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 152 Collections and/or Records:
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, Commission Note, and Covering Letter for Teatro Foro Italico Rome Appearance, 28 December 1954
i) Signed agreement between Radiotelevisione Italiana and the Knife Throwing Denvers to appear at Teatro Foro Italico Rome on 6 January 1955, ii) commission note to pay Lew and Leslie Grade ten percent of the 125,000 Lire salary for that appearance, and iii) a covering letter from Lew Grade to “Dear Friends”; typescript, 3pp.
Agreement for an Engagement at Earle Theatre, Philadelphia, 22 January 1952
Agreement between Warner Bros and the Denvers, to appear at Earle Theatre, Philadelphia, for seven days from 7 March 1952; typescript, 1p.
Agreement for an Engagement at Hotel Sahara, Las Vegas, 1 May 1956
Music Corporation of America agreement between Hotel Sahara, Las Vegas, and the Sensational Denvers, forty-two performances from 23 October 1956; typescript, 1p.
Agreement for an Engagement at South Louisiana State Fair, Donaldsonville, 4 October 1955
Music Corporation of America agreement for The Denvers to appear at South Louisiana State Fair, Donaldsonville, for three shows on 7, 8, and 9 October 1955; typescript, 1p.
Agreement for an Engagement at the Carnival Room, Capitol Hotel, New York, 22 January 1952
Music Corporation of America agreement between General Electric Co and the Sensational Denvers, to appear at the Carnival Room, Capitol Hotel, New York City for one show on 6 February 1952; typescript, 1p.
Agreement for an Engagement at the Naval Training Station, Newport Rhode Island, 23 April 1952
Music Corporation of America agreement between Tex Beneke and Orchestra and the Denvers, to appear at the Naval Training Station, Newport Rhode Island on 28 April 1952, plus rider; typescript, 2pp.
Agreement for an Engagement at Vagabond's Club, Miami, Florida, April - May 1956
Music Corporation of America agreement between Vagabonds inc and the Denvers, to do twelve performances at Vagabond’s Club, Miami, from 31 May 1956; typescript, 1p.
Agreement for an Engagement Made Between Tom Arnold Limited and the Denvers, 9 June 1952
Confirmation agreement made 9 June 1952 between Tom Arnold Limited and the Sensational Denvers, to appear from 26 July 1952 for at least four weeks (venue not recorded); typescript, 2pp.
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].
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.
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.
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.
British Postal Order for Miss Norman, 6 December 1963
British postal order for six shillings payable to Miss Norman; 1p.
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.
Cheque Statements from Sahara Casinos Co, 29 October - 12 November 1956
Three cheque statements (tear-off slips) from Sahara Casinos Co, recording cheques of $765 each on 29 October 1956, 5 November 1956 and 12 November 1956; 3pp.
Cleveland News Newspaper Cutting About 'Olga the Ax-Dodger', 18 March 1952
Newspaper cutting from the Cleveland News entitled ‘Olga the Ax-dodger.’
Commission Note and Form of Engagement for the Saturday Spectacular, c1958 - 1960
Commission note (i) and Form of Engagement, part 1 (ii) and part 2 (iii) for Lew and Leslie Grade, for the television ‘Saturday Spectacular’ on 18 July 1959 engagement; typescript, 3pp.