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 348 Collections and/or Records:
Antonuchi's Chihuahuas Script, c1957 - 1970
Script annotated by hand, 'Working script, 1a, The Davos,' typescript, 7pp.
Antonuchi's Chihuahuas Script, c1957 - 1970
Script annotated by hand, typescript, 2pp.
Application Form for Membership of American Federation of Television and Radio Artists, September 1955
Partially completed application form for membership of American Federation of Television and Radio Artists, with typed caption ‘Steve Allen Show 9/1/55’ and Hal Denver’s name typed in as applicant; typescript, 1p.
Arthur van Norman: Prince of Clowns Biography, July 1989
Biographical sheet signed VH, typescript, 1p.
Ashwell Fete and Flower Show Programme, August 1932
Programme for Ashwell Fete and Flower Show, August Bank Holiday 1932, with Hal Norman listed on the back page as one of the acts, 2pp.
Asociación Cubana de Artistas Work Permit, 1956
Artist's work permit issued to Hal Denver by Asociación Cubana de Artist[as], Havana, Cuba; includes photograph, folded, 1p.
Audio Material, c1980 - 1994
Audio recordings concerning the life and career of knife thrower, Ralph Norman (aka Hal Denver).
Bernard M. Wooley Ltd Theatrical and Variety Agents Syllabus of Attractions, 1951
Booklets for 7 Club in Club de L'Etoille, The Hague, c1955
Four booklets for the 7 Club in Club de L’Etoile, den Haag [the Hague, Netherlands], advertising acts, with the Sensational Denvers featured on the last inside page; illustrated, 6pp.
Business Card for 830 South Michigan Hotel, 1955
Business card advertising 830 South Michigan Hotel, with 1955 calendar on reverse; 1p.
Business Card for Harry Holmok of Bellevue Café Casino, Montreal, c1951
Business card for H[arry] Holmok of Bellevue Café Casino, Montreal; 1p.
Business Card for J Saks, c1950 - 1955
Business card for J Saks, impresario, Amsterdam; 1p.
Business Card for Marino Brandolini, Monte Carlo Motel, Las Vegas, c1949 - 1957
Business card for Marino Brandolini, Monte Carlo Motel, Las Vegas; 1p.
Business card for Roberto Rea, Fedrazione Pugilistica Italiana, c1968 - 1994
Business card for Roberto Rea of Federazione Pugilistica Italiana [Italian Boxing Federation]; 1p.
Business Card of Photographer Carl Norman, c1986 - 1994
Paper business card for the photographer Carl Norman [Denver], with handwritten phone number and address for Carlos Norman on the reverse; 1p.
Business Cards for the Knife Throwing Denvers, New York, c1951 - 1957
Business cards for the Knife Throwing Denvers of Maddison Avenue, New York; 4pp.
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.
Carl Denver Photography Business Card, c1986 - 1994
Small printed card for Carl Denver Photography, Leeds; 1p.
Certificate or Form Issued by Asociación Cubana [de Artistas Teatrales,] Cinematográficos, Radiofó[nicos y de Circo], c1956
Half of an undated form or certificate issued by Asociación Cubana [de Artistas Teatrales,] Cinematográficos, Radiofó[nicos y de Circo] [translation: Cuban Association of Theatrical, Cinematographic, Radiophonic and Circus Artists]
Cheque Payable to E Norman, signed by Hal Denver, 2 April 1955
Westminster Bank cheque for £4.0.0, dated 2 April 1955, payable to E[lla] Norman and signed by Hal Denver.