Melvin Burkhart (1907–2001) was a sideshow performer known as the Human Blockhead for driving a large steel spike up his nose with a hammer. He was also known as Melvin the Two-Faced Man, due to his ability to wear different facial expressions on the two sides of his face, and as Melvin the Anatomical Wonder for his abilities as a contortionist. His act also included magic, sword swallowing, fire eating, and an electric chair.^[1]

Biography

Clarence Melvin Burkhart was born in Atlanta on February 16, 1907, and grew up in several places throughout the southern US, principally New Orleans. He dropped out of school in his early teens and moved to Louisville, Kentucky where he worked as a field hand by day and in burlesque halls by night. At the age of 20, he joined a small one-ring circus, Mr. Leroy Easter's Traveling Family Circus, as a contortionist. In 1934, he joined Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus performing five acts. In 1939, he went to New York to perform at Robert Ripley's Odditorium in New York City, before returning to work with Ringling Brothers.^[2]: 177 Later, he joined the James E. Straits Shows, emceeing the sideshow and providing the majority of acts. He stayed with the Straits Shows for over 30 years before moving to Coney Island USA’s Sideshow by the Seashore where he finished his career.^[3][4][5][6]

Burkhart performed a variety of acts, including a human blockhead routine, magic tricks, an electric chair illusion, and a snake-wrestling show.^[2]: 176 He was also able to suck in his abdomen to an extreme degree, becoming known as the "Man Without a Stomach".^{[2]: 176–177}

References

Further reading

• Confessions of a Glass Eater: Melvin Burkhart
• MELVIN BURKHART - The Anatomical Wonder