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:
Newspaper Cutting of Hal and Olga Denver, c1948 - 1968
Undated cutting from unknown newspaper featuring photograph of Hal and Olga Denver, entitled ‘Knife-Throwing Couple’s Nerve: For the First Time His Skill Skipped.’
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).
Newspaper Cuttings Collage, 1948
Collage of photocopied newspaper cuttings mounted on a board. Includes three newspaper cuttings, illustrated by black and white photographs, relating to an accident involving Ella Denver, who was hit by a knife during a knife throwing performance with her husband, Hal Denver (aka Ralph Norman).
Norman Family Collection
Norman Family Photographs, c1900 - 1994
Note of Gratitude, c1970 - 1990
Note concerning generosity of writer’s brother, typescript, 1p.
Note of Synopsis of Hatchet Man, c1970 - 1990
Note of synopsis of ‘Hatchet Man’ by Hal Denver; typescript, 1p.
Note Regarding Discharge of Maintenance of Wife, c1955
Sheet of blue notepaper headed ‘Hal Denver Productions,’ with the front blank, and the reverse headed, ‘Discharge of maintenance of wife’. Handwritten note of meeting in chambers between Ralph Norman, Ella Norman, and Burrell on 2 June 1955 in which the order for maintenance is discharged with effect from 2 June 1955; manuscript, 1p.
Notebooks, c1940 - 1994
Notebooks kept by of Ralph Norman (aka Hal Denver).
Notes on Clarendon House, c1970 - 1990
Notes on work done on Clarendon House [Hotel, Leeds], typescript, 1p.
Notes on ‘The Giraffe Neck Woman’ Kayan Lahwi Woman, c1900 - 1960
Brown envelope, opened out, with typed notes for a stage routine and hand-written additions to script. Diagram on reverse: Giraffe 3’, Totem pole 2’6”, 1/2 also Venus, Headless 3’, Decapitation 3’, pincushion [sic] 2’6” app, spider 2’6” approx, typescript and manuscript, 2pp.
Novelty Packet of Grass Seeds for the Original Paddy O'Hair, c1950 - 1970
Novelty packet of grass seeds labelled 'The Original Paddy O'Hair'; 1p.
Novelty Paper Dancer Toy, c1930 - 1994
Novelty small paper folder with separate silhouette dancer inside and instructions for making the dancer ‘dance’; 1p.
Obituaries, Birth and Marriage Certificates, 1925 - 1989
Material relating to the funerals of members of the Norman family, as well as copies of birth and marriage certificates of Ralph Norman (aka Hal Denver).
Offer of Contract for Performance at Granville Theatre, Fulham, 15 April 1969
Offer of contract dated from Central Office of Information to Hal and Olga Denver for performance at Granville Theatre, Fulham, on 17 April 1969; typescript, 1p.
Official Programme Inter-State Rodeo, 30 August - 2 September 1956
Printed programme for an Inter-State Rodeo, which was held at held at Walter Johnson Memorial Park, Coffeyville, Kansas. The Denvers' performed at this event (Event No. 10 on 2 September 1956). Colour illustration of a cowboy riding a bucking horse on the front cover, black text inside and illustrated with black and white photographs, and middle page includes a colour advertisement for Coca-Cola, 8pp.
Oklahoma Free State Fair Muskogee Badge, c1950 - 1970
Metal badge inscribed 'Attractions', with a blue ribbon attached with the words: 'Oklahoma Free State Fair - Muskogee'.
One Green One-Pound Note (Stage Money?), c1930 - 1985
One green one-pound note [presumed to be stage money], 1p.
Order of Service for the Funeral of Arthur Van Norman, 7 April 1987
Order of service for the funeral of Arthur van Norman, at St Mary’s Church, Southtown, Great Yarmouth, on Tuesday 7 April 1987, who died on 30 March 1987; typescript, 2pp.
Page of Six Illustrations of Women to be Used as Transfers to the Outside of Drinking Glasses, c1950 - 1994
Page of six illustrations of women in various costumes, to be used as transfers onto the outside of drinking glasses; illustrated, 1p.