{"id":270,"date":"2015-08-31T11:47:53","date_gmt":"2015-08-31T15:47:53","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.bates.edu\/faculty\/profile\/jon-j-cavallero-2\/"},"modified":"2026-03-17T16:07:48","modified_gmt":"2026-03-17T20:07:48","slug":"jonathan-j-cavallero","status":"publish","type":"faculty-profile","link":"https:\/\/www.bates.edu\/faculty\/profile\/jonathan-j-cavallero\/","title":{"rendered":"Jonathan J. Cavallero"},"content":{"rendered":"

Jon Cavallero<\/strong>\u00a0is Professor of Rhetoric, Film, and Screen Studies at Bates College and the Founding Director of the Bates Film Festival. Under his leadership, the Bates Film Festival has grown into a regionally respected, bi-annual event. In just four iterations, the festival has screened over 100 films originating from 6 different continents and welcomed over 60 guest filmmakers, including John Turturro, Chris Cooper, and John Sayles. Cavallero has also authored two books: Hollywood\u2019s Italian American Filmmakers: Capra, Scorsese, Savoca, Coppola, and Tarantino<\/em>\u00a0(University of Illinois Press, 2011) and Television Directors, Race, and Gender: Written Out of the Story\u00a0<\/em>(Routledge, 2024).\u00a0He is the co-editor of\u00a0Italian American Review<\/em>\u2019s special issue on \u201cItalian Americans and Television,\u201d and\u00a0his essays have appeared in numerous journals including\u00a0Cinema Journal\/The Journal of Cinema and Media Studies<\/em>,\u00a0Journal of Film and Video<\/em>,\u00a0The Journal of Popular Culture<\/em>,\u00a0MELUS<\/em>, and\u00a0The Journal of Popular Film & Television<\/em>. Cavallero currently sits on the editorial boards of\u00a0Journal of Film and Video<\/em>\u00a0and\u00a0Diasporic Italy <\/em>as well as the executive council of the Italian American Studies Association<\/em>. At Bates, he teaches courses on US and global media with a particular focus on the representation of race, ethnicity, and gender.\u00a0Cavallero previously taught at the University of Arkansas, Penn State University and Indiana University \u2013 Bloomington, where he was a two-time recipient of the Excellence in Teaching Award. He earned his B.A. from Georgetown University, his M.A. from Penn State University, and his Ph.D. from Indiana University \u2013 Bloomington. He lives in Yarmouth, Maine with his family.<\/p>\r\n

Publications<\/h3>\r\n

Books<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\r\n\r\n

Jonathan J. Cavallero. Television Directors, Race, and Gender<\/em>: Written Out of the Story<\/em>. Routledge Advances in Television Studies Series.\u00a0 New York: Routledge. 2024.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

Jonathan J. Cavallero. Hollywood\u2019s Italian American Filmmakers: Capra, Scorsese, Savoca, Coppola, and Tarantino<\/em>. Champaign: University of Illinois Press, 2011.<\/p>\r\n\r\n

Journals<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\r\n

Jonathan J. Cavallero & Laura E. Ruberto (eds.),\u00a0Italian American\u00a0<\/i>Review<\/i>\u00a06.2 (Summer 2016). Special issue on Italian\u00a0Americans and television.<\/p>\r\n

Journal Articles and Book Chapters<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\r\n

<\/strong> Jonathan J. Cavallero. \u201cDon(n)ing Italian-American Ethnicity: DigitalSpace, Ethnic Performance, and Textual Evolution in The Godfather<\/em> Video Game.\u201d\u00a0 Diasporic Italy <\/em>3 (October 2023): 43-59. \r\n\r\n<\/strong><\/p>\r\n

Jonathan J. Cavallero. \u201cEdible Ethnicity: Italian-American Representations, Cinematic Style, and Ethnic Commodification in Stanley Tucci\u2019s and Campbell Scott\u2019s Big Night<\/em>.\u201d In Italian Americans on Screen<\/em>. Edited by Ryan Calabretta-Sajder and Alan J. Gravano. 37-58. Lanham, MD: Lexington Books, 2021.<\/p>\r\n

\r\n\r\n<\/strong> Jonathan J. Cavallero. \u201cItalian-Americans in Cinema and Media.\u201d In Oxford Bibliographies in Cinema and Media Studies<\/em>. Edited by Krin Gabbard. New York: Oxford University Press, 2016\/2021.<\/p>\r\n

\r\n\r\n<\/strong> Jonathan J. Cavallero. \u201cTransnational Adaptation: Q & A<\/em>, Slumdog Millionaire<\/em>, and Aesthetic and Economic Relationships between Bollywood and Hollywood.\u201d The Journal of Popular Culture<\/em> 50.4 (August 2017): 835-854.<\/p>\r\n

\r\n\r\n<\/strong> Jonathan J. Cavallero. \u201cWritten Out of the Story: Issues of Television Authorship, Reception, and Ethnicity in NBC\u2019s \u2018Marty.\u2019\u201d Cinema Journal<\/em> 56.3 (Spring 2017): 47-73.<\/p>\r\n

\r\n\r\n<\/strong> Jonathan J. Cavallero & Laura E. Ruberto. \u201cIntroduction to the Special Issue on Italian Americans and Television.\u201d Italian American Review<\/em> 6.2 (Summer 2016): 160-172.<\/p>\r\n

\r\n\r\n<\/strong> Jonathan J. Cavallero. \u201cThe Afterlife of a Classical Text: Representing Ethnicity in the Stage Productions of Marty<\/em>.\u201d Italian American Review<\/em> 5.1 (Winter 2015): 27-45.<\/p>\r\n

\r\n\r\n<\/strong> Jonathan J. Cavallero. \u201cIssues of Race, Ethnicity and Television Authorship in Martin Scorsese Presents<\/em> The Blues<\/em> and Boardwalk<\/em> Empire<\/em>.\u201d In A Companion to Martin Scorsese<\/em>. Edited by Aaron Baker, 214-234. New York: Wiley-Blackwell, 2014.<\/p>\r\n

\r\n\r\n<\/strong> Jonathan J. Cavallero. \u201cEngaging Millennial Students in Social Justice from Initial Class Meetings to Service Learning.\u201d In From Entitlement to<\/em> Engagement: Affirming Millennial Students\u2019 Egos in the Higher<\/em> Education Classroom<\/em>. New Directions for Teaching and Learning Ser., 135. Edited by Dave S. Knowlton and Kevin Jack Hagopian, 75-80. San Francisco: Jossey-Bass, 2013. \r\n\r\n<\/strong><\/p>\r\n

Jonathan J. Cavallero. \u201cPlaying Good Italian\/Bad Italian in ABC\u2019s The Untouchables<\/em>.\u201d In Mafia Movies: A Reader<\/em>. Edited by Dana Regna, 76-84. Toronto: University of Toronto Press, 2011. Second edition, 2019 (58-63).<\/p>\r\n

\r\n\r\n<\/strong> Jonathan J. Cavallero. \u201cHitchcock and Race: Is the Wrong Man a White Man?\u201d Journal of Film and Video<\/em> 62.4 (Winter 2010): 3-14. [Lead article]<\/p>\r\n

\r\n\r\n<\/strong> Jonathan J. Cavallero. \u201cBeyond Italian Americans: When Directors of Italian Descent Cross Ethnic Lines.\u201d VIA: Voices in Italian Americana<\/em> 20.2 (Fall 2009): 3-11.\u00a0 [Lead article]<\/p>\r\n

\r\n\r\n<\/strong> Jonathan J. Cavallero. \u201cGangsters, Fessos<\/em>, Tricksters, and Sopranos: The Historical Roots of Italian American Stereotype Anxiety.\u201d Journal of Popular Film & Television<\/em> 32.2 (Summer 2004): 50-63. [Lead article]<\/p>\r\n

\r\n\r\n<\/strong> Jonathan J. Cavallero. \u201cFrank Capra\u2019s 1920s Immigrant Trilogy: Immigration, Assimilation, and the American Dream.\u201d MELUS: The Journal of the Society for the Study of the Multi-Ethnic Literatures of the United States<\/em> 29.2 (Summer 2004): 27-53.<\/p>\r\n

\r\n\r\n<\/strong> Jonathan J. Cavallero. \u201cRedefining Italianit\u00e0<\/em>: The Difference Between Mussolini, Italy, Germany, and Japan in Frank Capra\u2019s \u2018Why We Fight.\u2019\u201d Italian Americana<\/em> 22.1 (Winter 2004): 5-16.<\/p>\r\n

\r\n\r\n<\/strong> Jonathan J. Cavallero. \u201cA Horse is a Horse?: Broadway Bill<\/em>, Riding High<\/em>, and a Changing American Culture.\u201d Pennsylvania English <\/em>26.1-2 (2003\/2004): 11-26.<\/p>\r\n

\r\n\r\n<\/strong> Jonathan J. Cavallero. \u201c\u2018Maybe Because You\u2019re Italian\u2019: The Depiction of Italian and Italian American Characters in the Films of Frank Capra.\u201d VIA: Voices in Italian Americana<\/em> 14.1 (Spring 2003): 15-34.<\/p>\r\n

Publicly Available Talks and Interviews<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\r\n\r\n

Jonathan J. Cavallero,\u201cThe Power of Film<\/a>.\u201d\u00a0Maine Calling<\/em>. Maine Public Radio. May 14, 2024.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

Interviewee, \u201cStudents Are Running This Maine Film Festival but It\u2019s Open to Everyone<\/a>.\u201d Rob Caldwell. 207<\/em>. Newscenter Maine (NBC affiliate). Television. May 13, 2024.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

Jonathan J. Cavallero, \u201cGoing to the Movies<\/a>.\u201d\u00a0Maine Calling<\/em>. Maine Public Radio. August 11, 2023.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

Jonathan J. Cavallero, \u201cHollywood\u2019s Italian American Filmmakers<\/a>.\u201d \u00a0The Italian Radio Hour<\/em>.\u00a0 Instituto Mondo Italiano.\u00a0 Pittsburgh, PA.\u00a0 January 20, 2023.<\/p>\r\n\r\n

Jonathan J. Cavallero.\u00a0\u201cEdible Ethnicity: Italian-American\u00a0Representations, Cinematic Style, and Ethnic Commodification in Stanley Tucci\u2019s and Campbell Scott\u2019s\u00a0Big Night<\/em>.\u201d Maine Film Center.\u00a0\u00a0Live Zoom Presentation<\/a>. November 2020.<\/p>\r\n

Jonathan J. Cavallero. “Bates Film Professor Jon Cavallero’s\u00a0Top 30 Films of the Decade<\/a>.” Bates News. January 9, 2020.<\/p>\r\n

Jonathan J. Cavallero, \u201cJohn Ford: Remembering Maine\u2019s Native Son and Celebrated\u00a0Director.<\/a>\u201d\u00a0Maine Calling\u00a0<\/em>with Jennifer Rooks. Maine Public Radio.\u00a0\u00a0January 29, 2019.<\/p>\r\n

Book & Film Reviews & Remembrances<\/strong> <\/span><\/p>\r\n

Jonathan J. Cavallero. (2020).\u00a0\u00a0\u201cThe Problem(s) with\u00a0Green Book<\/em>.\u201d<\/a>\u00a0Review of\u00a0Green Book<\/em>.\u00a0\u00a0Animo Quarterly: Reflections on Green Book.\u00a0<\/em>(Fall 2020).<\/p>\r\n

Jonathan J. Cavallero. (2020).\u00a0\u00a0Review of Giuliana Muscio,\u00a0Napoli\/New York\/Hollywood: Film between Italy and the United States<\/em>. Italian<\/em>\u00a0American Review<\/em>\u00a010.1\u00a0(Winter 2020): 96-99.<\/p>\r\n

Jonathan J. Cavallero. (2019). Remembrance of Peter Bondanella. Italian American Review.<\/p>\r\n

Jonathan J. Cavallero. Review of Anthony Julian Tamburri, Re-Viewing Italian Americana: Generalities and Specificities in Cinema. Altreitalie 47 (July – December 2013): 106-8.<\/p>\r\n

Jonathan J. Cavallero. Review of the documentary film Vito (2011). Italian American Review 3.2 (Summer 2013): 146-9.<\/p>\r\n

Jonathan J. Cavallero. Review of Gilbert Sorrentino, The Abyss of Human Illusion. Italian Americana 29.1 (Winter 2011): 124-5.<\/p>\r\n

Jonathan J. Cavallero. Review of Giorgio Bertellini, Italy in Early American Cinema. Italica 87.3 (Autumn 2010): 527-9.<\/p>\r\n

Jonathan J. Cavallero. “Forbidden.” Review of the 1932 Frank Capra film. Quarterly Review of Film and Video 29.5 (2010): 399-401.<\/p>\r\n

Jonathan J. Cavallero. Review of the documentary film Hollywood Chinese (2007). Film & History 39.1 (Spring 2009): 84-5.<\/p>\r\n

Jonathan J. Cavallero. Review of the documentary film Excellent Cadavers (2005). Film & History 37.2 (September 2007): 86-7.<\/p>\r\n

Jonathan J. Cavallero. Review of Robert Sklar and Vito Zagarrio, eds. Frank Capra: Authorship and the Studio System. Journal of Popular Film & Television 30.2 (Summer 2002): 120.<\/p>","protected":false},"author":781,"featured_media":443,"template":"","class_list":["post-270","faculty-profile","type-faculty-profile","status-publish","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","expertise-film-and-television-studies","expertise-specific-bollywood","expertise-specific-film-festivals","expertise-specific-issues-of-diversity-equity-and-inclusion-in-pedagogy","expertise-specific-issues-of-race-and-ethnicity-in-film-and-television","expertise-specific-italian-americans-and-media","expertise-specific-media-aesthetics","expertise-specific-media-authorship","expertise-specific-u-s-cultural-history","what-i-teach-rhetoric","what-i-teach-screen-studies","what-i-teach-specific-american-and-international-film-history","what-i-teach-specific-archival-research","what-i-teach-specific-bollywood","what-i-teach-specific-cultural-studies","what-i-teach-specific-digital-video-production","what-i-teach-specific-film-festival-management","what-i-teach-specific-film-theory","what-i-teach-specific-immigration-and-media","what-i-teach-specific-introduction-to-screen-studies","what-i-teach-specific-italian-american-masculinities","what-i-teach-specific-john-ford","what-i-teach-specific-movie-remakes"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.bates.edu\/faculty\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/faculty-profile\/270","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.bates.edu\/faculty\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/faculty-profile"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.bates.edu\/faculty\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/faculty-profile"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.bates.edu\/faculty\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/781"}],"version-history":[{"count":23,"href":"https:\/\/www.bates.edu\/faculty\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/faculty-profile\/270\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":7403,"href":"https:\/\/www.bates.edu\/faculty\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/faculty-profile\/270\/revisions\/7403"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.bates.edu\/faculty\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/443"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.bates.edu\/faculty\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=270"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}