Barry Norton

Barry Norton

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.

Acting

1956

1956

Written on the Wind
Movie

Courtroom Spectator (uncredited)

1956

Serenade
Movie

Party Guest (uncredited)

1955

The Square Jungle
Movie

Boxing Match Spectator (uncredited)

1955

It's Always Fair Weather
Movie

Nightclub Patron (uncredited)

1955

To Catch a Thief
Movie

Frenchman (uncredited)

1954

White Christmas
Movie

Carousel Club Diner (uncredited)

1954

A Star Is Born
Movie

Benefit Attendee (uncredited)

1954

The Caine Mutiny
Movie

Ship's Officer (uncredited)

1954

Lucky Me
Movie

Diner / Party Guest (uncredited)

1953

How to Marry a Millionaire
Movie

Plane Passenger (uncredited)

1953

1953

The Jazz Singer
Movie

Nightclub Patron

1952

Four Star Playhouse
Tv

Man in Audience / Backstage Guest (uncredited)

1952

The Merry Widow
Movie

Club Patron (uncredited)

1952

Pat and Mike
Movie

Golf Spectator (uncredited)

1952

Something to Live For
Movie

Man in Tweeds (uncredited)

1952

Room for One More
Movie

Boy Scout Ceremony Attendee (uncredited)

1951

Strangers on a Train
Movie

Tennis Match Spectator (uncredited)

1951

Hollywood Story
Movie

Christmas Parade Spectator (uncredited)

1951

On the Riviera
Movie

Party Guest (uncredited)

1950

Mister 880
Movie

Restaurant Diner (uncredited)

1950

Born to Be Bad
Movie

Charity Ball Guest (uncredited)

1950

The Toast of New Orleans
Movie

Restaurant Patron (uncredited)

1950

Rocketship X-M
Movie

Reporter (uncredited)

1950

Young Man with a Horn
Movie

Man at Train Station / Café Guest (uncredited)

1950

No Man of Her Own
Movie

Country Club Patron (uncredited)

1949

East Side, West Side
Movie

Del Rio Club Patron (uncredited)

1948

An Innocent Affair
Movie

Rocket Roof Patron (uncredited)

1948

Easter Parade
Movie

Diner at Rooftop Show (uncredited)

1948

The Big Clock
Movie

Man at Van Barth's (uncredited)

1947

The Gangster
Movie

Nightclub Patron (uncredited)

1947

Variety Girl
Movie

Plane Passenger (uncredited)

1947

Monsieur Verdoux
Movie

Garden Party Guest (uncredited)

1946

Devil Monster
Movie

Robert Jackson

1946

Without Reservations
Movie

Nightclub Patron (uncredited)

1945

Christmas in Connecticut
Movie

Restaurant Patron (uncredited)

1944

Maisie Goes to Reno
Movie

Nightclub Patron (Uncredited)

1943

Above Suspicion
Movie

German Cafe Patron (Uncredited)

1943

Mission to Moscow
Movie

Ball Guest (uncredited)

1943

Casablanca
Movie

Gambler at Rick's (uncredited)

1942

You Were Never Lovelier
Movie

One of Maria's Suitors (uncredited)

1942

The Big Street
Movie

Nightclub Patron (uncredited)

1942

The Falcon Takes Over
Movie

Nightclub Patron (Uncredited)

1942

Blue, White and Perfect
Movie

Man at Ship Dock (uncredited)

1941

Hellzapoppin'
Movie

Party Guest (uncredited)

1941

Niagara Falls
Movie

Hotel Guest (uncredited)

1941

Hold That Ghost
Movie

Club Patron (uncredited)

1941

Tom, Dick and Harry
Movie

Bowler (uncredited)

1941

Ziegfeld Girl
Movie

Palm Beach Casino Patron (uncredited)

1941

The Lady Eve
Movie

Passenger on Ship (uncredited)

1940

Christmas in July
Movie

Co-Worker in Office (uncredited)

1940

Down Argentine Way
Movie

Racetrack Spectator (uncredited)

1940

Dance, Girl, Dance
Movie

Dissaproving Theatre Patron (uncredited)

1939

Second Fiddle
Movie

Nightclub Patron

1936

Camille
Movie

Emile (uncredited)

1936

The Sea Fiend
Movie

Robert Jackson

1936

The Great Ziegfeld
Movie

Nightclub Patron (uncredited)

1934

Caravan
Movie

Young Officer at Beer Garden (Uncredited)

1934

Imitation of Life
Movie

Young Man Proposing Toast (uncredited)

1934

The World Moves On
Movie

Jacques Girard (1924)

1934

1933

Only Yesterday
Movie

Jerry (Uncredited)

1933

1931

Dishonored
Movie

Young Lieutenant - Firing Squad

1931

Drácula
Movie

Juan Harker

1929

The Exalted Flapper
Movie

Prince Boris of Dacia

1928

1927

The Wizard
Movie

Reginald Van Lear

1927

Sunrise: A Song of Two Humans
Movie

Ballroom Dancer / Kissing Couple (uncredited)

1926

1926

What Price Glory
Movie

Pvt. Kenneth 'Mother's Boy' Lewisohn

1926

The Black Pirate
Movie

Youth (uncredited)

Infos

Full Name
Barry Norton
Gender
Male
Date of Birth
6/16/1905
Date of Death
8/24/1956
Also Known As

Alfredo Carlos Birabén