Hori Smoku Sailor Jerry

Fanciers of tattoo art will be fascinated by Erich Weiss' documentary, which offers both an admiring portrait of renowned practitioner Norman Collins (1911-73), aka “Sailor Jerry,” and a brief history of tattooing. Collins began tattooing in Chicago during the 1920s but became a recognized master after moving to Hawaii, where he studied the techniques of the great Japanese artists (called “horis”) and developed his own pigments and needle practices. Weiss constructs this biography from documents, archival materials, and interviews with acquaintances of Collins, such as Don Ed Hardy and Mike Malone, who speak very flatteringly of his work—not surprisingly, since they were his protégés and own a company that produces Sailor Jerry merchandise—but others with less direct contact echo their praise. Weiss also does a good job in sketching the Honolulu scene during the 1930s and ‘40s, when large numbers of sailors came to Hotel Street—where Collins kept his shop—in search of liquor, sex, and tattoos. And he doesn't shy away from portraying his subject's extreme right-wing politics and prodigious use of profanity (evidenced by excerpts read from his letters). It's doubtful that Hori Smoku Sailor Jerry will convince those not enamored with tattoos that Collins was an artistic genius, but it will certainly appeal to the converted. DVD extras include a director's commentary, five deleted scenes, and samples of Collins' letters. Recommended, overall. Aud: C, P. (F. Swietek)