TIPTON – DelGrosso Foods Inc., America’s oldest major family-owned producer of pasta sauce, has announced its sponsorship of the major four-hour television documentary series, The Italian Americans.
The film, narrated by award-winning actor Stanley Tucci (Big Night, The Devil Wears Prada and The Hunger Games), chronicles four generations of Italian-American lives, from the massive late 19th century wave of immigration to the present day: their departures and reunions, their struggles to stay connected to their homeland while making their way in America and their entry into labor, entertainment, politics and war.
The film airs nationally on PBS on Feb. 17 and Feb. 24. “The DelGrosso Family is proud and excited to sponsor this remarkable film,” said company president, Joe DelGrosso.
“One of the quotes early in the documentary is that ‘No other immigrant story has been more mythologized than that of Italian Americans.’ This film carefully documents the ‘real’ story of Italian Americans—one that’s very different than the sensationalized version we see in Hollywood movies. The stories in this film are much like our own family history—filled with risk, hardship, dedication to family and working together toward the American dream.”
Central Pennsylvania residents will have a rare opportunity to attend a special preview of the film on Jan. 16. Hosted by WPSU-TV and DelGrosso Foods, the event will include select clips of the documentary and an audience question-and-answer session with special guest, John Maggio, lead writer and producer of The Italian Americans.
Screenings for the film are being held in New York City, San Francisco, Los Angeles, Miami and Chicago, making Altoona the only small city in the country to host one of these events.
Tickets are free but must be reserved ahead of time by visiting wpsu.org/italianamericans or by calling WPSU at 814-863-6635. The event begins at 7 p.m. at the Penn State Altoona Devorris Downtown Center at 1431 12th Ave., Altoona.
When the four-part series airs nationally, each episode will open and close with a special message from DelGrosso Foods’ third-generation family member, Michael DelGrosso, vice president of sales and marketing.
Highlighting the family’s 100-plus years of sauce-making tradition, the video spot will also allow DelGrosso Foods to build awareness of their venerable company across the country. In 2006, the company launched a new specialty line called La Famiglia DelGrosso, which is now carried by grocers in 42 states.