A Chipmunk Christmas
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A Chipmunk Christmas is an animated christmas television special based on characters from Alvin and the Chipmunks. It aired on the NBC television network in 1981, nine years after the death of Alvin and the Chipmunks creator Ross Bagdasarian, Sr. (also known as David Seville). This was the first time that Alvin, Simon and David Seville were voiced by Ross Bagdasarian, Jr. and the first time that Theodore was voiced by Janice Karman.
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[edit] Soundtrack album release
A soundtrack album based on the television special was released in 1981. The album serves as the group's third Christmas album and their twelfth album overall.
The album managed to peak at #72 on Billboard's Pop Albums Chart and was certified Gold by RIAA, becoming the group's third and final gold album.
Between 1992-2001, the album, which was originally released on LP, was re-released on cassette and compact disc formats.
[edit] Featured songs
- It's Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas
- Christmas Time is Here (Jingle Bells parody)
- The Chipmunk Song (Christmas Don't Be Late)
- The Spirit of Christmas
- Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas
- Crashcup Invents Christmas
- Here Comes Santa Claus (Right Down Santa Claus Lane)
- Silent Night
- Sleigh Ride
- Deck the Halls
- We Wish You a Merry Christmas
[edit] Animated special
The special starts out with a doctor visiting the family of a sick boy named Tommy who has come down with a bad case of cholera. He admits that the chance of Tommy recovering before Christmas is bleak.
Meanwhile, the Chipmunks have a recording session. Alvin is not very happy about having to work on Christmas, but after Dave tells him that he can play his prized Golden Echo harmonica, he makes Dave a compromise: Dave can get everything set up in the studio while he and his brothers go window shopping. Dave agrees to this, and tells them not to be late.
At the music store, Alvin sees another Golden Echo harmonica, and tells his own harmonica that it's the best harmonica in the world. At that moment, Tommy's mother and sister arrive at the store, and he overhears Tommy's sister tell her mother that if Tommy had the Golden Echo harmonica, it would make him feel better. Alvin feels bad about Tommy's cholera, so much so that during the recording session, he can't sing in tune with the others. Dave gives the Chipmunks a break, so he goes to Tommy's house and presents him with his (Alvin's) own harmonica, returning in time to finish the session.
Unfortunately, later, while the Chipmunks are decorating the tree, Dave gets a phonecall from Carnegie Hall- they want Alvin to play his harmonica on Christmas Eve. Alvin reveals what he did to Simon and Theodore, and makes a plan to get enough money for a new harmonica.
The Chipmunks gather up all the dogs in the neighbourhood, and set up a photo booth, where children can have their photo taken with Santa (Alvin). Unfortunately, the presence of a cat ruins the whole thing, and draws Dave's attention. Although he wants to know what happened, Alvin tells Simon and Theodore that they can't tell Dave about the harmonica, as Dave gave it to Alvin long ago, and Alvin is worried that Dave's feelings would be hurt if he learned what happened. As a result, Dave mistakes Alvin's actions for greed, and sends him to his room. This leads to a dream sequence involving Clyde Crashcup, who says that he has invented Christmas and Santa (Abraham Lincoln in a sleigh pulled by 4 elephants). Alvin tells him he needs money, and when Dave comes to check up on him, he is saying "money" in his sleep, causing Dave to give up.
On Christmas Eve, 2 hours before the concert, Theodore and Simon give Alvin the money they have saved up, and wish him luck on buying the harmonica. When asked where Alvin went, they lie and say they don't know. Luckily, just as Dave is complaining, he gets a phonecall from Tommy's mother, who tells him about Alvin's harmonica and the wonders it worked for Tommy.
At the music store, Alvin [Who is hatless (He sold his hat)] is depressed, as he still doesn't have enough money for a new harmonica. Just then, a strange old woman appears, and buys it for him, only asking for a song in return, but disappearing by the end.
Dave, Simon and Theodore arrive, and Dave apologises to Alvin and tells him they have a surprise for him. At the concert, Alvin learns that Tommy has fully recovered, and he joins the Chipmunks on stage.
At the end, Santa Claus returns to the North Pole, where he is greeted by his wife- the same old woman who bought Alvin the harmonica. As Santa flies over the city before returning home, you could hear the Chipmunks singing "We Wish You A Merry Chistmas".
[edit] 25th Anniversary Special Collector's Edition
A 25th Anniversary Special Edition came out on September 26, 2006 from Bagdasarian Productions and Paramount Home Entertainment. It is a 2-disc set including the A CHIPMUNK CHRISTMAS DVD and the classic CD soundtrack. the DVD has The Chipmunk Christmas special plus two other episodes of Alvin and the Chipmunks.
[edit] Voice actors and their characters
- Ross Bagdasarian, Jr. - Alvin, Simon, David Seville
- Janice Karman - Theodore, Angela Waterford
- June Foray - (Regular voice actress) Mrs. Claus, Mrs. Waterford
- Frank Welker - (Regular voice actor) Santa Claus
- Shepard Menken - Clyde Crashcup
- R. J. Williams - Tommy Waterford
[edit] External links
- A Chipmunk Christmas at Allmovie
- A Chipmunk Christmas at the Big Cartoon DataBase
- A Chipmunk Christmas at the Internet Movie Database
- A brief excerpt on YouTube
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