Exactly 70 years ago, in 1955, the annual Abbott’s Get Together was in full force. That night the show boasted Bob Lewis’ comedy magic, the mentalism of Dr. Jaks, the manipulation act of Ruth Ann Magee, and a flashy finale by Percy Abbott that ended with swords through a box. Then, according to Tops magazine, the lights were dimmed and a special feature was introduced. Chami Kkan, a mystic from Venezuela, removed his robe, stepped over to a large timber cross and, as a doctor and nurses supervised, he was nailed to the cross with three long spikes. The procedure took some 20 minutes as the audience exited in horror or waited, slack-jawed, for the finale. A few teenagers giggled. The cross was raised and the crucified man displayed on the stage. The audience was asked to remain silent. They did. The magic conventioneers were understandably confused. It wasn’t a trick. Chami Kkan really did it.
