THE ITALIAN AMERICANS, a new two-part, four-hour documentary series about the Italian experience in America, will premiere on PBS on Tuesdays, February 17 and 24, 2015, from 9 p.m. - 11 p.m. The series written and produced by John Maggio and narrated by Academy Award-nominated actor Stanley Tucci — explores the evolution of Italian Americans from the late 19th century to today, from “outsiders” once viewed with suspicion and mistrust to some of the most prominent leaders of business, politics and the arts today.
TIMELINE
THE ITALIAN AMERICANS documentary series explores over a century of events that have helped shaped American history and the Italian American community. This interactive timeline features dozens of archival photographs and images used in the series.
BEING ITALIAN
Share memories of your Italian Heritage with The National Italian American Foundation (NIAF) and they could be featured on the website for the documentary series, THE ITALIAN AMERICANS. View shared memories from other families
THE ITALIAN AMERICANS reveals the unique and distinctive qualities of one immigrant group’s experience, and how these qualities, over time, have shaped and challenged America. Unlike other immigrant groups, many Italians did not come to America to stay. At the turn of the 20th century, most came to work, earn money to support their families and eventually return home. Nearly half of the first generation of Italian immigrants did return to Italy. For those who made America home, their struggle to maintain a distinct Italian culture was guided by remarkably powerful ideals of family that had always been at the center of their lives.
In the Italian family, the needs of the collective came before the individual — a value system often at odds with American ideals of freedom and personal choice. While the power of the Italian family became a source of strength, it also bred suspicion, popularized in popular media as a dark, criminal element. This clash of culture echoed through generations of Italian Americans and, as they entered positions of political, social and cultural influence, has left its mark on the American landscape.
Through extensive archival materials and interviews with scholars and notable Italian Americans — such as U.S. Supreme Court Associate Justice Antonin Scalia, U.S. Representative Nancy Pelosi, Tony Bennett, Dion DiMucci, David Chase, Gay Talese and John Turturro, who speak from personal experience — THE ITALIAN AMERICANS tells the story of those who played vital roles in shaping the relationship between Italians and mainstream American society.
"La Famiglia" (1890-1910) airs Tuesday, February 17 at 9 p.m. - A brief history of the Italian Risorgimento provides the context for the great flight from the mezzogiorno region. By the late 19th century, Italians begin to put down roots and "Little Italys" spring up in urban areas throughout the U.S. But the first generation, holding onto language and culture, is branded "outsiders" and mistrusted by non-Italians. In New Orleans, this mistrust explodes into violence and 11 Italian Americans are murdered by an armed mob. Meanwhile, in San Francisco, a second-generation Italian American saves his community from disaster while creating one of the greatest financial institutions in America.
"Becoming Americans" (1910-1930) airs Tuesday, February 17 at 10 p.m. - At the turn of the 20th century, more than four million Italians immigrate to America. Leonard Covello is forced to give up his "old world" ways and adopt American mores, including changing his name; Arturo Giovannitti, a new immigrant, leads the largest labor strike of 1912, when Italian Americans push for better working conditions and wages. Italian Americans are forced to worship in the basement of churches controlled by the Irish archdiocese; anarchists Sacco and Vanzetti are executed, reinforcing stereotypes that plague Italian Americans today; Prohibition breeds a new kind of criminal who takes a shortcut to success.
"Loyal Americans" (1930-1945) airs Tuesday, February 24 at 9 p.m. - A second generation of Italian Americans begins to enter the labor movement, politics, sports and entertainment. Fiorello LaGuardia becomes mayor of New York City. Joe DiMaggio, the son of a San Francisco fisherman, becomes a baseball powerhouse who becomes an American hero. But with the outbreak of World War II, loyalty to America is questioned and Italians are forced to choose between two nations at war. While many Italian Americans fight on the frontlines with valor and bravery, other Italian Americans are labeled "Enemy Aliens," including DiMaggio's parents. The war proves to be a turning point for Italian Americans as they begin to break out of their enclaves.
"The American Dream" (1945-present) airs Tuesday, February 24 at 10 p.m. - In post-war America, Italian Americans enter the middle class. Italian-American crooners define American cool, but even as Frank Sinatra skyrockets to fame, he is haunted by accusations of Mafia ties. Can Italian Americans fit into 1950s America or will the specter of organized crime always plague them? Governor Mario Cuomo, son of Italian immigrants, struggles to straddle both worlds, while his sons' success promises assimilation and acceptance. Antonin Scalia becomes the first Italian American appointed to the U.S. Supreme Court and Congresswoman Nancy Pelosi is the first woman and Italian American elected to Speaker of the House. Have Italian Americans finally shed the old stereotypes and become fully accepted in America?
Italian Americans Preview
"The Italian Americans reveals how Italian immigrants challenged the notion of the American “melting pot” — chronicling four generations of Italian-American lives
Sacco and Vanzetti
Assimilation
Immigrants were expected to assimilate into the American culture.
Rudolph Valentino
Rudolph Valentino brought something totally new to Hollywood
Joe DiMaggio
The Godfather
Breaking Through
"We note the passing of Mario Cuomo
