1905-06-16 Buenos Aires, Argentina
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia Barry Norton (born Alfredo Carlos Birabén; June 16, 1905 – August 24, 1956) was an Argentinian-American actor. He appeared in over 90 films, starting in silent films from 1925 until his death in 1956. He is perhaps best known for his role as Juan Harker in Universal Pictures' Spanish-language version of Drácula in 1931, the English language role of Jonathan Harker originated by David Manners. Arriving in Hollywood in the 1920s, Norton first appeared as an extra in The Black Pirate (1926) but was soon cast in Fox Films' The Lily that same year. His big break came when he was given the role of Pvt. "Mother's Boy" Lewisohn in What Price Glory?, which turned out to be a huge commercial success. He landed substantial roles in Legion of the Condemned and 4 Devils (both 1928), which were also very successful. His acting was well received by audiences and critics at the time, and during the silent era he avoided being typecast as a Latin lover. One theater owner in Golden City, Montana said, "[Norton] has as yet to show me a bad performance. There's a boy that is a 'natural'." In the early 1930s, Norton could still get leading roles in major films. Major Hollywood studios started producing alternate-language versions of their prestige productions, and he became one of dozens of Latino actors needed. Drácula was one of these films, but Norton also appeared in Spanish-language versions of Paramount on Parade (1930), The Benson Murder Case (1930), and The Criminal Code (1931). In a few cases, he appeared in both versions of a film. Examples include Storm Over the Andes (Spanish version: Alas sobre El Chaco), The Sea Fiend (El diablo del Mar), and Captain Calamity (El capitan Tormenta), the latter film reuniting him with Lupita Tovar, his romantic interest from Dracula. In addition to roles in Spanish-territory films, he had roles in numerous major films, usually playing sophisticated Europeans. With the decline in Spanish-language film production in Los Angeles, Norton's opportunities for leading roles became less and less frequent. Though he had a pleasing voice, his Argentine accent seemed incongruous with his appearance. According to some sources, he never mastered English very well. In 1933, he secured what would be his last important role, playing Jean Parker's Spanish fiancé in Frank Capra's Lady for a Day (1933). Although he would continue to work for another 15 years, Norton's last credited screen role would be Should Husbands Work? (1939). For the rest of his career, Norton continued to reside in Los Angeles and obtain small roles in films. Many films he appeared in are now considered to be classics.
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The Bronze Screen: 100 Years of the Latino Image in American Cinema | 2002-06-06 | |
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Written on the Wind | Courtroom Spectator (uncredited) | 1956-10-04 |
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Slightly Scarlet | 1956-02-29 | |
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Around the World in 80 Days | Extra (uncredited) | 1956-10-17 |
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Serenade | Party Guest (uncredited) | 1956-03-23 |
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It's Always Fair Weather | Nightclub Patron (uncredited) | 1955-08-30 |
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To Catch a Thief | Frenchman (uncredited) | 1955-08-03 |
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The Square Jungle | 1955-12-30 | |
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The Caine Mutiny | Ship's Officer (uncredited) | 1954-06-24 |
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A Star Is Born | Benefit Attendee (uncredited) | 1954-10-01 |
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Lucky Me | Diner / Party Guest (uncredited) | 1954-04-09 |
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White Christmas | Carousel Club Diner (uncredited) | 1954-10-14 |
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How to Marry a Millionaire | Plane Passenger (uncredited) | 1953-10-29 |
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The Jazz Singer | Nightclub Patron | 1953-02-14 |
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Small Town Girl | Party Guest | 1953-04-10 |
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Trouble Along the Way | Party Guest | 1953-04-04 |
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The Merry Widow | Club Patron (uncredited) | 1952-09-05 |
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Room for One More | Boy Scout Ceremony Attendee (uncredited) | 1952-01-10 |
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Something to Live For | Man in Tweeds (uncredited) | 1952-03-07 |
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Young Man with Ideas | Lawyer at Seminar (uncredited) | 1952-05-02 |
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Pat and Mike | Golf Spectator (uncredited) | 1952-06-13 |
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The Strange Door | 1951-10-31 | |
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Pier 23 | Waiter (uncredited) | 1951-05-11 |
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On the Riviera | Party Guest (uncredited) | 1951-04-20 |
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Strangers on a Train | Tennis Match Spectator (uncredited) | 1951-06-30 |
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Hollywood Story | Christmas Parade Spectator (uncredited) | 1951-06-01 |
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Mister 880 | Restaurant Diner (uncredited) | 1950-09-29 |
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The Toast of New Orleans | Restaurant Patron (uncredited) | 1950-08-24 |
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Young Man with a Horn | Man at Train Station / Café Guest (uncredited) | 1950-03-01 |
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Born to Be Bad | Charity Ball Guest (uncredited) | 1950-09-28 |
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Rocketship X-M | Reporter (uncredited) | 1950-06-02 |
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No Man of Her Own | Country Club Patron (uncredited) | 1950-02-21 |
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Johnny Allegro | 1949-05-26 | |
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East Side, West Side | Del Rio Club Patron (uncredited) | 1949-12-22 |
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The Big Clock | Man at Van Barth's (uncredited) | 1948-03-18 |
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An Innocent Affair | Rocket Roof Patron (uncredited) | 1948-10-15 |
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Easter Parade | Diner at Rooftop Show (uncredited) | 1948-07-08 |
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Monsieur Verdoux | Garden Party Guest (uncredited) | 1947-09-26 |
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The Gangster | Nightclub Patron (uncredited) | 1947-11-25 |
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Twilight on the Rio Grande | Rurale | 1947-03-31 |
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Variety Girl | Plane Passenger (uncredited) | 1947-08-29 |
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Devil Monster | Robert Jackson | 1946-06-29 |
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Without Reservations | Nightclub Patron (uncredited) | 1946-05-13 |
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Christmas in Connecticut | Restaurant Patron (uncredited) | 1945-07-27 |
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Maisie Goes to Reno | Nightclub Patron (Uncredited) | 1944-08-15 |
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Above Suspicion | German Cafe Patron (Uncredited) | 1943-05-31 |
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Keeper of the Flame | 1943-04-01 | |
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Mission to Moscow | Ball Guest (uncredited) | 1943-04-29 |
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Casablanca | Gambler at Rick's (uncredited) | 1943-01-15 |
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Blue, White, and Perfect | Man at Ship Dock (uncredited) | 1942-01-06 |
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The Falcon Takes Over | Nightclub Patron (Uncredited) | 1942-05-29 |
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The Big Street | Nightclub Patron (Uncredited) | 1942-08-13 |
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You Were Never Lovelier | One of Maria's Suitors (uncredited) | 1942-11-19 |
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Hellzapoppin' | Party Guest (uncredited) | 1941-12-25 |
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Niagara Falls | Hotel Guest (uncredited) | 1941-10-17 |
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Hold That Ghost | Club Patron (uncredited) | 1941-08-07 |
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Tom, Dick and Harry | Bowler (uncredited) | 1941-06-13 |
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Ziegfeld Girl | Palm Beach Casino Patron (uncredited) | 1941-04-25 |
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The Lady Eve | Passenger on Ship (uncredited) | 1941-02-25 |
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The Mexican Spitfire's Baby | Nightclub Patron | 1941-11-28 |
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Mexican Spitfire Out West | Hotel Guest | 1940-10-29 |
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Dance, Girl, Dance | Dissaproving Theatre Patron (uncredited) | 1940-08-30 |
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Down Argentine Way | Racetrack Spectator (uncredited) | 1940-10-11 |
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Christmas in July | Co-Worker in Office (uncredited) | 1940-10-25 |
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Second Fiddle | Nightclub Patron | 1939-06-30 |
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Should Husbands Work? | Ronald McDonald | 1939-07-26 |
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Angel of Mercy | President Garfield's Secretary (uncredited) | 1939-05-20 |
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The Buccaneer | Villere | 1938-02-04 |
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Rich Relations | Don Blair | 1937-02-01 |
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I'll Take Romance | Juan | 1937-11-17 |
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Captain Calamity | Carr | 1936-11-28 |
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Camille | Emile (uncredited) | 1936-12-26 |
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The Great Ziegfeld | Nightclub Patron (uncredited) | 1936-04-08 |
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The Sea Fiend | Robert Jackson | 1936-04-14 |
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Murder at Glen Athol | Tom Randel | 1936-02-27 |
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Woman Wanted | Nightclub Patron (uncredited) | 1935-08-02 |
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El Diablo del Mar | Roberto | 1935-12-12 |
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Storm Over the Andes | Diaz | 1935-04-01 |
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Unknown Blonde | Bob Parker | 1934-04-23 |
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The World Moves On | Jacques Girard (1924) | 1934-06-27 |
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Caravan | Young Officer at Beer Garden (Uncredited) | 1934-12-30 |
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Grand Canary | Robert Tranter | 1934-07-20 |
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Let’s Be Ritzy | Rogers | 1934-05-01 |
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Imitation of Life | Young Man Proposing Toast (uncredited) | 1934-11-23 |
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Only Yesterday | Jerry (Uncredited) | 1933-11-01 |
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Lady for a Day | Carlos | 1933-09-13 |
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Cocktail Hour | Philippe | 1933-06-05 |
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Luxury Liner | Prince Vladimir Gleboff | 1933-02-03 |
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Drácula | Juan Harker | 1931-03-01 |
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Dishonored | Young Lieutenant - Firing Squad | 1931-04-04 |
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Amor audaz | 1930-07-10 | |
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Cascarrabias | 1930-09-11 | |
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Oriente es Occidente | Billy Benson | 1930-11-30 |
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The Exalted Flapper | Prince Boris of Dacia | 1929-06-09 |
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Sins of the Fathers | Tom Spengler | 1928-12-28 |
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The Legion of the Condemned | Byron Dashwood | 1928-03-10 |
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Mother Knows Best | Boy | 1928-10-28 |
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Fleetwing | Jaafor | 1928-06-24 |
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The Red Dance | Rasputin's Assassin (uncredited) | 1928-12-02 |
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4 Devils | Adolf | 1928-10-03 |
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Ankles Preferred | Jimmy | 1927-02-27 |
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The Heart of Salome | Henri Bezanne | 1927-05-08 |
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The Wizard | Reginald Van Lear | 1927-11-27 |
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A Man About Town | Amos, a Centerville Clerk | 1927-05-15 |
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Sunrise: A Song of Two Humans | Ballroom Dancer / Kissing Couple (uncredited) | 1927-11-04 |
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The Canyon of Light | Ricardo Deane | 1926-12-05 |
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The Lily | Max de Maigny | 1926-10-03 |
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The Black Pirate | Youth (uncredited) | 1926-03-08 |
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What Price Glory | Pvt. Kenneth 'Mother's Boy' Lewisohn | 1926-11-23 |
