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:
Envelope Headed Lew & Leslie Grade Ltd, 15 July 1959
Envelope headed ‘Lew & Leslie Grade Ltd,’ addressed to: The Denvers, 98 Clapham Park Rd, London SW4; postmarked 15 July 1959, typescript, 1p.
Envelope of Press Cuttings About the Norman Family, c1932 - 1994
Envelope of Press Cuttings About the Norman Family, c1925 - 1993
Envelope of Press Cuttings About the Norman Family's Lives and Careers, c1946 - 2000
Envelope of Press Cuttings from the 1950s Relating to the Norman Family, 8 June 1950 - 25 September 1955
Envelope of Press Cuttings Primarily About the Denvers' Act, c1933 - 1974
Envelope of Press Cuttings Relating to the Norman Family, c1950 - 1994
Fabulous Vas Vegas Magazine, 27 October 1956
Two copies of Fabulous Las Vagas Magazine, which includes an advertisement for an event that featured The Sensational Denvers at Hotel Sahara, Vas Vegas, Nevada (Page 3) and a short article describing the their knife throwing act (Page 26). Purple cover with white text, illustrated with a black and white photograph of a woman in a bikini, with black text inside, and black and white illustrations and photographs, 44pp.
Fabulous Vas Vegas Magazine, 3 November 1956
Two copies of Fabulous Las Vagas Magazine, which includes an advertisement for an event that featured The Sensational Denvers at Hotel Sahara, Vas Vegas, Nevada (Page 3) and a short article describing the their knife throwing act (Page 26). Purple cover with white text, illustrated with a black and white photograph of a woman in a bikini, with black text inside, and black and white illustrations and photographs, 44pp.
Form Regarding Two Counts of Having Possession of a Firearm Contrary to Sections 1(1) and 21(1) and (4) of the Firearms Act 1968, 18 May 1978
Form issued on Thursday 18 May 1978 at 10 am, by E Wallace of West London Magistrates Court, concerning two counts of having possession of a firearm contrary to section 1(1) and sections 21(1) and (4) of the Firearms Act 1968 (no further details provided); 1p.
Four Handbills for Ray Roger's Circus and Wild West Show, c1940 - 1950
Four handbills, advertising an engagement of the Knife Throwing Denvers by Gainsboro [Gainsborough?] Film Studios, to impale Jack Hulbert and Gordon Harker to the wall at Ray Roger’s Circus and Wild West Show; typescript, 4pp.
Front Sheet of Troy (Ohio) Daily News, 8 September 1956
Single front sheet of the Troy [Ohio] Daily News, with no apparent connection to the Denvers.
Further Letter Regarding Wild West Shows, 27 May 1993
Letter from John M Hall to Hal Denver, concerning Wild West shows; manuscript, 1p.
Garforth House Junior Amusement Gardens Poster, c1958 - 1962
Golden Nugget Gambling Hall Gaming Guide, 1949
Gaming guide produced by the Golden Nugget Gambling Hall, Las Vegas; illustrated, 16pp.
Greek Line Luggage Label, c1939 - 1975
Luggage label for Greek Line, shipping company; 1p
H Bar C Ranchwear Advertising Leaflet, c1950 - 1990
Advertising leaflet for H Bar C Ranchwear, presenting ‘The Lore of the West’, advertising clothes; folded, 1p.
Hailsham Gala Programme, 10 June - 15 September 1960
Printed programme for Hailsham Gala. The middle page of the programme includes an advertisement for The Sensational Denvers', who performed at the event titled, 'The Knife Throwing Denvers: Rope Spinning, Bullwhips, Knife and Hatchet Throwing, Flaming Torches' (Red text and photograph on cream background). There is also a photograph of Olga Denver on the front cover of the programme (Red photograph on a yellow background). Blue and red text inside, 60pp.
Hal Denver's Cowboy Hat and Boots, c1950 - 1960
White leather cowboy boots and a black cowboy hat, worn on stage by knife thrower, Hal Denver of The Sensational Denvers (aka Ralph Norman).
Hal Denver's Cowboy Jacket, Trousers and Belts, c1950 - 1960
Male cowboy costume (cream with green decorations), including a jacket and a pair of trousers, two decorative belts, and two neckties, worn by the knife thrower, Hal Denver of The Sensational Denvers (aka Ralph Norman).