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 62 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.
Agreement Between Reggie Dennis and the Denvers, 9 May 1953
Agreement between Reggie Dennis and the Denvers to appear ‘as required’ on or about 13 July 1953; typescript, 1p.
Amateur Photographer Magazine Article About Belle Vue Gardens, Manchester, c1936 - 1946
Pages 75 - 76 of Amateur Photographer magazine (undated), from the ‘Miniature Camera Gossip’ column by Lancelot Vining, describing a day at Belle Vue Gardens, Manchester, visiting the circus, with a picture of Hal Denver and his human target, Ella [Denver].
Bernard M. Wooley Ltd Theatrical and Variety Agents Syllabus of Attractions, 1951
Bill for 'The Hollywood Chihuahua Family', c1957 - 1970
Part of a long pasted bill advertising ‘The Hollywood Chihuahua Family’, likely advertising Olga Denver's performing chihuahua's act, 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.
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
Cleveland News Newspaper Cutting About 'Olga the Ax-Dodger', 18 March 1952
Newspaper cutting from the Cleveland News entitled ‘Olga the Ax-dodger.’
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.
Daily Sketch Newspaper Article About the Denvers, 26 June 1957
Pages 5 - 6 of the Daily Sketch; article entitled 'Knife Thrower Won't Risk Wife for Less than £400,' with picture of Hal and Olga Denver and poodle.
Denvers' Knives Sharp: So Is Entire Home Show Newspaper Cutting, 10 April 1952
Newspaper cutting from Duluth News Tribune in three pieces and stuck onto a piece of hotel stationery, entitled ‘Denvers' knives sharp: so is entire home show.’
Envelope of Press Cuttings About the Norman Family, c1932 - 1994
Envelope of Press Cuttings About the Norman Family, c1925 - 1993
Envelope of Press Cuttings About the Norman Family's Lives and Careers, c1946 - 2000
Envelope of Press Cuttings from the 1950s Relating to the Norman Family, 8 June 1950 - 25 September 1955
Envelope of Press Cuttings Primarily About the Denvers' Act, c1933 - 1974
Envelope of Press Cuttings Relating to the Norman Family, c1950 - 1994
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.