Book Review: AAAAALLLVIIINNN!
Sub-titled “The Story of Ross Bagdasarian Sr., Liberty Records, Format Films, and The Alvin Show,” this combination biography and career study is filled with fascinating information.
Bagdasarian was multi-talented, his skill and creativity permeating films, TV, records, and animation. Author Mark Arnold’s book examines Bagdasarian’s life and his vision, resulting in the iconic Chipmunks that offered hit records, a TV cartoon show, and a lasting legacy.
Having co-written, with playwright William Saroyan, the Rosemary Clooney hit “Come-on-a-my-House,” Bagdasarian wasn’t achieving any continued success until he sunk his savings into recording equipment that allowed him to experiment with sound. Using speed levels to create the distinctive Chipmunk sound, Bagdasarian, under his pseudonym David Seville, garnered hits with the novelty toons “Witch Doctor” and “The Chipmunk Song.” This led to a prime-time cartoon series that included chipmunks Alvin (the recalcitrant one), Theodore (the giggler), and Simon (the bookish leader) as well as an animated David Seville. Comic situations and musical numbers abounded, the Chipmunks becoming so popular that they even did a Beatles album parody with the blessing of the Fab Four themselves. The cartoon series extended to the artistically creative Clyde Crashcup shorts as well.
Arnold’s book is more than a discussion of a man’s life, it allows us a peek into the pop culture industries that Bagdasarian conquered, showing how things were done that long ago, before modern technology might have made some things much easier. Along with nearly 400 pages of interesting information, Arnold’s book also contains photos and graphics, including a lot of original artwork that shows the development of the characters. Discussing the earlier part of Bagdasarian’s career, we get a glimpse at the filming of “Rear Window” for Hitchcock, in which Ross appeared.
“AAAAALLLVIIINNN!” is a book that really fills a need in its thoroughgoing look at a talented man’s life and career, offering a great deal of background about songs, cartoons, and movies. It is highly recommended at several levels, and needs to find a place in any library, research center, or for fans of these classic characters.