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 28 Collections and/or Records:
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
Croydon Advertiser and Surrey County Register Newspaper Cutting About a Wild West Show, 12 September 1932
Newspaper cutting from the Croydon Advertiser and Surrey County Register of an advertisement for a Wild West Show at Kennards, featuring Two-gun Rix, 'a Croydon Man who emigrated many years ago to the US.'
Envelope of Press Cuttings About the Norman Family, c1932 - 1994
Four Handbills for Ray Roger's Circus and Wild West Show, c1940 - 1950
Four handbills, advertising an engagement of the Knife Throwing Denvers by Gainsboro [Gainsborough?] Film Studios, to impale Jack Hulbert and Gordon Harker to the wall at Ray Roger’s Circus and Wild West Show; typescript, 4pp.
Further Letter Regarding Wild West Shows, 27 May 1993
Letter from John M Hall to Hal Denver, concerning Wild West shows; manuscript, 1p.
Hal Denver's Cowboy Hat and Boots, c1950 - 1960
White leather cowboy boots and a black cowboy hat, worn on stage by knife thrower, Hal Denver of The Sensational Denvers (aka Ralph Norman).
Hal Denver's Cowboy Jacket, Trousers and Belts, c1950 - 1960
Male cowboy costume (cream with green decorations), including a jacket and a pair of trousers, two decorative belts, and two neckties, worn by the knife thrower, Hal Denver of The Sensational Denvers (aka Ralph Norman).
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 Denver's Cowboy Shirt, Trousers and Belts, c1950 - 1960
Male cowboy costume, including a shirt, pair of trousers and a decorative belt, worn by Hal Denver of The Sensational Denvers (aka Ralph Norman).
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.
Jumbo Catalogue 55: Saddles and Accessories Schollkoft Company, Dallas, Texas, 1955
Printed catalogue listing saddles and equestrian accessories, supplied by the Schoellkopf Company of Dallas, Texas. Also includes a typescript price list for 1955. This catalogue formerly belonged to Hal Denver (aka Ralph Norman).
Letter Referencing a Book on Tex McLeod, the Testers, and Trick Riders, 21 July 1992
Letter from John M Hall to Hal Denver, concerning Wild West shows, referring to the writer’s book on Tex McLeod, the Testers, trick riders; manuscript, 1p.
Letter Referencing Tom Mix and Tom Arnold's Harringay Rodeo 'Texas', 30 January 1992
Letter from John M Hall to Hal Denver, concerning Wild West shows and referring to Tom Mix, and the Tom Arnold Harringay Rodeo ‘Texas’; manuscript, 1p.
Letter Referencing Tom Mix, Tex McLeod, Roping, and Jack Carson, 6 February 1992
Letter from John M Hall to Hal Denver, concerning Wild West shows, referring to Tom Mix, Tex McLeod, roping, and Jack Carson; manuscript, 1p.
Letter Regarding Royal South African Circus and Wild West Shows, 13 December 1991
Letter from John M Hall to Hal Denver, concerning Royal South African Circus and Wild West shows; manuscript, 1p.
Letter Regarding Wild West Shows, 11 May 1993
Letter from John M Hall to Hal Denver, concerning Wild West shows; manuscript, 1p.
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).