Denver, Hal, 1909 - 1994
Biography
Hal Denver was the stage name of Ralph Norman, second son of Tom Norman ‘The Silver King’, and father of Michael (Mickey) Van Norman the famous boxing referee.
Hal was born in 1909 to one of the most successful showmen of the 19th century and followed the family tradition into the travelling entertainment business to become a renowned star on both sides of the Atlantic, appearing in films and rodeos in America during the 1930s and 1940s.
Hal was a very successful and versatile entertainer. He performed in a Wild West speciality act as both a knife-thrower and cowboy and his early career involved working on the fairgrounds with his family. His skills quickly catapulted him into the world of variety, acting and circus. He appeared in many films and rodeos in America and Europe next to big cowboy names such as Tex Ritter and William Boyd. He was also a guest on The Johnny Carson Show and appeared on the Ed Sullivan Show together with Elvis Presley and Gene Autry. He worked in variety with Dick Henderson, 'Hutch', Morecambe and Wise, Edith Piaf, Tony Martin, Dorothy Dandridge and Denise Darcel amongst others and worked in some of the most important circus rings of the time such as Ringling Bros and Barnum & Bailey in the United States and the Blackpool Tower and Billy Smart's Circus in England.
Between stage tours in variety, Denver also formed his own travelling circus, using names such as 'The Silver King Circus', 'The South African', 'The Royal South African Circus', 'The New Era Circus' and 'The Great American Circus'. In their heyday, the Denvers appeared in leading theatres such as the Sahara Hotel in Vegas and the Palace Theatre on Broadway.
After his third wife, Olga Frei, left the circus, Hal returned to cabaret and theatre work, and later concentrated on film and television work, appearing in Emmerdale and Coronation Street.
Hal spent his entire life in show business until his death on the eve of filming a new television programme in 1994.
Found in 412 Collections and/or Records:
A Brief History of Knife Throwing, c1940 - 1960
Typescript titled, 'A Brief History of Knife Throwing', thought to be written by Hal Denver (aka Ralph Norman), 1p.
A Waiver and Agreement Humorous Card, c1930 - 1994
Card intending to be humorous, headed ‘A waiver and agreement’; typescript, 1p.
Advertisement for Acts Appearing at the Town Casino, Buffalo, New York, December 1951 - January 1952
Advertisement found inside Pix Magazine for the Town Casino, Buffalo, New York, in the form of a letter card, containing an advertisement for acts appearing in weeks beginning 4 and 11 February [1952], inside, and for week beginning 28 January [1952] on the back cover, where the Denvers are mentioned; illustrated, 1p.
Advertisement for Sans Souci Nightclub, Havana, Cuba, c1956
A4 sheet folded into three, advertising Lefty Clark’s Sans Souci Night Club in Havana, Cuba, partly annotated by hand and with a photograph of Olga stuck onto it; illustrated, 1p.
Advertisement for the Sensational Denvers, c1948 - 1956
A4 sheet advertising The Sensational Denvers, describing the act, with two photographs, published by the Stanley W Wathon Agency, New York; illustrated.
Agreement Between Reggie Dennis and the Denvers, 9 May 1953
Agreement between Reggie Dennis and the Denvers to appear ‘as required’ on or about 13 July 1953; typescript, 1p.
Agreement, Commission Note, and Covering Letter for Teatro Foro Italico Rome Appearance, 28 December 1954
i) Signed agreement between Radiotelevisione Italiana and the Knife Throwing Denvers to appear at Teatro Foro Italico Rome on 6 January 1955, ii) commission note to pay Lew and Leslie Grade ten percent of the 125,000 Lire salary for that appearance, and iii) a covering letter from Lew Grade to “Dear Friends”; typescript, 3pp.
Agreement for an Engagement at Earle Theatre, Philadelphia, 22 January 1952
Agreement between Warner Bros and the Denvers, to appear at Earle Theatre, Philadelphia, for seven days from 7 March 1952; typescript, 1p.
Agreement for an Engagement at Hotel Sahara, Las Vegas, 1 May 1956
Music Corporation of America agreement between Hotel Sahara, Las Vegas, and the Sensational Denvers, forty-two performances from 23 October 1956; typescript, 1p.
Agreement for an Engagement at RKO Palace, New York, 28 August 1951
Agreement between RKO Service Corporation and the Sensational Denvers to appear at RKO Palace, New York, for one week from 6 September 1951; typescript, 1p.
Agreement for an Engagement at South Louisiana State Fair, Donaldsonville, 4 October 1955
Music Corporation of America agreement for The Denvers to appear at South Louisiana State Fair, Donaldsonville, for three shows on 7, 8, and 9 October 1955; typescript, 1p.
Agreement for an Engagement at the Carnival Room, Capitol Hotel, New York, 22 January 1952
Music Corporation of America agreement between General Electric Co and the Sensational Denvers, to appear at the Carnival Room, Capitol Hotel, New York City for one show on 6 February 1952; typescript, 1p.
Agreement for an Engagement at the Naval Training Station, Newport Rhode Island, 23 April 1952
Music Corporation of America agreement between Tex Beneke and Orchestra and the Denvers, to appear at the Naval Training Station, Newport Rhode Island on 28 April 1952, plus rider; typescript, 2pp.
Agreement for an Engagement at Town Casino, Buffalo, New York, 28 December 1951
Music Corporation of America agreement between Town Casino and the Denvers, to appear at Town Casino, Buffalo, New York, for twenty-one shows beginning 28 January 1952; typescript, 1p.
Agreement for an Engagement at Vagabond's Club, Miami, Florida, April - May 1956
Music Corporation of America agreement between Vagabonds inc and the Denvers, to do twelve performances at Vagabond’s Club, Miami, from 31 May 1956; typescript, 1p.
Agreement for an Engagement Made Between Tom Arnold Limited and the Denvers, 9 June 1952
Confirmation agreement made 9 June 1952 between Tom Arnold Limited and the Sensational Denvers, to appear from 26 July 1952 for at least four weeks (venue not recorded); typescript, 2pp.
Alitalia Aeroplane Ticket Counterfoil, c1948 - 1958
Alitalia aeroplane ticket counterfoil for flight from London- Milan-Naples on 11 and 16 May [year unknown].
Amateur Photographer Magazine Article About Belle Vue Gardens, Manchester, c1936 - 1946
Pages 75 - 76 of Amateur Photographer magazine (undated), from the ‘Miniature Camera Gossip’ column by Lancelot Vining, describing a day at Belle Vue Gardens, Manchester, visiting the circus, with a picture of Hal Denver and his human target, Ella [Denver].
American Federation of Television and Radio Artists Statement of Fees, c1955
Statement of fees from American Federation of Television and Radio Artists to Hal Denver care of Music Corporation of America, New York for quarter ending 11 January 1955, typescript, 1p.
American Guild of Variety Artists Circular Letter on Membership Subscriptions, 21 September 1951
Circular letter from American Guild of Variety Artists notifying members of an increase in membership subscriptions; typescript, 1p.