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:
Ralph Norman Oral History Recording, c1980 - 1994
Cassette tape containing a recording of Ralph Norman (aka Hal Denver) speaking about his life and career as a knife thrower, and his travels in the United States of America.
Ralph Rudolf Norman Certified Copy of an Entry of Birth, 14 November 1950
Certified copy of an entry of birth for Ralph Rudolf Norman, born on 1 October 1909, son of Thomas Norman Noakes, auctioneer, and Any Noakes (formerly Rayner) registered at St. George the Martyr West in Southwark, London.
Ralph Rudolf Norman Certified Copy of an Entry of Birth, 28 June 1961
Certified copy of an entry of birth for Ralph Rudolf Norman, born on 1 October 1909, son of Thomas Norman Noakes, auctioneer, and Any Noakes (formerly Rayner) registered at St. George the Martyr West in Southwark, London.
Ralph Rudolf Norman Certified Copy of an Entry of Birth, 28 June 1961
Certified copy of an entry of birth for Ralph Rudolf Norman, born on 1 October 1909, son of Thomas Norman Noakes, auctioneer, and Any Noakes (formerly Rayner) registered at St. George the Martyr West in Southwark, London. Found with manuscript note that reads: 'For professional purposes I dropped 'Noakes' from my name about 50 years ago', thought to be written in the hand of Ralph Norman (aka Hal Denver).
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.
Reader's Assessment Report of Hatchet Man Book, 7 February 1978
Reader’s assessment report of ‘Hatchet man’ (favourable pre-publication assessment of book) (i), plus notes (ii); typescript, 2pp.
Receipt for Firearms Certificate Issued to Ralph Norman, 6 January 1965
Receipt for Firearms Certificate issued to Ralph Norman by Leeds City Police; 1p.
Receipt for Rig and Saddle from Schoellkopf Co, Dallas, Texas, 10 October 1956
Receipt for rig and saddle to R[alph] Denver from the Schoellkopf Co, Dallas, Texas; 1p.
Receipt from Lew and Leslie Grade, 11 January 1955
Receipt from Lew and Leslie Grade of Regent Street, London, for £7 received from the Denvers marked '10% re Italy'; 1p.
Receipt from Music Corporation of America to the Denvers, 29 June 1956
Receipt dated 29 June 1956, signed by Bill B------, MCA, made out to the Denvers for Comm Cuba for $78.
Republic of Cuba Tourist Card Issued to Ralph Norman, 18 June 1956
Tourist card issued to Ralph Norman by the Republic of Cuba, valid for two years, found inside a booklet for the 7 Club; 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.
Sayings of Confucious Wise of Otherwise Poster, c1952 - 1962
Poster produced by unknown, titled 'Sayings of Confucius Wise or Otherwise'. Black text on cream background, illustrated with a cartoon of two performers in 'blackface', 1p.
Season's Greetings Postcard, 21 December 1956
Personalised postcard from Stanley W Wathon, New York, to Hal and Olga Denver, sending season’s greetings; illustrated, 1p.
Set of Throwing Knives, c1930 - 1994
Nineteen heavy knives with metal blade and turned wooden handle.
Showmen's Guild Membership Card, 1974
Membership card issued to R. Norman (Membership No. E203) by the Showmen's Guild.
Social Security Account Number for Hal Denver, c1951 - 1994
Social security account number for Hal Denver [undated, for United States?]; 1p.
Solicitors' Letter Concerning the Sale of Garforth House, 19 September 1985
Letter from Bromley & Walker, solicitors, to Ralph Norman, concerning the sale of Garforth House, Leeds; typescript, 1p.
Solicitors' Letter Concerning the Sale of Garforth House and Removal of Caravan, 2 May 1986
Letter from Bromley & Walker, solicitors, to Ralph Norman, concerning the sale of Garforth House and the removal of the caravan from the grounds; typescript, 1p.
Solicitors' Letter Regarding Correspondence From the Solicitors of Penman Literary Service, 5 March 1986
Letter from F Brearley of Bromley & Walker, solicitors, to Mr Ralph Norman concerning a letter from the solicitors of Penman Literary Service; typescript, 1p.