The Chipmunk Adventure | |
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Directed by | Janice Karman |
Written by |
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Based on | |
Produced by | Ross Bagdasarian |
Starring |
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Edited by | Tony Mizgalski |
Music by | Randy Edelman |
Production company | |
Distributed by | The Samuel Goldwyn Company |
Release date |
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Running time | 78 minutes |
Country | United States |
Language | English |
Box office | $6.8 million [1] |
The Chipmunk Adventure is a 1987 American animated musical-adventure comedy film based on the Saturday-morning cartoon series Alvin and the Chipmunks and the Alvin and the Chipmunks virtual band and media franchise created by Ross Bagdasarian Sr.. [2] The film was directed by Janice Karman and written by Karman and Ross Bagdasarian Jr.. The plot follows the Chipmunks and the Chipettes as they go on a hot air balloon race around the world while their guardian David is out on a trip, not knowing that it is a cover for a diamond smuggling ring. The chipmunks travel through a series of adventures in different countries while being hunted down by the diamond smugglers, Claudia and Klaus Furschtein.
After the success of the Alvin and the Chipmunks television series on NBC, several companies had been interested in financing an Alvin and the Chipmunks film. Bagdasarian Jr. and Karman decided to finance the movie themselves. Animators from The Black Cauldron (1985) worked on the film after its box-office flop caused many animators to get laid off from Walt Disney Pictures. The animation was provided overseas to several regions such as Utah and Canada. Randy Edelman composed the music after he was visited by Bagdasarian Jr. in London. Production of the film lasted for a year to be completed. [3]
The Chipmunk Adventure was released on May 22, 1987, and grossed $6.8 million at the box office, making it a moderate box-office success. The film initially received mixed reviews from critics. Most critics praised the animation, visuals, and soundtrack, but the plot and voices of the Chipmunks and Chipettes were polarizing. The film's reliance on racial stereotyping was also criticized. Retrospective reviews of the film became more positive. It was the Chipmunks' first theatrical film; the franchise's second film, Alvin and the Chipmunks , was released on December 14, 2007.
When Dave Seville goes to Europe on a business trip, the Chipmunks—Alvin, Simon, and Theodore—are left home in Los Angeles with their babysitter, Miss Miller. Later, the Chipmunks and Chipettes—Brittany, Jeanette, and Eleanor—play an arcade game Around the World in 30 Days, and Alvin and Brittany argue over which would win an actual race around the world after Brittany wins the game. They are overheard by international diamond-smuggling siblings Klaus and Claudia Furschtein, who have $5 million worth of diamonds to distribute to buyers but no couriers who are unknown to their nemesis, Jamal. Claudia tricks the children into being unwitting mules, offering to arrange a real race around the world between the Chipmunks and Chipettes for a $100,000 prize. To participate, Alvin records a phone call to Dave and edits it to trick Ms. Miller into believing that Dave wants the Chipmunks to meet him in Europe.
The two teams set off by hot air balloon, each given a different route and twelve dolls made in their likenesses, which they are to exchange at designated locations for dolls in the likenesses of the other team to confirm they visited the locations. Unbeknownst to them, their dolls are filled with diamonds, and those they are receiving contain cash. The Furschteins' butler, Mario, is secretly an informant for Jamal, who dispatches two of his men to acquire the dolls. The Chipmunks' first stop is Mexico City, where they join in a fiesta. In Bermuda, the Chipettes scuba dive to make their first exchange in the sunken ship and Brittany is almost eaten by a great white shark. The teams continue their journeys, exchanging their dolls in various countries along the way. Jamal's men tail them, but fail to get the dolls due to various mishaps. The teams cross paths in Athens, where they try to outperform one another in a musical number at the Acropolis and are almost spotted by Dave.
Frustrated by his men's failures, Jamal enlists the aid of a young sheikh who has his mercenaries capture the Chipettes in Giza. Rather than turn them over to Jamal, the prince desires instead to keep the girls and marry Brittany, and gifts her a baby penguin. The girls perform a song to charm the cobras guarding their dolls, escape in their balloon, and detour to Antarctica to return the baby penguin to its family. Learning that they have deviated from their route, Claudia sends her thugs after them. The girls escape, but discover the diamonds and cash inside the dolls, realize they have been deceived and set out to find the boys.
Meanwhile, the Chipmunks take a shortcut through a jungle, where they are captured by a native tribe who name Theodore their "Prince of Plenty" and force Alvin and Simon to be his slaves. They soon learn that Theodore and soon them are to be sacrificed by being dropped into a pit of crocodiles on a full moon. By performing the song "Wooly Bully" to entertain the natives, they stall their execution and are rescued by the Chipettes.
Claudia discovers Mario passing information to Jamal, who is revealed to be an Interpol Inspector. The children land at Los Angeles International Airport at the same time as Dave's returning flight, and are chased by the Furschteins, who get them to surrender by lying that they have kidnapped Ms. Miller. Dave sees them being taken away in the Furschteins' car, and joins Jamal in pursuit. Ms. Miller is absentmindedly driving the wrong way on a one-way street on her way to pick up Dave, and accidentally runs the Furschteins off the road. They are arrested by Jamal, and the children are reunited with Dave. Alvin and Brittany argue over who won the race, much to the adults' frustration.
After the success of the animated cartoon series on NBC, several studios were interested in financing the movie based on Alvin and the Chipmunks. [4] The idea originated while Ross Bagdasarian, Jr. and Janice Karman built successful doghouses. [4] Although Janice disliked the idea of creating and financing the movie themselves, they shortly found the film's director. [4] The unknown director created story sketches that set the tone of the film. [4] Two months after production started, the unknown director was replaced by Karman, who was pregnant with her first child at the time. [4] [5] [6] Karman was initially reluctant about being a director of the film. [5]
The box-office failure of Disney's The Black Cauldron in 1985 had led to the layoff of a number of Walt Disney Productions animators (such as Glen Keane, Dan Haskett and Dave Pruiksma), whom Bagdasarian promptly hired to work on the film. [4]
After returning the first part of the film to the overseas animation productions, Bagdasarian, Jr. and Karman only received six seconds of animation several months later and five minutes of animation a year later. [4] It was due to the animators suffering from "sore hands." [4] As a result, they hired another 150 animators to finish the film. [4] Within nine months before the film's release, they sent animation to Canada, New York, Utah, Spain, and South Korea. [4] Several parts that were difficult to animate or not close enough to be completed were cut from the script. [4] Locations cut in the film include a zoo and Russia. [5]
The Chipmunk Adventure: Original Motion Picture Soundtrack | ||||
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Soundtrack album by | ||||
Released | 1987 | |||
Genre | ||||
Label | Buena Vista Records | |||
Producer | Ross Bagdasarian, Jr. Janice Karman | |||
The Chipmunks and the Chipettes chronology | ||||
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Before the film's release, Bagdasarian, Jr. visited London to hire composer Randy Edelman and the London Philharmonic Orchestra to score the film. [4] The soundtrack of The Chipmunk Adventure was performed by the Chipmunks and the Chipettes and includes a mix of original tunes and covers. Several songs throughout the film were performed by both the Chipmunks and the Chipettes. The soundtrack was originally done as a promotional tie-in to the film. [3] The soundtrack was originally released by Buena Vista Records. [10] On March 17, 1998, the soundtrack was released on CD by MCA Records. [11] [12] The CD was a bonus included on the VHS re-release of the film by Universal Studios Home Video. [12] On April 1, 2008, the soundtrack was re-released on CD as a bonus of the film's special edition DVD re-release. [13]
No. | Title | Writer(s) | Performer(s) | Length |
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1. | "Chipmunk Adventure Theme" | Randy Edelman | London Philharmonic Orchestra | |
2. | "I, Yi, Yi, Yi, Yi/Cuanto le Gusta" | The Chipmunks | ||
3. | "Off to See the World" | Randy Edelman | The Chipmunks & The Chipettes | |
4. | "Weekend in France, Italy, England, Amsterdam, Greece..." |
| The Chipmunks | |
5. | "My Mother" | Randy Goodrum | The Chipettes | |
6. | "Wooly Bully" | Domingo Samudio | The Chipmunks |
No. | Title | Writer(s) | Performer(s) | Length |
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1. | "The Girls of Rock 'n' Roll" |
| The Chipmunks & The Chipettes | |
2. | "Flying with the Eagles" | Edelman | The Chipmunks & The Chipettes | |
3. | "Getting Lucky" | Barry DeVorzon | The Chipettes | |
4. | "Mexican Holiday" |
| The Chipmunks | |
5. | "Diamond Dolls" |
| The Chipettes |
On February 28, 1986, the film was announced to be scheduled for a 1986 release. [14] The film was shown one year before its release, at the 1986 Cannes Film Festival. [15] The film was originally scheduled to be released in December 1986, but the film was still in-production at the time. [15] [16] The Chipmunk Adventure opened on May 22, 1987, through The Samuel Goldwyn Company and Bagdasarian Productions. [10] [17]
According to Anne Thompson of Special to the Register, it was initially predicted to outperform The Care Bears Movie , which was the most successful release distributed by The Samuel Goldwyn Company at the time. [3] However, The Samuel Goldwyn Company spent $15 million to promote and market the film, [3] compared to $24 million for The Care Bears Movie. [18] [a] Promotional tie-ins include Burger King, French's, and the film's soundtrack. [3] The Goldwyn staff decided that it would appeal to both younger and older audiences, including the audience for The Care Bears Movie. [3] The Chipmunk Adventure opened at No. 6 at the North American box office on its first weekend, grossing at $2,584,720 from 916 venues. [1] [19] The film grossed $6,804,312 in North America alone. [1]
The film was first officially released on VHS on November 18, 1987, by Lorimar Home Video, pricing at $79.95. [8] [20] [21] It first appeared on Billboard 's Top Kid Video Sales chart on the week of December 19, 1998, although it debuted at No. 25 a week earlier. [22] As of February 9, 1991, the film's original home video release was already re-released by Warner Home Video, reducing to the price of $19.98. [23] The film got a new re-release on March 17, 1998, by Universal Studios Home Video for the 40th anniversary of Alvin and the Chipmunks, pricing at $19.98. [11] [24] [25] It included a free coloring book activity, CD-ROM, and the CD of the soundtrack by MCA Records. [11] [12] It debuted at No. 30 on Billboard's Top Video Sales chart on the week of April 11, 1998. [26] A week later, the re-release debuted at No. 14 on Billboard's Top Kid Video chart. [27] The re-release entered the top 10 on Billboard's Top Kid Video chart on the week of May 2, 1998. [28]
On May 23, 2006, the film was released on DVD by Paramount Home Entertainment, pricing at $14.99. [29] [30] Bonus features include original artwork and story panels. [30] A special edition DVD re-release of the film with a bonus CD (which is the same soundtrack disc) was released on April 1, 2008, which matches that of the live-action/animated Alvin and the Chipmunks and another DVD volume of Alvin and the Chipmunks Go to the Movies . [13] On March 25, 2014, the film was released on Blu-ray for the first time. [31]
Upon the film's initial theatrical and home video releases, it received mixed reviews. Rick Bentley of The Town Talk was enthused about the film, praising the animation as "first-rate", the story as "interesting", and soundtrack as "near-perfect". He concluded that the film is "entertaining for [the] young and old" and an "early [summer] treat [for this year]." [32] Janet Maslin of The New York Times commentated that the film is enjoyable for both parents and children. [33] In his Family Guide to Movies on Video, Henry Herx deemed the film a "charming, lighthearted diversion for the younger set", and remarked that it resembled "a musical revue of pop tunes". [7] Hal Hinson of The Washington Post called the film "a must-see, a romp, a delight and oh so chock-full-o'-fun." [34] Johanna Steinmetz of Chicago Tribune gave the film three stars out of four, stating that the inclusion of the minor characters (especially the villains) would "[keep] an adult viewer from insulin crisis." [35] Jack Garner of Gannett News Service also gave the film three stars out of four, describing the film as "colorful, tuneful, and features inventive gags and robust villains." [36] In the Fort Worth Star-Telegram issue from November 13, 1987, a review on Major Releases rated the film a scale of 6 out of 10, commenting that the film blends "humor, adventure, and pop-oriented music to solid effect" and "benefits immeasurably from the vocal talents of Susan Tyrrell as [Claudia]." [8]
Richard Freeman of Newhouse News compared the film to An American Tail as "less gloomily pretentious" and the Care Bears and Rainbow Brite cartoons as "less sickly-sweet". He described the animation as "not on a par with Disney[...] but better than Saturday morning TV" and praised the score and soundtrack of the film. [37] Lou Cedrone of the Baltimore Evening Sun praised the soundtrack, score, and voices, but stated that the animation "looks like [a] Saturday morning variety." [38] George Williams of Special to the Register called the film "a hopelessly corny movie". He was questionable about the Chipettes' voices and their human form, but praised the soundtrack and its Dolby Stereo sound quality. [39] Film critic Paul McKie praised the "superior" animation and the "delightful pair of villains", but criticized the Chipettes for not having personalities. [40] A review on Madison Capital Times ' Books & Video recalled the film as "one of the rare cartoon features that is hip enough for adults", but warned that some songs can be "too cutesy" for an older audience. [41] Scott Cain of Cox News Service commented that the "[fans] will have difficulty [with the Chipmunks' shrill voices]", though he called the film an "unfailingly cheerful enterprise". [42] Glenda Cohn Wolin of Knight-Ridder News Service described the film as "mildly entertain[ing]". She praised the backgrounds of cities and landmarks as "attractively realistic" and stated that they offer a "bit of education", but criticized the stereotypes as a "bit uncomfortable". [43]
Film critic Chris Chase gave the film 2+1⁄2 out of 4 stars, stating that "kiddies [and Saturday-morning audiences] should love [the film]." [44] Film critic Rochelle Flynn gave the film two stars, describing the film as a "cute enough cartoon, but nothing to go out of [the] way for [the film]." [45] Charles Solomon of The Los Angeles Times commented "listening to six little characters talk and sing in speeded-up falsetto voices for 76 minutes becomes a real test of the viewer's endurance." Solomon also said that the villains resembled those from a Ralph Bakshi film and did not fit with the world of the Chipmunks. [46] David Bianculli of Special to the Inquirer also gave the film two stars, critiquing that "without [very much of Dave Seville, the film isn't as] funny." [47] Greg Burliuk of The Kingston Whig-Standard reviewed that the film is "[more] on action than laughs". He questioned about the Chipettes and their human form, criticized the animation for losing most of the "romantic glamor" of the pyramids and cities, described the songs as "very mediocre", and praised the "Wooly Bully" sequence as "one magic moment". [9] Roger Ebert commented that the animation is slightly better than the TV series, but criticized the film's "dumb and predictable" story, while Gene Siskel criticized the plot for being right out of a Saturday morning cartoon, especially through the film's introduction of the Chipettes. [48] Both Ebert and Siskel also criticized the plot and the Chipmunks' voices, with Ebert comparing them to "fingernails on the blackboard". [48] Siskel and Ebert ultimately gave the film two thumbs down. [48]
The film reception was more positive throughout the years. On review aggregation website Rotten Tomatoes, the film has an approval rating of 75% based on 8 reviews, with an average rating of 6.6/10. [49] Randy Myers of Knight Ridder rated the film 3+1⁄2 out of 4 stars, calling the film an "absolutely delightful continuation of the [franchise]". He praised the "spunky, tuneful, and funny" musical numbers, especially the Chipmunks' cover of "Wooly Bully". [24] Eric Henderson of Slant Magazine gave the film three stars out of four. [50] Nancy Davis Kho of Common Sense Media gave the film three stars out of five, calling the film a "mildly entertaining adventure set against a backdrop of international wonders", but warned that there are negative stereotypes of Arab thugs and some African cannibals. She recommended the film for ages 5 and older. [51]
Alvin and the Chipmunks, originally David Seville and the Chipmunks and billed for their first two decades as the Chipmunks, are an American animated virtual band and media franchise first created by Ross Bagdasarian for Novelty records in 1958. The group consists of three singing animated anthropomorphic chipmunks named Alvin, Simon, and Theodore. The characters have since featured in several television series and films, as well as other media.
The Chipettes are a fictional girl group from the Alvin and the Chipmunks franchise consisting of three female anthropomorphic chipmunk singers: Brittany, Jeanette, and Eleanor, alongside their adoptive human mother, Beatrice Miller. They first appeared in the animated television series Alvin and the Chipmunks in 1983. In this and related materials, the Chipettes served as female featured characters in their own right, starring in numerous episodes. The title of the show was changed from Alvin and the Chipmunks to simply The Chipmunks in 1988 to reflect this. In the animated television series and the 1987 animated film The Chipmunk Adventure, all of the Chipettes were voiced by their creator, Janice Karman, the wife of Ross Bagdasarian Jr.. Karman also wrote and voiced the Chipettes' dialogue on their studio albums, while studio singers Susan Boyd, Shelby Daniel and Katherine Coon provided their singing voices. In the animated television series Alvinnn!!! and the Chipmunks, Eleanor is voiced by Vanessa Bagdasarian, the daughter of Ross Bagdasarian Jr. and Janice Karman.
The Alvin Show is an American animated television series that aired on CBS in the early 1960s. This was the first series to feature the singing characters Alvin and the Chipmunks. The Alvin Show aired for one season, from October 4, 1961, to September 12, 1962 and was originally sponsored by General Foods through its Jell-O gelatin and Post Cereal brands. Although the series was created in color, it was initially telecast in black and white. It was later rebroadcast in color from 1962-65 for Saturday mornings on CBS and again Saturday mornings on NBC in 1979.
Ross Dickran Bagdasarian is an American actor, singer, animator, record producer, film producer, songwriter and screenwriter, known for his work on the Alvin and the Chipmunks franchise. He is the son of the franchise's creator, Ross Bagdasarian.
Janice Karman Bagdasarian is an American filmmaker, designer, actress, singer, producer, director and screenwriter. She is the co-owner of Bagdasarian Productions with her husband Ross Bagdasarian Jr.
Alvin and the Chipmunks is an American animated television series featuring the Chipmunks, which was produced by Bagdasarian Productions in association with Ruby-Spears Enterprises from 1983 to 1987, Murakami-Wolf-Swenson in 1988 and DIC Enterprises from 1988 to 1990.
A Chipmunk Christmas is a 1981 animated Christmas television special based on characters from Alvin and the Chipmunks. Produced by Bagdasarian Productions in association with Chuck Jones Enterprises, it first aired on NBC December 14, 1981, nine years after the death of Alvin and the Chipmunks creator Ross Bagdasarian Sr.. 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.
Alvin and the Chipmunks Meet Frankenstein is a 1999 American animated dark comedy horror film produced by Bagdasarian Productions, LLC. and Universal Cartoon Studios and distributed by Universal Studios Home Video. It is directed by Kathi Castillo, written by John Loy and based on characters from Alvin and the Chipmunks and Mary Shelley's 1818 novel Frankenstein; or, The Modern Prometheus. This is the first of two Alvin and the Chipmunks direct-to-video films, and the first of three Universal Cartoon Studios productions to be animated overseas by Tama Production in Tokyo, Japan. This is the only animated Alvin and the Chipmunks film where the Chipettes do not appear.
Alvin and the Chipmunks Meet the Wolfman is a 2000 American animated comedy horror musical film produced by Bagdasarian Productions and Universal Cartoon Studios and based on characters from Alvin and the Chipmunks. It is the second Alvin and the Chipmunks direct-to-video film following Alvin and the Chipmunks Meet Frankenstein, and the third of three Universal Cartoon Studios productions to be animated overseas by Tama Productions in Tokyo, Japan. The film introduces the voices of Maurice LaMarche and Miriam Flynn.
"Witch Doctor" is a 1958 American 1958 novelty song written and recorded by Ross Bagdasarian. Bagdasarian sang the song, varying the tape speeds to produce high-pitched voices. The technique developed for the voice of the witch doctor was later used for the creation of the voices of Bagdasarian's virtual band Alvin and the Chipmunks. It became a number one hit and rescued Liberty Records from near-bankruptcy.
"The Chipmunk Song (Christmas Don't Be Late)" is a 1958 novelty Christmas song written and recorded by Ross Bagdasarian (under the stage name of David Seville). Bagdasarian sang the song, varying the tape speeds to produce high-pitched "chipmunk" voices, with the vocals credited to Alvin and the Chipmunks, Seville's cartoon virtual band and later media franchise. The song was nominated for Record of the Year in the 1st Annual Grammy Awards, where it also won three Awards.
Alvin and the Chipmunks is a 2007 American jukebox musical comedy film directed by Tim Hill from a screenplay by Jon Vitti and the writing team of Will McRobb and Chris Viscardi. It is the first installment in the live-action film series of Alvin and the Chipmunks. The plot follows chipmunks Alvin, Simon, and Theodore, who move in with struggling songwriter Dave Seville after losing their home. When Dave discovers their rare singing talent, he introduces them to JETT Records executive Ian Hawke, whose plans threaten the chipmunks' newfound family dynamic. The cast includes Jason Lee, David Cross, and Cameron Richardson, with voices by Justin Long, Matthew Gray Gubler and Jesse McCartney.
Rockin' Through the Decades is a live-action/animated TV special based on characters from Alvin and the Chipmunks. It was directed by Steve Karman, produced by Bagdasarian Productions, and premiered on NBC on December 9, 1990.
Alvin and the Chipmunks: The Squeakquel is a 2009 American live-action/animated jukebox musical comedy film directed by Betty Thomas and written by Jon Vitti and the writing team of Jonathan Aibel and Glenn Berger. It is based on Alvin and the Chipmunks and The Chipettes. It is the second installment in the live-action Alvin and the Chipmunks film series and the sequel to Alvin and the Chipmunks (2007). The film stars Zachary Levi, David Cross and Jason Lee, with voices by Justin Long, Matthew Gray Gubler and Jesse McCartney. Christina Applegate, Anna Faris and Amy Poehler voice the new characters. The film sees the Chipmunks entering high school under the care of Dave Seville's cousin, Toby. Meanwhile, Ian Hawke recruits the Chipettes to restore his career.
A Chipmunk Reunion is a 1985 animated special produced by Bagdasarian Productions, in association with Ruby-Spears Enterprises, and is spun off of NBC's popular animated series, Alvin & the Chipmunks, starring the Chipmunks and the Chipettes.
The fictional animated singing group Alvin and the Chipmunks created by Ross Bagdasarian have appeared in eight feature-length films since their debut.
Alvin and the Chipmunks: Chipwrecked is a 2011 American live-action/animated jukebox musical adventure comedy film directed by Mike Mitchell and written by the writing team of Jonathan Aibel and Glenn Berger, based on the characters Alvin and the Chipmunks created by Ross Bagdasarian Sr. and the Chipettes created by Janice Karman. It is the third installment in the live-action Alvin and the Chipmunks film series following the first from 2007, and the second from 2009. The film stars Jason Lee, David Cross and Jenny Slate. Justin Long, Matthew Gray Gubler, Jesse McCartney, Amy Poehler, Anna Faris and Christina Applegate return to voice the Chipmunks and the Chipettes, respectively. In the film, playing around while aboard a cruise ship, the Chipmunks and the Chipettes go overboard and end up marooned in a tropical island, where they discover their new turf is not as deserted as it seems.
Alvinnn!!! and the Chipmunks is a French-American animated musical comedy television series created by Janice Karman. Produced by Bagdasarian Productions and Technicolor Animation Productions with the participation of M6, it features Alvin and the Chipmunks and the Chipettes and marks their first television appearance together since 1990. First announced by Bagdasarian Productions in 2010, a promotional trailer for the series was posted on YouTube.
Alvin and the Chipmunks: The Road Chip is a 2015 American live-action/animated jukebox musical comedy film directed by Walt Becker and written by Randi Mayem Singer and Adam Sztykiel. It is based on the characters Alvin and the Chipmunks created by Ross Bagdasarian Sr. and the Chipettes created by Janice Karman. It is the fourth and final installment in the live-action Alvin and the Chipmunks film series and the sequel to Alvin and the Chipmunks: Chipwrecked (2011). The ensemble cast includes Jason Lee, Tony Hale, Kimberly Williams-Paisley and Josh Green. Justin Long, Matthew Gray Gubler and Jesse McCartney all reprise their roles as the Chipmunks, while Kaley Cuoco, Anna Faris and Christina Applegate voices the Chipettes. Cuoco replaced Amy Poehler as the voice of Eleanor in the film. The plot centers on the Chipmunks as they head to Miami after believing that Dave Seville will propose to his girlfriend Samantha, who has a son who bullies the Chipmunks.
Bagdasarian Productions is an American production company founded by Ross Bagdasarian Sr. on February 20, 1961. The company holds the rights to Alvin and the Chipmunks and related intellectual property assets. The company is currently owned and operated in by Ross Bagdasarian Jr. and Janice Karman. The company has co-produced many television series, specials, and films and initiated multiple lawsuits to protect the characters.
The largest publicity budget was the $24 million spent by the Samuel Goldwyn Co. on the launch of The Care Bears Movie (US 85).
There are no episodes of The Alvin Show on home video, but you can see the characters in the theatrical film The Chipmunk Adventure (Warner, $19.98).
The Chipmunk Adventure, a 1987 feature film, is due on DVD this Tuesday.