Thanks for visiting Vince Parrillo’s website. Here you can access information about his blogs on firsthand immigrant stories, as well as his books, films, shows, and other endeavors. If you are looking for just the right gift for someone, click a link above to read detailed descriptions about them and how to order these unique DVDS or popular historical novels.
NEW! Short Human Interest Essays on Life. Open THIS LINK.
Vince Parrillo 
Hello Mr. Parrillo, today I was able to attend the release of Paterson: A Delicious Destination at the Northeast Film Festival. It was beautifully done. My dad and my uncles were the owners of Scordato’s Restaurant, and I couldn’t be more pleased that Scordato’s was included as one of the featured restaurants from the past. It’s good to know that the Scordato restaurant legacy in Paterson is still being remembered. Thank you for producing such a magnificent documentary on Paterson’s restaurants past and present. I have often thought that there is a need for greater links to be forged between Paterson’s past and Paterson’s present, and your documentary has done exactly that. Thank you for doing so in such a beautiful (and appetizing!) way.
I’m in the process of buying your book Guardians of the Gate. In research on the web I’ve come across various interviews with what appear to be real subjects (for example where you state):
True Immigrant Tales: Traveling in Steerage
Posted on April 8, 2014 by vinceparrillo
Steerage conditions varied greatly, depending on the steamship line and the ship’s size, but all were unpleasant to say the least. Below is testimony from a government inspector, disguised as an immigrant, reporting in 1909 to the Dillingham Immigration Commission about the poor sanitary conditions on a smaller ship that carried less than 200 immigrants. Interested to learn: Are these true histories (not fictionalized). Thank you.
Thanks for writing, Mavis. All the stories are as promoted. They are true, not fictionalized, immigrant tales without any embellishment whatsoever.
Would like to speak with you about Paterson baseball history. My father sponsored a baseball team from the late 1920’s into the 1950’s. Played for his team (Uncle Sam’s) in the early 1930’s while still in high school were Larry Doby and Lou Costello. At that time the team played at Hinchcliff Stadium. Larry was seen playing and was recruited to the Negro League. Lou would announce the games and started “Who’s On First” as part of his announcing the games. Please send your contact information to my email address: taxlaw1@aol.com.
Walter LeVine
Loved the film today, Vince, I look forward to another year of eating in Silk City. I mentioned my role in getting a marker for the Silk Strike. If you ever want to do a film on labor history, maybe we can be a resource for you at the NY Labor History Association, where I am Newsletter and Book Review Editor. And I’m sure you know the lovely ladies of the Botto House, Angelica and Evelyn, custodians of labor history for Paterson and beyond. My association’s website is newyorklaborhistory.org.
Out of the ether of the internet I came across your name today when looking up notable people from Paterson. My name is Jerry Calabrese, and I was a classmate of John and Terry at St. Paul’s grade school. I also believe you were, at least briefly, a leader with our scout troop. You’ve certainly traveled far and I was truly impressed at how you used Paterson as the foundation of so many interesting projects, congratulations. My own life and career were also deeply influenced by our shared urban upbringing, though not so directly as yours. In my retirement I’ve been working for an English language, Italian university in Florence, called Istituto Lorenzo de Medici, as head of their communications department. My own career included time as a newspaper journalist, working for Playboy Enterprises, stints at Marvel Comics, NASCAR and then as head of the old Lionel Model Train company, before getting involved with teaching. Mostly as a “Passatempo” I’ve been researching a story about Paterson, during the time when my dad was a beer distributor, in the late 1950’s and ’60’s, and I spent a lot of time there. I spend about half the year in Italy, and the rest in Sharon, CT, though I’m in and around New York City a lot, when in the US. I’d love to talk with you about your work, and Paterson. I’m here until October. best, Jerry Calabrese