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.
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Vince Parrillo 
Hi, Claire. I’ll send you an email with the details on getting a DVD copy of “Paterson and Its People.”
Will do, Susan. Hope all is well.
Thanks, Rob. I will email details to you about getting a DVD.
Email coming your way with the details for getting the DVD.
Hi, Irene. Thanks for writing. NJTV has no immediate plans to air the film again, but does have a licensing permit to do so through September 2017, so it may well air again. Meanwhile, the gift shops at the Paterson Falls NHP and Lambert Castle do have copies for sale, with all net proceeds going to them. You’d be surprised at the look of your old neighborhood. The CC Project was torn down, lots of new homes built by Habitat for Humanity are in that area now, along with a new fire station and community center. I was in School 4 two years ago (still used) when I was filming my Federici documentary to record his Mother Goose sculpture there, and in adjacent School 28 just two months ago to speak at an assembly program for the gifted and talented academy students. Saw all their hallway posters for Founder’s Day in Paterson, which were very impressive.
Dear Dr Parillo,
Thank you for your response. I attended school 4 from 1947 to 1953, and Sunday School in the little white church on North first street, German Methodist which later changed its name to Christ Methodist.
I lived all over the city. My husband and I started our married life in a one-room apartment in one of those big original mansions which stood on the corner of Ellison and Carol Street across from the YWCA. Our little place was the original dining room. The architecture was amazing. Our tiny kitchen area was originally the butler’s pantry.
I look forward to getting a copy of your film. Always enjoyed your classes.
Sincerely,
Irene Avato
That’s strange, Russell. The Great Falls gift shop has twice restocked on this documentary. Perhaps it was a new person or they are out of stock again. I’ll look into it. Thanks for bringing this matter to my attention. Let me know if you are successful in getting the DVD and what you think of it.
Hello, Sandy. I’ll send you an email about this.
Thanks, Maria. I am sending you a detailed reply by email.
VNP
Hello, Richard. Thanks for writing. My essay, “Sociology and Aesthetics,” is the Foreword in the book, Sociology, Aesthetics, & the City. edited by Vincenzo Mele (Pisa: University of Pisa Press, 2011). If you have difficulty securing a copy, you should contact Prof. Mele.
Thanks, Carol. I will send you the information by email.
Thanks for writing, Andrea. Yes, the media can easily perpetuate stereotypes. I’ll reply directly to your email about a DVD.
Hi, Catherine. The film, “Silk City Artists and Musicians,” is in post-production and will not be released until mid-2017. I will let you know about its premiere. ~Vince
Wonderful! Thank you!
Rosie, did you ever get your copy? I informed the folks at Lambert Castle about you and they promised to get in touch. Please let me know if it all worked out. Thanks. ~Vince
Sorry, but I am unable to provide any information.
Hello Irene Avato, I read your post about you living on Lane St. in Paterson between 1947-1953. The little white church that you referred to was Christ Temple Baptist Church if I’m not mistaken. The Pastor at that time was Rev Freddie Robertson. I in fact attended Sunday School and church services with my whole family in 1953 and beyond.
Ron Foster
Hi Ronald,
Nice to hear from you. I believe the larger brick building on the corner of Clinton and North 1st Streets was a Baptist Church. I remember hearing the music as we passed by. At that time we went to Sunday School, and Bible school in the summer.
When I came back to Paterson in 1956 (still lived on Lane Street) we still attended the same church.
Irene
Hello Irene, the church you’re referring to must be Gilmore Tabernacle opposite school #4.
Christ Temple Baptist was on Water St. not far from West Broadway. My father Harold Foster lived at 95 Lane St.
Hi Ronald,
We lived at 81 Lane Street.
Did your parents live there before you?
Hi Ronald,
WE moved there when I was 4, and lived there until they tore the buildings down around 1957. I left in ’53 to live with an aunt and uncle; returned to my family in ’56. I am the oldest of four.
Are you on facebook? You might enjoy the “Paterson groups.” I am a member of 2 groups.
Irene
Do you know the Grifone family? Martin Grifone went to Central High with me. His family lived in that same area near school #4
Hi Ronald,
I believe I went to school 4 with Martin Grifone; the name is very familiar. When I got back to Paterson, in ’56 I went to Central for a while – never graduated. Went back to school as an adult.
And, by the way, my little white church was on
north 1st Street.
Irene
Hi Ronald,
Just found you on facebook.
Irene
Thanks for writing, Mary. My grandfather started that paper and my father continued it until around 1940. Eventually, my dad discontinued publishing that newspaper to concentrate on another, The Sunday Chronicle. Discontinued during World War II, it went through a metamorphosis into a weekly magazine that thrived in the 1950s and 1960s until my dad retired. I agree that the articles and ads are a fascinating look into this area’s past. At http://www.njdigitalhighway.org, you can see many past issues of both publications.
Don’t know why I’m only seeing this now, Russell. Don’t know if you’re still interested, but the DVD is available at the gifts shops at the Paterson Falls and Lambert Castle. Or, if you write to me (vinceparrillo@yahoo.com), I’ll explain how to get it by mail through me.
No, Cathy, I have retired and am now Professor Emeritus. Thanks for asking.
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