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:
Hailsham Gala Programme, 10 June - 15 September 1960
Printed programme for Hailsham Gala. The middle page of the programme includes an advertisement for The Sensational Denvers', who performed at the event titled, 'The Knife Throwing Denvers: Rope Spinning, Bullwhips, Knife and Hatchet Throwing, Flaming Torches' (Red text and photograph on cream background). There is also a photograph of Olga Denver on the front cover of the programme (Red photograph on a yellow background). Blue and red text inside, 60pp.
Hal Denver's Cowboy Shirt and Trousers, c1950 - 1960
Male cowboy costume (cream with red decorations), including a shirt and pair of trousers, worn by the knife thrower, Hal Denver of The Sensational Denvers (aka Ralph Norman). Accompanied by one female costume comprising a golden sequined bra and mini skirt with tassels, possibly worn by Hal Denver's assistant, Olga Denver.
Hal's Hot Stuff Newspaper Cutting from Weekend, 20 - 24 November 1957
Newspaper cutting of a double spread colour feature, from Weekend, entitled ‘Hal’s Hot Stuff’, on Hal & Olga Denver’s act; four colour photographs.
Handbill for Empire Theatre, Swansea, 8 March 1954
Handbill for Empire Swansea, on Monday 8 March [no year given; likely 1954], with the Famous Knife Throwing Denvers on the bill.
Handbill for New Cross Empire, 13 September 1937
Small handbill, torn in half, for New Cross Empire, 13 September 1937, with the Knife Throwing Denvers on the bill; typescript, 1p.
Handbill for the Palace, Grimsby, 3 May 1954
Handbill for the Palace, Grimsby, 3 May 1954, with the Knife Throwing Denvers on the bill; typescript, 1p.
Handbill for the Palace Leicester, c1954
Bill for the Palace, Leicester, week beginning 26 July 1954, with the knife-throwing Denvers on the bill; yellow and black print on white background, 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.
Magazine 'AM, 6 October 1953
Copy of Magazine 'AM. Cover missing. Includes an article on Olga Denver and her role in the knife throwing act performed by her and her partner, Hal Denver, illustrated with three colour photographs, titled 'Hatchet Girl' on page 11.
Manuscript Notes, c1940 - 1960
Typescript account beginning, 'Daiquiris, Hemmingway's fav[ourite] bevy…', thought to be written by Ralph Norman (aka Hal Denver). Includes descriptions of a visit to Cuba. Accompanied by a photocopy of a photograph of Hal and Olga Denver wearing Cuban style outfits, 2pp.
Margaret Olga Frei Certified Copy of an Entry of Birth, 19 July 1961
Certified copy of an entry of birth for Margaret Olga Frei, born on 25 October 1929, daughter of Hans Frei, hotel waiter, and Ethel Frei (formerly Spencer), registered in Leeds. Annotated with a manuscript note in pencil that reads: 'Married march 2nd 1953 when Olga was 23. I was 43. 25 anniversary next March', written in the hand of Ralph Norman (aka Hal Denver).
Memphis on Mississippi: Souvenir Programme, 21 - 26 September 1956
Printed souvenir programme, advertising exhibitions, attractions, acts and contests, for the Mid South Fair Centennial. The Sensational Denvers', performed three shows daily as part of the Riverboat Follies (See pages 38-39). Blue cover with black, white, yellow and red illustrations and text, black text inside, and illustrated with black and white photographs, 66pp.
Mid-South Fair Centennial Souvenir Programme, September 1956
Mid-South Fair Centennial 21-29 September 1956 fold out souvenir programme, with the Denvers mentioned as part of Entertainment in Riverboat Follies; 5pp.
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.
Muskogee Daily Phoenix Newspaper Cutting About the Denvers, 22 September 1955
Newspaper cutting from the Muskogee Daily Phoenix of a short article entitled 'Fearless Femme,' with a photograph of the Denvers on stage.
Newspaper Article About Marion Duck Visiting Her Relatives George and Brenda Norman, 26 August 1983
Outer page of The Streatham News, with an article on page sixty about the return of Marion Duck to visit her relatives George and Brenda Norman.
Newspaper Cutting Advertising the Denvers' Act, c1953 - 1957
Undated newspaper cutting from an unknown newspaper featuring an advert for The Denvers in the United States of America and inviting bookings for their return to the United Kingdom.
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 Cutting from the Performer Advertising the Denvers, 29 July 1948
Newspaper cutting from ‘The Performer’ advertising the availability of the Knife-Throwing Denvers in the near future, featuring headlines from recent newspapers which refer to an accident to Ella Denver during the act; includes a photograph..
Newspaper Cutting of Hal and Olga Denver, c1948 - 1968
Undated cutting from unknown newspaper featuring photograph of Hal and Olga Denver, entitled ‘Knife-Throwing Couple’s Nerve: For the First Time His Skill Skipped.’