A Cheery ‘50s, ‘60s Optimism : Forty-one tunes from George Lucas’ admired movie ‘American Graffiti’ remains one of the most appealing collections of early rock ‘n’ roll.

The soundtrack to “American Graffiti,” George Lucas’ widely admired 1973 film about the loss of youthful innocence, has finally been released in CD, and the collection stands as one of the most engaging samples of early rock ‘n’ roll.

The 41 tracks in the two-disc set aren’t necessarily the 41 best or hippest records from the late ‘50s and early ‘60s, but the records offer a good sense of the generally cheery, optimistic music that dominated AM radio at the time.

Included in the album are singles by more than a half-dozen Rock and Roll Hall of Fame artists--including Chuck Berry, Fats Domino and Buddy Holly--as well as mini-classics by everyone from the Crests (the dreamy “16 Candles”) to Bobby Freeman (the lively “Do You Wanna Dance”).

Though the album stands on its own, the package is all the more impressive when you realize the various songs were chosen to fill specific dramatic requirements of the film, which explains why deejay legend Wolfman Jack’s voice is featured in places.

“Both the music and Wolfman are central to this episodic story of the last night of summer 1962,” writes Jeff Walker in the original liner notes for the album.

“They punctuate and eventually bind all the divergent elements that develop in the course of the film. Wolfman has an almost mystical hold on the kids in this town. . . . He has a comment or a song for everything and each is heard, unaccountably, at exactly the right moment.”

It’s a shame that the film included remakes (by Flash Cadillac & the Continental Kids) rather than the original versions of ‘50s hits “At the Hop” and “She’s So Fine,” and unfortunate that the dominant musical voice of the era (Elvis Presley) isn’t on the album.

Yet “American Graffiti” does include some essential selections. Among them:

* Bill Haley’s “Rock Around the Clock.” Thanks to its use over the credits in the explosive 1955 film “Blackboard Jungle,” this dance-happy recording assumed a rebellious edge that helped it become the first genuine rock ‘n’ roll record ever to top the U.S. pop charts.

* Frankie Lymon’s “Why Do Fools Fall in Love.” Lymon, who was only 13 when this single went into the national Top 10 in early 1956, was a tragic figure in rock. He died of a drug overdose in 1968. Diana Ross had a Top 10 hit with the song in 1981.

* Fats Domino’s “Ain’t That a Shame.” Chuck Berry and Little Richard are better known to today’s young rock audience, but this New Orleans singer-pianist had more Top 10 hits than both of them combined (11 to 9). This 1955 hit was one of his gems.

Among the album’s other highlights: Del Shannon’s “Runaway,” Chuck Berry’s “Johnny B. Goode,” Buddy Holly’s “That’ll Be the Day,” the Silhouettes’ “Get a Job,” the Platters’ “Only You” and the Beach Boys’ “Surfin’ Safari.”