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:
American Guild of Variety Artists Contract for an Engagement at Bellevue Café Casino, 4 April 1951
American Guild of Variety Artists contract for the Denvers to appear at Bellevue Café Casino, Montreal, from 26 July 1951 for two weeks; typescript, 1p.
American Guild of Variety Artists Health Plan Identification Card, c1951 - 1956
American Guild of Variety Artists health plan identification card issued to Hal Denver, who has a New York contact address and phone number; 1p.
American Guild of Variety Artists Honourable Withdrawal Card, 2 January 1957
Honourable withdrawal card issued to Hal Denver by the American Guild of Variety Artists.
American Guild of Variety Artists Membership Card, 1956
American Guild of Variety Artists membership card, made out to Hal Denver; folded, 1p.
Antonuchi's Chihuahuas Script, c1957 - 1970
Script annotated by hand, typescript, 2pp.
Antonuchi's Chihuahuas Script, c1957 - 1970
Script annotated by hand, 'Working script, 1a, The Davos,' typescript, 7pp.
Application Form for Membership of American Federation of Television and Radio Artists, September 1955
Partially completed application form for membership of American Federation of Television and Radio Artists, with typed caption ‘Steve Allen Show 9/1/55’ and Hal Denver’s name typed in as applicant; typescript, 1p.
Arthur van Norman: Prince of Clowns Biography, July 1989
Biographical sheet signed VH, typescript, 1p.
Ashwell Fete and Flower Show Programme, August 1932
Programme for Ashwell Fete and Flower Show, August Bank Holiday 1932, with Hal Norman listed on the back page as one of the acts, 2pp.
Asociación Cubana de Artistas Work Permit, 1956
Artist's work permit issued to Hal Denver by Asociación Cubana de Artist[as], Havana, Cuba; includes photograph, folded, 1p.
Audio Material, c1980 - 1994
Audio recordings concerning the life and career of knife thrower, Ralph Norman (aka Hal Denver).
Belle Vue Grand Victory Circus Programme, 1945 - 1946
Manchester. Three fold programme with colour illustration of two laughing clowns on top section, red and black in the centre and other circus acts on bottom section including animal trainer and equestrian act on a yellow background on the front cover, inside programme, black and white photographs of performers inclusing Hal Denver with text and red and black illustrations of circus acts on a yellow background on the right and bottom sections.
Belle Vue Programmes, c1900 - 1999
Belle Vue Circus programmes.
Bernard M. Wooley Ltd Theatrical and Variety Agents Syllabus of Attractions, 1951
Bill for 'The Hollywood Chihuahua Family', c1957 - 1970
Part of a long pasted bill advertising ‘The Hollywood Chihuahua Family’, likely advertising Olga Denver's performing chihuahua's act, 1p.
Bioscope Monograph, c1890 - 1910
Early bioscope or picture shows description on paper with leather-style backing, typescript, 1p.
Booklets for 7 Club in Club de L'Etoille, The Hague, c1955
Four booklets for the 7 Club in Club de L’Etoile, den Haag [the Hague, Netherlands], advertising acts, with the Sensational Denvers featured on the last inside page; illustrated, 6pp.
British Actors Equity Association Receipt, 31 December 1992
Receipt issued to Hal Denver (aka Ralph Norman) on the payment of his subscription to the British Actors Equity Association.
British Postal Order for Miss Norman, 6 December 1963
British postal order for six shillings payable to Miss Norman; 1p.
Business Card for 830 South Michigan Hotel, 1955
Business card advertising 830 South Michigan Hotel, with 1955 calendar on reverse; 1p.