This PBS documentary explores the city’s changing demographics from its pre-European history as the locale of the Lenape to its present-day diversity. In spanning the centuries, this program features the diversity of ethnic and racial groups that have populated the city. It begins thousands of years ago when native Lenape Indians populated the area and continues on through the early northern and western European immigrants, then the southern and eastern European immigrants, and on to the more recent Hispanic, Arab, and Muslim populations.
The film highlights some of Paterson’s famous residents and visitors, but focuses mainly on the ordinary people who lived and worked in the city and contributed to its social fabric. Through interviews, historic photos and on-location footage throughout the city, the story of Paterson’s evolution through demographic changes comes alive.
“I was riveted…loved every minute of it. I may watch it again…it was that good.” ~ Pat Kirwin Henderson
“I highly recommend….You will not be disappointed.” ~ Sammy LiSanti
“It is a wonderful film…the audience members truly enjoyed it.” ~ Janis B. Schwartz
“Informative and fascinating look at Paterson” ~ Nancy Pier Sindt
“So impressed…very informative and well presented…a real tribute to a great city” ~ Sharon Battaglino
“Brilliant! A crisp, focused and moving tribute to the old town” ~ Peter J. Art
See newspaper story about the film in the Paterson Times
Paterson and Its People DVD
Order this DVD now for yourself or as a gift. Price includes shipping charges.
$23.00
Vince Parrillo 
Hello Dr. Parrillo,
I am a sociolgy, history and public policy teacher in NJ as well as the child of Patersonians on both sides of my family. I read about your latest documentary titled Paterson and it’s People in the newspaper and I am very interested in purchasing a copy. Is there a way I can order one online or through WPU or yourself?
Thanks for your interest in my film. If you’ll send me a $20 check to my office (Department of Sociology, William Paterson University, Wayne, NJ 07470), I’ll be happy to send a DVD to you.
Best wishes,
Vince Parrillo
Hello — I am also interested in purchasing a copy. My family’s Paterson roots run deep. I currently live out of state. May I send you a $20 check to you at your office address above?
Thank you.
Hi, Patricia. Thanks for your interest in the film. Yes, please do that and I’ll be happy to send the DVD to you.
Dr. Parrillo, congratulations on your award winning film. My name is Michael E Taylor. I am a native Patersonian 68 years old. I am also an alumni of William Paterson University. I am also the access coordinator for Paterson’s public access channel. I have shown your film “Smoke Stacks and Steeples” during tv production courses. I also promote that film to anyone who really wants to know about Paterson’s glorious history. I would like to purchase your new DVD. I would also respectfully request your permission to show the DVD in a non-commercial manor to those Patersonians who may never get to see the film. I know this email is long but lastly I’d like to someday speak with you about a film featuring the history of Afro-Americans in Paterson. I have spoken to my friend Passaic County historian Edward Smyk about resources and he is willing to assist in the research. Thank you and again congratulations.
Michael, thank you for your kind words. DVDs of “Paterson and Its People,” as well as my earlier films, “Gaetano Federici: The Sculptor Laureate of Paterson” and “Smokestacks and Steeples: A Portrait of Paterson,” are available for purchase at the gift shops at the Paterson Falls and Lambert Castle. As with my reply to Patricia (below), you could also purchase of copy from me if that is more convenient. I would need more details about your request to show the DVD to Patersonians. Please email me (parrillov@wpunj.edu) with more specifics. Information and visuals about African Americans in Paterson are limited, but in “Paterson and Its People” you will see some time devoted to them. I would be interested in your reaction to those segments.
Hello Dr. Parrillo, I will be picking up copy of the DVD as well at the Gift shop. Your future project about artists and musicians from Paterson sounds very interesting in that my father Harold E. Foster pianist with the Silk City Band around 1936. He won 1st place at the Apollo theater Amateur Night at the Apollo. 16 years of age student at Paterson Central High. I have small article that was printed in local newspaper at that time but not much more known about the event.
Ron Foster
Thanks for writing. Do you have any photos of the Silk City Band?
I’ll get copy from my sister. I believe I graduated from Central High with one of your relatives. I also played football with him (Doug) ?
Anyway…I have a lot of material on my Aunt who also lived in Paterson in the late 40s early 50s who owned a Jazz club in Paris (Ringside which became the Bluenote in 1958) with her Husband that many of the renowned artists and entertainers of that period visited such as Billie Holliday, Sarah Vaughan, Thelonious Monk, Eartha Kitt, Lionel Hampton, and many others. Movie stars such as Brigett Bardot, Errol Flynn, Jane Russell, and Doris Duke of Southern tobacco empire. My aunt is in the photos with most of the entertainers in this social setting.
Can someone please tell me how I can get a copy of this documentary?
Hello, Heather. Thanks for your interest. DVDs are available for all the PBS Paterson documentaries. Please email me (vinceparrillo@yahoo.com) and I will give you the specifics on how to get a copy.
DR. PARRILLO,I HOPE I’M NOT TOO LATE.MY NAME IS MYRA M.BOGRAD,YES FROM BOGRAD’S FURNITURE,IRONICALLY & I ALSO WAS A STUDENT AT WILLIAM PATERSON.I HAD THE PLEASURE OF VIEWING “PATERSON & ITS PEOPLE” & SAW THE COMMENT ABOUT YOUR NEXT ONE TO BE ABOUT ARTISTS &I MUSICIANS FROM PATERSON.AS IT HAPPENS,MY BROTHER,JOEL PHILLIP MYERS IS A WORLD FAMOUS GLASS ARTIST FROM PATERSON & HIS PIECES HAVE BEEN PURCHASED & EXIST TODAY IN THE WHITE HOUSW & THE SMITHSONIAN INSTITUTE.HE IS PRESENTLY RESIDING WITH HIS WIFE,BIRHTE,
IN MARYLAND.I’M SURE HE SHOULD BE INCLUDED IN YOUR DOCUMENTARY OF FAMOUS PATERSONIANS.LOVE TOO HEAR FROM YOU ABOUT THIS .YOU CAN REACH ME AT 201-394-7464 OR ON MY EMAIL:MYRAMILL@OPTONLINE.NET.I THOROUGHLY ENJOYED YOUR DEPICTION OF THE OLD
PATERSON & LOOK FORWARD TO VIEWING THE OTHERS.I DO HOPE I’M NOT TOO LATE.THANKS FOR
YOUR TIME
MYRA M.BOGRAD
Thanks for writing, Myra. Actually, “Silk City Artists and Musicians” was completed a couple of years ago. Had I known about your brother and his talent, I most certainly would have included him. Perhaps I can include him in some future project.
Hi Prof. Parrillo — My family immigrated to Paterson from Costa Rica in 1965 and I’m working on a family history of their time the in the city. Your movie, Paterson and Its People, came highly recommended by a family friend who works in the city government, and I was wondering if there was a way to purchase a digital copy of it? I’d also love to pick your brain about Latinos, in particular, in Paterson during the 60s and 70s and to fact check some of my relatives’ recollections/impressions. Wondering if you’d be amenable to an interview?
Thanks for writing, Diana. I have your email address and will respond to you shortly. ~VNP
Just discovered this website. Please respond and let me know if both, “Paterson & It’s People” & “Silk City Artists &
Musicians” are available, and the cost.
I was born in Paterson in 1936, however moved to Chicago to attend DePaul University in 1954 and lived there until my retirement. Looking forward to your reply.
Hello, Frank. Thanks for your interest in these films. DVDs are available, each at $20 + $3 postage. If you’ll send me your address and a check for $46, I’ll mail them right out to you. My address is 3 Slate Court, #B3, Woodland Park, NJ 07424. ~Vince Parrillo
Received the discs today and on “Round 2” viewing both discs. Thanks again.
My parents and grandparents lived in Paterson and I would like to watch the video just for fun. Is there any way to watch online or do you require purchasing?
Sorry for the late reply. Just saw this. Because of public TV licensing restrictions, that video is not online, but is available for purchase. An old documentary of mine, “Smokestacks and Steeples: A Portrait of Paterson,” is available online though.