Barnes & Noble

The giving spirit of Christmas inspires a change of heart in greedy, present-grubbing Alvin when he learns about Tommy, a very sick little boy whose spirits can only be lifted a harmonica -- a gift, alas, that his family cannot afford. Alvin gives Tommy his own precious instrument, just as Dave books the Chipmunks for a Christmas Eve concert (at Carnegie Hall, no less) at which Alvin is expected to perform a harmonica solo. The boys desperately try to raise money to buy Alvin a replacement. This 1981 special will be a nostalgic kick for older Chipmunk fans who will appreciate the cameo by Clyde Crashcup (a crackpot character from the original Alvin Show) and a rendition of the Chipmunks' holiday classic, "The Chipmunk Song." Queen of Cartoons June Foray has a dual role as the maternal voice of Tommy's worried mother and a mysterious stranger who rewards Alvin's altruism. Legendary Warner Bros. animator Chuck Jones is credited as creative consultant, and you can see his influence in some of the characters' priceless deadpan reaction shots. A Christmas Carol and It's a Wonderful Life inspire two more holiday themed episodes from the late 1980s' DIC incarnation of Alvin and the Chipmunks, also included on this release. In "Merry Christmas, Mr. Carroll," Alvin yet again learns the true meaning of Christmas from three nocturnal spirits who open his heart. In "Dave's Wonderful Life," a distressed, money-strapped Dave thinks the Chipmunks would have been better off if he never existed until he sees the positive influence he has had on their lives. Less patient parents might wish to hide the accompanying soundtrack CD featuring the helium-voiced trio singing traditional and original Christmas songs. Hearing "The Chipmunk Song" for the 20th time might make them nuttier than a fruitcake. Donald Liebenson

All Movie Guide

Several years after the death of novelty album recording artist Ross Bagdasarian, his son Ross Bagdasarian, Jr. brought his father's most popular creation, Alvin and the Chipmunks, back to life with a record album called Chipmunk Punk (1980). The resurgence in popularity of the high-pitched, squeaky-voiced, animated chipmunks Alvin (the mischievous one), Theodore (the giggly, shy, fat one) and Simon (the brainy one) allowed Bagdasarian, Jr. to follow that project with Alvin & the Chipmunks: A Chipmunk Christmas (1981), a half-hour television special and accompanying record album. Voicing the same character Bagdasarian had, that of the chipmunks' "father" Dave Seville, Bagdasarian, Jr. created the story of the chipmunks preparing a Carnegie Hall appearance, only to realize that Alvin has given away his harmonica, an instrument with which he's scheduled to perform a solo. On the play list for their big show was "The Chipmunk Song (Christmas, Don't Be Late)," the single that launched the chipmunks' decades-spanning career in 1958. So popular was Alvin & the Chipmunks: A Chipmunk Christmas, that in 1983, NBC produced a second chipmunks TV series, Alvin and the Chipmunks (1983-1990), which ran as a Saturday morning children's program, spawning a variety of videos and further record albums. Karl Williams

Product Details

• UPC: 097368011649
• Source: PARAMOUNT
• Region Code: 1
• Presentation: Pan & Scan
• Editions: Anniversary Edition, Bonus CD, Repackaged
• Time: 1:06:00
• Sales Rank: 24,269

This DVD is also available as part of a box set:

• Alvin and the Chipmunks - Classic Holiday Gift Set

Features:

DVD MENU