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:
Norman Family Collection
Programmes, c1800 - 2019
A collection of mainly British and international circus programmes and some variety and music hall programmes containing circus acts.
Programmes, 1932 - 1960
Show and event programmes featuring performances by Ralph Norman (aka Hal Denver) and his wife, Olga Norman, who performed a knife throwing act together, often known as The Sensational Denvers.
Ray Rogers Circus and Wild West Programme, c1940 - 1950
Programme for Ray Rogers Circus and Wild West, with the Sensational Denvers last on the bill; 1p.
Royal South African Circus Wild West and Variety Roundup Programme, c1940 - 1947
Single folded sheet programme for ‘the Royal South African Circus Wild West & Variety Roundup' (no date or location given), with the Denvers listed eighteenth of eighteen acts; back page photograph is of a dark-haired woman [Hal Denver’s partner?] leaning against a board surrounded by thrown knives.
Trade and Advertising Material, c1948 - 1966
Advertising material directly and indirectly related to the performance work of Ralph Norman (aka Hal Denver), and his wife, Olga Norman, who had a knife throwing act together, often known as The Sensational Denvers.
Various Material, c1930 - 1994
Miscellaneous documents and objects, compiled primarily by Ralph Norman (aka Hal Denver). Including travel ephemera (such as luggage tags, notepaper, postcards, and tickets), business cards; advertisements; and some personal documentation, as well as a set of throwing knifes and cowboy costumes worn on stage by Ralph Norman, and his assistant, Olga.
Weinberg's Western Wear, Coffeyville, Kansas Catalogue Number Nine, 1956
Printed catalogue listing western style clothes and cowboy boots, supplied by Weinberg's Western Wear, Coffeyville Kansas (aka Home of Famous Western Brands). Catalogue Number Nine. Spring and Summer 1956. This catalogue formerly belonged to Hal Denver (aka Ralph Norman).