A Chipmunk Christmas (1981)

The modern Chipmunk films are shit. They are really, really shit and completely ruined The Chipmunks. Horrible looking CGI chipmunks, who were just actual chipmunks instead of chipmunks with human features, sent shivers of sheer horror down my spine. I don't think I've ever used the word chipmunks in one paragraph so much. Chipmunks.

The cartoon series of The Chipmunks however were better. Yeah sure they're for kids so they probably weren't that great but at least they only lasted around 20 minutes so you didn't have to listen to high pitched voices for that long. When I was little I watched the Alvin and the Chipmunks series that ran from 1983-1990 on reruns and on VHS. The intro was so damn amazing too and upon watching it (many times) as I write this I remember how catchy and awesome it was.

Before this series though there was a Christmas special called A Chipmunk Christmas which was released in 1981. This Christmas special is one of the biggest flashbacks to my childhood. Watching it now brings so many feelings and memories flooding back. The feels.

Alvin learns of a boy called Tommy who is terminally sick. I know, how dark is that for a kids cartoon? Tommy's last wish is to have his own harmonica, so Alvin selflessly gives Tommy his own one. However, the Chipmunks have just been hired to play Carnegie Hall on Christmas Eve and Alvin is expected to deliver a harmonica solo. As the harmonica was a gift from Dave, Alvin feels that he cannot tell him what's happened, so Simon and Theodore help him make money so he can buy another one. Dave discovers that they are trying to make money to buy Alvin a gift for himself and assumes they don't know the spirit of Christmas.

Alvin has a nightmare, which is a pretty bad scene to be honest, and Dave hears him shouting "I need money" in his sleep and once again thinks Alvin is being selfish.

In the end though an old woman buys the harmonica for Alvin and he plays Carnegie Hall in front of Tommy, and giving him the harmonica has saved his life. So the gift of giving is a big message here.

At just about 20 minutes long this Christmas special seems a bit short but it is a pretty sweet story and it manages to get the message across without being too preachy. The animation is pretty traditional and although being done in the 80's, it looks a lot older which I absolutely love. I think the main hook though is the music. 'Christmas Don't be Late' and 'Wonderful Day' are performed and every time I hear these I get a nostalgic tingle down my spine.




I downloaded this special for my nieces and nephews a few years ago because I wanted them to be able to watch this too. And to remind them that kids TV now is shit and they missed out on some great things. Damn kids.