. Is there any connection.

Ladybug

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Well, they all happen to be outstanding skaters, and, indeed, may of them did skate with Stars on Ice. As you know, many of the best skaters did and/or are now skating with SOI. That's their connection. If you're asking if this was a
Stars on Ice videotape, the answer is no.

Ladskater said:

Another great post! Yes, I have had the privilege of seeing some of these programs live. They are "magic" as you say. Brian Orsers' "The Story of My Life" brings tears to my eyes everytime. He also dedicated it to his mother as it was her favorite. Of course, the incomporable Toller is just perfection itself. Thanks for the memories.

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I, too, have had the pleasure of seeing some of these programs live - fantastic!
I saw Katarina Witt, Brian Orser, Brian Boitano, Scott Hamilton, to name just a few. What wonderful performers they are - and what wonderful memories they have given to us.

I just love "Water Fountain" - what a great piece of music! IMHO, Brian Boitano's performance to that music, on the Alaskian glacier, was definitely a signature piece for him. A real masterpiece.

It's been in the high 90s around here - very hot and humid - just the kind of weather in which a "fix" of figure skating is needed. This wondeful videotape has been a welcome friend of mine during these hot and lazy days of summer.

Great, great performances by one and all!!

MM2 is great indeed. Did you notice Peggy's 1 1/2 flip in that Pachelbel routine?

And I truly love the glacier/Boitano thing

But I wish I hadn't bothered with MM1-there are hardly any complete or nearly complete programs.

If you get a read/write DVD player, you can convert to DVD. With a capture card or a videocam you can convert to storage on your PC.

DORISPULASKI said:

MM2 is great indeed. Did you notice Peggy's 1 1/2 flip in that Pachelbel routine?

And I truly love the glacier/Boitano thing

But I wish I hadn't bothered with MM1-there are hardly any complete or nearly complete programs.

If you get a read/write DVD player, you can convert to DVD. With a capture card or a videocam you can convert to storage on your PC.

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You're right about MM1, Doris - there was only one complete program - Dorothy Hamill's 1976 Olympic long program and a good-sized portion of Peggy Fleming's 1968 US Nationals long program. Still, I enjoyed the film clips of Dick Button, Sonja Henie, Carol Heiss, and the rest of the great skaters from the past.

ladybug said:

Most of these skaters seem to be SOI former skaters. Is there any connection.

Ladybug

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Actually, I believe Meg Streeter Lauck did these in cooperation with ABC, so it had nothing to do with SOI (at least, Meg was not doing it as an SOI thing, as far as I know). From what I heard, they were limited by what they could get music releases on and what was actually available in the files (much of the original MMoI was, I think, from ABC broadcasts, and many of the MMoI II were also, if I recall correctly). It is my understanding that many skating tapes are simply not available any more -- as with anything, once they tape a show and then edit it down for what will make airtime, they throw the video tape back into the "bin" and it is used again for another show -- in other words, taped over. So, things that didn't make a TV broadcast are often not available at all. And since the older broadcasts used to often show only clips of programs, that's all they had available.

These were put out, I believe, before T&D were involved with SOI. K&P, Janet Lynn, Robn Cousins, Brian Boitano, Rodnina & Zaitsev and several others were never involved in SOI as far as I know.

I've enjoyed these tapes very much, although I did wish for complete programs on the first tape. Still, a nice collection of "magic" memories.

Just wanted to let others know of a great video site,

http://fsvids.9.forumer.com/

I have been just overwhelmed with what has been posted there. Most of the the winning programs at Ladies US Nationals between 1953 and 1985 have been posted. Tenley Albright's and Carol Heiss' full programs have been uploaded as has Janet Lynn's.

SusanBeth said:

Just wanted to let others know of a great video site,

http://fsvids.9.forumer.com/

I have been just overwhelmed with what has been posted there. Most of the the winning programs at Ladies US Nationals between 1953 and 1985 have been posted. Tenley Albright's and Carol Heiss' full programs have been uploaded as has Janet Lynn's.

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Thanks!!

MMII sounds awesome. Is it still possible to buy a copy? If so, where?

tharrtell said:

MMII sounds awesome. Is it still possible to buy a copy? If so, where?

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It is (awesome), it is!!

Since they are ABC videos, maybe you should contact ABC Sports. I don't know if they're still available, but it's definitely worth asking about it. Good luck! :thumbsup:

tharrtell said:

MMII sounds awesome. Is it still possible to buy a copy? If so, where?

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There are several copies available on amazon.com