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:
Letter Expressing Hope for US Visit, 23 July 1959
Letter from Robert Brenner of Music Corporation of America to Hal Denver expressing hope of bringing the Denvers back to the United States; typescript, 1p.
Letter From George Norman to his Brother Ralph Norman, c1951 - 1993
Undated handwritten letter to 'Dear Ralph' from 'George,' with typed note at top reading, 'My brother's address is 8 Streatham Vale, London SW16 George Norman (Antique Shop),' and 'Ralph Norman written below this in blue ballpoint pen; manuscript, 1p.
Letter From Jack Desmonde Praising the Denvers' Act, c1947 - 1956
Undated letter from Jack Desmonde to Hal Denver and his wife, comparing their act favourably with others; manuscript, 1p.
Letter From Mother Regarding Distribution of Money and Property After Death, 24 January 1937
Handwritten letter ‘To my family’ signed ‘Mother’ [Amy Noakes, née Rayner] mentioning money and property to be distributed after her death, and naming Tom, Jack, Nellie, Hilda, Amy and George; manuscript (likely a photocopy), 2pp.
Letter from Music Corporation of America Regarding Australia, 8 April 1957
Letter from Robert Brenner of Music Corporation of America to the Denvers concerning Australia; typescript, 1p.
Letter from Music Corporation of America Regarding Petition to Work, 6 July 1955
Letter from Vincent J Connelly of Music Corporation of America Artists, New York, to Mr and Mrs H Denver concerning a petition to work to the Department of Justice, Immigration and Naturalization Service; typescript, 1p.
Letter from Norman Payne of Music Corporation of America, 8 May 1953
Letter from Norman Payne of Music Corporation of America to Hal Denver; typescript, 1p.
Letter From Ralph Norman to George Regarding the 'Mail Saga', c1992
Undated letter written on the back of a magazine sheet with photographs of the Denvers’ act, sent from Theatre Workshop, Leeds, written to ‘Dear George’ and signed ‘Ralph’, saying that the writer [Ralph Norman] is sending the ‘Mail saga'; manuscript, 1p.
Letter From Ralph Norman to Olga, c1947 - 1950
Undated letter to ‘Dear Olga’ signed ‘Ralph,’ from 51 Blenheim Gardens, Monday; manuscript, 1p..
Letter From Stanley W Wathon to the Denvers in Munich, 9 November 1952
Air-letter stamped 9 November 1952, Flushing NYS, from Stanley W Wathon to the Denvers at Excelsior Hotel, Schuetzen Strasse, Munich, and forwarded to them at 51 Blenheim Gardens, Brixton; typescript, 1p.
Letter from the BBC Regarding Stunts by Brian Johnston in 'In Town Tonight', 19 July 1977
Letter from V. M. Schuck at the BBC to Mr R Norman concerning Brian Johnston’s stunts in ‘In Town Tonight’ [a BBC radio chat show programme]; typescript, 1p.
Letter from the Denvers Regarding Petition to Work, 22 June 1955
Letter from the Denvers to Music Corporation of America concerning the need for a petition to enable them to work in the United States; typescript, 1p.
Letter from the Mail on Sunday, Returning Materials to Hal Denver, 11 December 1992
Letter from P Day, deputy news editor of the Mail on Sunday, returning the materials sent by Hal Denver; typescript, 1p.
Letter from United Writers Publications Ltd, 24 November 1993
Letter from United Writers Publications Ltd to Mr Denver concerning their publication policy and marketing strategy; typescript 2pp.
Letter Praising the Denvers' Act and Requesting a Photograph, c1947 - 1970
Undated letter from Vera Dewhurst of Blackpool, praising the Denvers’ act and asking for a photograph of them; manuscript, 2pp.
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 a Letter From Hal Denver to the Mail on Sunday, 7 September 1992
Letter typed on paper headed ‘Associated Newspapers Ltd,’ from Sir David English to Hal Denver, thanking him for his letter and its contents, and saying that he has passed both to Jonathan Holborow, editor of the Mail on Sunday; manuscript, 1p.
Letter Regarding Alleged Breach of Contract by the Denvers, 22 April 1954
Letter from Reggie Dennis, Queens Theatre, Blackpool, to Ralph and Olga Denver concerning alleged breach of contract by the Denvers; typescript, 1p.