Changes: A Chipmunk Christmas

Revision as of 01:15, 12 October 2015

A Chipmunk Christmas is an animated Christmas television special starring Alvin and the Chipmunks. It first aired on December 14, 1981, approximately nine years after the death of the Chipmunks' creator, Ross Bagdasarian (also known as David Seville). This is one of the first television specials in which his son, Ross Bagdasarian Jr., provided voice work for the characters, and it makes use of their famous Christmas song, "The Chipmunk Song (Christmas Don't Be Late)".

Synopsis

The special starts out with a doctor visiting the Waterford family whose son, Tommy, is sick. He admits that the chances of him recovering before Christmas are slim.

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 suggests that Dave can get the studio ready while he, Simon, and Theodore 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 that it's the best one in the world. At that moment, Mrs. Waterford and sister arrive, and he overhears Tommy's sister tell her mother that if he had the harmonica, it would make him feel better. Alvin feels bad about Tommy's illness, so much so that during the recording session, he can't sing in tune with the others. Dave gives them a break, so Alvin goes to Tommy's house and presents him with his (Alvin's) own harmonica, returning in time to finish the session.

Later, while they are decorating their Christmas tree, Alvin explains to Simon and Theodore what he did, and tells them that they can't tell Dave about the harmonica because he gave it to Alvin long ago, and Alvin is worried that Dave's feelings would be hurt if he learned what happened, so after Christmas, he plans to save up his money and buy himself a new one as a replacement. Unfortunately, Dave then gets a phone call from Carnegie Hall, who want Alvin to play his harmonica on Christmas Eve. Realizing that now he is going to need a new one before Christmas, Alvin devises a plan to earn enough money for it.

The Chipmunks gather up all of the dogs in the neighborhood, dress them as reindeer, and set up a photo booth, where children can have their picture taken with Santa (Alvin). Unfortunately, the presence of a cat ruins the whole thing, and draws Dave's attention. When the Chipmunks try to explain what happened, saying that Alvin wants to buy something, Dave mistakes Alvin's actions for greed, and sends him, Simon, and Theodore to their room. This leads to a dream sequence in which he meets Clyde Crashcup, who says that he invented Christmas (which is now on February 12) and Santa Claus (Abraham Lincoln in a sleigh consisting of a hollowed-out pumpkin pulled by 4 elephants). Alvin tells him that 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, two hours before the concert, Simon and Theodore give Alvin the money they have saved up for a new book, and wish him luck on buying the harmonica. When Dave asks where he went, they lie and say they don't know. Luckily, just as he is complaining, he gets a phone call from Mrs. Waterford, who tells him about Alvin's harmonica and the wonders it made for Tommy.

At the music store, Alvin 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 disappears by the end. Dave, Simon, and Theodore arrive, and Dave apologizes to Alvin and tells him they have a surprise for him. At the concert, he learns that Tommy has fully recovered, and he joins the Chipmunks on stage.

At the end, Santa flies over the city as we hear the Chipmunks singing "We Wish You a Merry Christmas". When he returns to the North Pole, he is greeted by Mrs. Claus, the same old woman who bought Alvin the harmonica.

Songs

A Chipmunk Christmas soundtrack — The cover to the original release of the soundtrack

"It's Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas"
"It's the Greatest Time of the Year"
"Jingle Bells"
"The Chipmunk Song (Christmas Don't Be Late)"
"The Spirit of Christmas"
"Silent Night"
"Sleigh Ride"
"Deck the Halls"
"We Wish You a Merry Christmas"

Soundtrack album

A soundtrack album was released by RCA Records at the time of the special's premiere. It contained all of the songs featured in the special, with the strange exception of "It's the Greatest Time of the Year". Originally released as an LP, the soundtrack album would be reissued on cassette and CD between 1992 and 2001.

Home video releases

Edits

Recent network airings of the special cut out Alvin's dream sequence with Clyde Crashcup.

Cast

Voice actor	Character
Ross Bagdasarian Jr.	Alvin Simon David Seville
Janice Karman	Theodore Tommy's sister
June Foray	Mrs. Waterford Mrs. Claus
Frank Welker	Santa Claus Doctor
Charles Berendt	Clyde Crashcup
R.J. Williams	Tommy Waterford

@@ Line 52: / Line 52: @@
 ChipmunkChristmas_DVD_2012.jpg|{{Gallery note|''Christmas with the Chipmunks'' DVD with bonus CD|Bagdasarian Productions<br>November 6, 2012}}
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+== Edits ==
+Recent network airings of the special cut out Alvin's dream sequence with Clyde Crashcup.
 == Cast ==