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 412 Collections and/or Records:
Internal Music Corporation of America Memorandum Advertising the Denvers, 21 December 1951
Music Corporation of America internal memorandum from Bobby Brenner at New York to All Men Coast to Coast, advertising The Denvers; typescript, 1p.
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).
Knife and Hatchet Man: A Beautiful Film Star Begs Me To Teach Her Knife-Throwing, c1985 - 1990
Draft typescript, with manuscript corrections and annotations, titled, 'A Beautiful Film Star Begs Me to Teach Her Knife-Throwing', written by Hal Denver (aka Ralph Denver). Includes detailed descriptions of the people he met and performances in the United States of America. Part of his memoir titled 'Knife and Hatchet Man', 15pp.
Knife and Hatchet Man: Ellis the Hangman, c1985 - 1990
Draft typescript, with manuscript corrections and annotations, titled 'Ellis the Hangman', written by Hal Denver (aka Ralph Norman). Includes an account of the executioner, John Ellis. Part of his memoir titled 'Knife and Hatchet Man', 2pp.
Knife and Hatchet Man Front Cover, c1985 - 1990
Front cover for a memoir titled, 'Knife and Hatchet Man' by Hal Denver (aka Ralph Norman). Accompanied by a photocopy of a photograph of Hal Denver.
Knife and Hatchet Man: Harem, c1985 - 1990
Draft typescript, with manuscript corrections and annotations, titled 'Memphis Centennial', written by Hal Denver (aka Ralph Norman). Includes detailed descriptions of his impressions of Harlem in New York, United States of America. Part of his memoir titled 'Knife and Hatchet Man', 6pp.
Knife and Hatchet Man: In Trouble with the Vatican, c1985 - 1990
Draft typescript, with manuscript corrections and annotations, titled 'Memphis Centennial', written by Hal Denver (aka Ralph Norman). Includes detailed descriptions of his time performing as a knife thrower in Rome, Italy after the Second World War. Accompanied by further draft typescript notes possibly also for inclusion in his memoir titled, 'Knife and Hatchet Man', 13pp.
Knife and Hatchet Man: Memphis Centennial, c1985 - 1990
Draft typescript, with manuscript corrections and annotations, titled 'Memphis Centennial', written by Hal Denver (aka Ralph Norman). Includes detailed descriptions of his meeting Elvis Presley, and his experiences of being a knife thrower, travelling with different variety acts in Britain and his first crossing to the United States of America. Part of his memoir titled 'Knife and Hatchet Man', 17pp.
Knife and Hatchet Man: The Human Ostrich, c1985 - 1990
Draft typescript, with manuscript corrections and annotations, titled 'The Human Ostrich', written by Hal Denver (aka Ralph Norman). Includes an account of his career in the late 1970s. Part of his memoir titled 'Knife and Hatchet Man', 8pp.
Knife and Hatchet Man: The 'I'll Cry Tomorrow' Girl, c1985 - 1990
Draft typescript, with manuscript corrections and annotations, titled 'The 'I'll Cry Tomorrow' Girl', written by Hal Denver (aka Ralph Norman). Includes descriptions of his experiences of working with the American actor and singer, Lillian Roth. Part of his memoir titled 'Knife and Hatchet Man', 3pp.
Knife and Hatchet Man: The Palace, New York, c1985 - 1990
Draft typescript, with manuscript corrections and annotations, titled 'Memphis Centennial', written by Hal Denver (aka Ralph Norman). Includes detailed descriptions of the people he met and his experiences performing as a knife thrower in New York, United States of America. Part of his memoir titled 'Knife and Hatchet Man', 6pp.
Knife and Hatchet Man: The Very First Olympic Circus, c1985 - 1990
Draft typescript, with manuscript corrections and annotations, titled, 'The Very First Olympic Circus', written by Hal Denver. Includes detailed descriptions of his childhood, early career as a showman, travelling and working with Mickey Rooney and Mamie van Doren, and a trip to Las Vegas, United States of America. Part of his memoir, 'Knife and Hatchet Man', 11pp.
Knife Throwing Publicity Leaflet, c1940 - 1960
A4 publicity leaflet, folded into three and printed on one side, headed ‘Dart Throwing dagger’ with instructions on knife-throwing, and the typed addition ‘Hal Denver Productions’ and a London address; illustrated, 1p.
La Societe d’Agriculture du Comte de Chicoutimi Membership Card, c1951
Membership card for La Societe d’Agriculture du Comte de Chicoutimi, for ‘Vandrille’, with handwritten address for Mrs Tovey on reverse; 1p.
Las Vegas Spotlite Advertising Booklet, 2 - 8 November 1956
‘Las Vegas Spotlite’ advertising booklet for 2 - 8 November 1956, listing shows, and hotels, with the Denvers listed under Sahara Hotel on page seventeen; illustrated, 12pp.
Las Vegas Spotlite Advertising Booklets, 9 - 15 November 1956
‘Las Vegas Spotlite’ advertising booklet for 9 - 15 November 1956, listing shows, and hotels, with the Denvers listed under Sahara Hotel on page seventeen; illustrated, each 12pp.
Letter Accompanying Contract for Pennsylvania Engagement, 12 August 1955
Letter from Eldred O Stacy of Music Corporation of America to Hal Denver to accompany the contract for an engagement in Erie, Pennsylvania; typescript, 1p.
Letter and Application Form for the Writer's Co-Operative, 5 November 1993
Letter from United Writers Publications Ltd to Mr Denver (i), plus application form for membership to the Writer’s Co-operative (ii); typescript, 2pp.
Letter Concerning the Granting of a Firearms Certificate, c1970 - 1990
Undated letter from West Yorkshire Metropolitan Police addressed 'Dear Sir,' concerning the 1968 Firearms Act and the granting of a firearms certificate; typescript, 1p.
Letter Enclosing Tickets for Passage to Southampton for Mr and Mrs Norman, c1950 - 1960
Letter from Virginia Allen of Fred L Haskett Travel Service to Mr Ralph Norman and Mrs Norman, enclosing tickets and luggage labels for passage on the Queen Mary to Southampton; typescript, 1p.