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 22 Collections and/or Records:
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 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.
Belle Vue Grand Victory Circus Programme, 1945 - 1946
Manchester. Three fold programme with colour illustration of two laughing clowns on top section, red and black in the centre and other circus acts on bottom section including animal trainer and equestrian act on a yellow background on the front cover, inside programme, black and white photographs of performers inclusing Hal Denver with text and red and black illustrations of circus acts on a yellow background on the right and bottom sections.
Belle Vue Programmes, c1900 - 1999
Belle Vue Circus programmes.
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
Fabulous Vas Vegas Magazine, 27 October 1956
Two copies of Fabulous Las Vagas Magazine, which includes an advertisement for an event that featured The Sensational Denvers at Hotel Sahara, Vas Vegas, Nevada (Page 3) and a short article describing the their knife throwing act (Page 26). Purple cover with white text, illustrated with a black and white photograph of a woman in a bikini, with black text inside, and black and white illustrations and photographs, 44pp.
Fabulous Vas Vegas Magazine, 3 November 1956
Two copies of Fabulous Las Vagas Magazine, which includes an advertisement for an event that featured The Sensational Denvers at Hotel Sahara, Vas Vegas, Nevada (Page 3) and a short article describing the their knife throwing act (Page 26). Purple cover with white text, illustrated with a black and white photograph of a woman in a bikini, with black text inside, and black and white illustrations and photographs, 44pp.
Hal Norman Rodeo Times Action Act Advertisement Mock-Up, c1948 - 1952
This item is thought to be a mock-up for a leaflet or handbill advertising, Ralph Norman's wild west act. Includes a photograph of Ralph Norman, images of cowboys, an American flag and the words: 'Hal [Norman]. Rodeo Times Action Act', 1p.
Handbills, c1937 - 1970
Handbills and other advertisements for performances of Ralph Norman (aka Hal Denver) and his wife, Olga Norman, who had a knife throwing act together, often known as The Sensational Denvers, both in the United Kingdom and abroad, notably in North 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 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
Notes on ‘The Giraffe Neck Woman’ Kayan Lahwi Woman, c1900 - 1960
Brown envelope, opened out, with typed notes for a stage routine and hand-written additions to script. Diagram on reverse: Giraffe 3’, Totem pole 2’6”, 1/2 also Venus, Headless 3’, Decapitation 3’, pincushion [sic] 2’6” app, spider 2’6” approx, typescript and manuscript, 2pp.
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.
Posters, c1952 - 1962
Posters, collected by Ralph Norman (aka Hal Denver).
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.
Set of Throwing Knives, c1930 - 1994
Nineteen heavy knives with metal blade and turned wooden handle.
The Sensational Denvers: Aiming to Thrill Press Releases, c1947 - 1956
Pages issued by Press Relations Department, Music Corporation of America, New York, with a list of engagements and six different press releases about Hall Denvers’ knife throwing act, which he performed with his partner Olga Denver, typescript, 8pp.