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 7 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
Eastern Daily Press Newspaper Cutting About the Portrayal of Tom Norman in The Elephant Man Film, 27 November 1980
Newspaper cutting from Eastern Daily Press, pasted onto the reverse of an envelope addressed to Hal Denver, entitled ‘Norfolk woman upset by film,’ which reports that Mrs Valerie Howkins has been upset by the film ‘The Elephant Man’ for its portrayal of her grandfather, Tom Norman.
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 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
Programmes, c1800 - 2019
A collection of mainly British and international circus programmes and some variety and music hall programmes containing circus acts.
The Armless Wonder Monograph, c1910 - 1984
Typescript with 'Ellis the Hangman next week' handwritten on the final page, and 'Received 1 Feb 1984 Ed. Dept' stamped on the back, typescript, 6pp.