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 12 Collections and/or Records:
Circus Friends Association Collection
This collection consists of a large library of books and journals, as well as archival material including posters, programmes, photographs, films, handbills, research material, scrapbooks, original artwork and many other items of ephemera relating to British, Irish and European circuses
Correspondence, c1936 - 1993
Letters and telegrams primarily relating to the performing lives of Ralph Norman (aka Hal Denver) and his wife, Olga Norman, known as The Sensational Denvers, in the 1950s, as well as Ralph Normans's family life and later career endeavours in both the United Kingdom and the United States of America.
Monographs, Articles and Manuscripts, c1910 - 1990
Monographs, articles, manuscripts and notes, relating to the lives and work of the Norman family, notably showman, Tom Norman (known as The Silver King), and his son, Ralph Norman, who was a knife thrower (known as Hal Denver). Most the writings in this collection were written by Ralph Norman.
Newspaper Cutting for the South Texas State Fair Revue, c1955 - 1956
Undated cutting from unknown newspaper advertising the South Texas State Fair Revue, featuring the Denvers and with a photograph of Olga Denver.
Newspaper Cuttings, c1925 -2002
Cuttings and articles from British and international news publications, including local, specialist, and national newspapers and magazines, relating to the personal lives and careers of the Norman family, notably knife thrower, Ralph Norman (aka Hal Denver).
Norman Family Collection
Norman Family Photographs, c1900 - 1994
Photographs, c1900 - 1994
Photographs relating to the life and career of knife thrower, Ralph Norman (aka Hal Denver), together with photographs of family members, notably his father, Tom Norman, as well as family occasions and weddings, presumably collected by him and dated approximately from 1990 to his death in 1994.
Programme Souvenir De La Exposition Regionale: Agricole - Commerciale - Industrielle, 1951
Printed souvenir programme for an agricultural fair organised by Societe Cooperative Agricole de Chicoutimi, France. The Sensational Denvers' performed their knife throwing act at this event, and the programme includes information about their performance, illustrated with three black and white photographs of Hal Denver (aka Ralph Norman), and his assistant, Olga. Cream booklet, with red and green illustrations and text on the cover, and black text and images inside, 33pp.
Programmes, c1800 - 2019
A collection of mainly British and international circus programmes and some variety and music hall programmes containing circus acts.
Programmes, 1932 - 1960
Show and event programmes featuring performances by Ralph Norman (aka Hal Denver) and his wife, Olga Norman, who performed a knife throwing act together, often known as The Sensational Denvers.
Untitled Typescript, c1940 - 1960
Typescript, possibly a script for a broadcast or performance, beginning, 'Theres an old adage which says, sex makes the world go around…', thought to be written by Hal Denver (aka Ralph Norman). Includes descriptions of a walk around a fairground, 6pp.