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 33 Collections and/or Records:
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 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.
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.
American Guild of Variety Artists Contract for an Engagement at Bellevue Café Casino, 4 April 1951
American Guild of Variety Artists contract for the Denvers to appear at Bellevue Café Casino, Montreal, from 26 July 1951 for two weeks; typescript, 1p.
Business Records, 1922 - 1969
Contracts and agreements for engagements on stage and on television, kept by Ralph Norman (aka Hal Denver) amd his wife, Olga Norman, who perfomred together as The Sensational Denvers, primarily in North America, but also in Mainland Europe, South America and the United Kingdom, as well as documentation relating to membership to professional associations, and personal family documentation.
Commission Note for BBC Engagement, 8 November 1948
Artist's copy of a commission note dated to Harry Blue in London, agreeing to pay 10% commission on salary for procuring an engagement with the BBC from 29 November to 10 December; typescript, 2pp.
Confirmation Contract Between Stanley W. Wathon Agency and Bellevue Café Casino, Montreal, 4 April 1951
Confirmation contract between Stanley W Wathon Agency and Harry Holmok of Bellevue Café Casino Montreal, in which Harry Holmok agrees to engage the Denvers for two weeks from 26 July 1951, and for which he will pay $500 a week; typescript, 1p.
Contract for an Engagement at Alpine Inn, Mt Royal Hotel, Quebec, 9 October 1951
American Guild of Variety Artists contract between Sidney Tapley and the Denvers, to appear at Alpine Inn, Mt Royal Hotel, Quebec, for twenty shows commencing 16 October 1951; typescript, 1p.
Contract for an Engagement at Avon Theatre, Watertown, New York, 27 November 1951
Paramount Theatrical Agency American Guild of Variety Artists contract between Schine and the Sensational Denvers, to appear at Avon Theatre, Watertown, New York from 6 December 1951; typescript, 1p.
Contract for an Engagement at Capitol Theatre, Scranton, Pennsylvania, 14 November 1951
Joe Feinberg Agency contract for the Sensational Denvers to appear at Capitol Theatre, Scranton, Pennsylvania from 29 November 1951; typescript, 1p.
Contract for an Engagement at Colonial Theatre, Albany, New York, 19 December 1951
Paramount Theatrical Agency American Guild of Variety Artists contract between Sam Orson and the Sensational Denvers, to appear at Colonial Theatre, Albany, New York, from 10 January 1952; typescript, 1p.
Contract for an Engagement at Court Square Theatre, Springfield, Massachusetts, 4 January 1952
Paramount Theatrical Agency American Guild of Variety Artists contract between E M Loew and the Sensational Denvers, to appear at Court Square Theatre, Springfield, Massachusetts from 18 January 1952; typescript, 1p.
Contract for an Engagement at Feeley Theatre, Hazleton, Pennsylvania, 7 November 1951
Joe Feinberg Agency contract between Feeley Theatre, Hazleton Pennsylvania, and the Sensational Denvers, to appear at Feeley Theatre from 15 November 1951; typescript, 1p.
Contract for an Engagement at Gatineau Country Club, Quebec, 7 August 1951
Contract from Sidney Taplin of American Guild of Variety Artists, for the Denvers to appear at Gatineau Country Club, Aylmer, Quebec, from 10 August 1951; typescript, 1p.
Contract for an Engagement at Hudson Theatre, New Jersey, 12 September 1951
Contract between Lou Miller Agency and the Denvers, for the Denvers to appear at Hudson Theatre, Union City, New Jersey, for one week from 16 September 1951; typescript, 1p.
Contract for an Engagement at Loews Penn Theatre, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, 17 January 1952
Music Corporation of America contract between Tony Bennett and the Denvers, to appear at Loews Penn Theatre, Pittsburgh, for seven days from 21 March 1952, plus two riders; typescript, 3pp.
Contract for an Engagement at Loews State Theatre, Cleveland, Ohio, 17 January 1952
Music Corporation of America contract between Tony Bennett and the Denvers, to appear at Loews State Theatre, Cleveland, Ohio, for seven days from 14 March 1952; typescript, 1p.
Contract for an Engagement at Penn Theatre, Wilkesbarre, Pennsylvania, 14 November 1951
Joe Feinberg Agency contract between Penn Theatre, Wilkesbarre, Pennsylvania and the Sensational Denvers, to appear at Penn Theatre from 22 November 1951; typescript, 1p.
Contract for an Engagement at State Theatre, Hartford, Connecticut, 10 January 1952
Music Corporation of America contract between Tony Bennett and the Denvers, to appear at State Theatre, Hartford, Connecticut, from 9 February 1952; typescript, 1p.