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.
Acted in
Around the World in Eighty Days
1956
as Extra (uncredited)
Written on the Wind
1956
as Courtroom Spectator (uncredited)
Serenade
1956
as Party Guest (uncredited)
Slightly Scarlet
1956
The Square Jungle
1955
It's Always Fair Weather
1955
as Nightclub Patron (uncredited)
To Catch a Thief
1955
as Frenchman (uncredited)
White Christmas
1954
as Carousel Club Diner (uncredited)
A Star Is Born
1954
as Benefit Attendee (uncredited)
The Caine Mutiny
1954
as Ship's Officer (uncredited)
Lucky Me
1954
as Diner / Party Guest (uncredited)
How to Marry a Millionaire
1953
as Plane Passenger (uncredited)
Small Town Girl
1953
as Party Guest
Trouble Along the Way
1953
as Party Guest
The Jazz Singer
1953
as Nightclub Patron
Four Star Playhouse
1952
as Man in Audience / Backstage Guest (uncredited)
The Merry Widow
1952
as Club Patron (uncredited)
Pat and Mike
1952
as Golf Spectator (uncredited)
Young Man with Ideas
1952
as Lawyer at Seminar (uncredited)
Something to Live For
1952
as Man in Tweeds (uncredited)
Room for One More
1952
as Boy Scout Ceremony Attendee (uncredited)
The Strange Door
1951
Hollywood Story
1951
as Christmas Parade Spectator (uncredited)
Pier 23
1951
as Waiter (uncredited)
On the Riviera
1951
as Party Guest (uncredited)
Mister 880
1950
as Restaurant Diner (uncredited)
Born to Be Bad
1950
as Charity Ball Guest (uncredited)
Rocketship X-M
1950
as Reporter (uncredited)
Young Man with a Horn
1950
as Man at Train Station / Café Guest (uncredited)
No Man of Her Own
1950
as Country Club Patron (uncredited)
East Side, West Side
1949
as Del Rio Club Patron (uncredited)
Johnny Allegro
1949
An Innocent Affair
1948
as Rocket Roof Patron (uncredited)
The Big Clock
1948
as Man at Van Barth's (uncredited)
Monsieur Verdoux
1947
as Garden Party Guest (uncredited)
Variety Girl
1947
as Plane Passenger (uncredited)
Twilight on the Rio Grande
1947
as Rurale
Devil Monster
1946
as Robert Jackson
Without Reservations
1946
as Nightclub Patron (uncredited)
Christmas in Connecticut
1945
as Restaurant Patron (uncredited)
Maisie Goes to Reno
1944
as Nightclub Patron (Uncredited)
Above Suspicion
1943
as German Cafe Patron (Uncredited)
Mission to Moscow
1943
as Ball Guest (uncredited)
Keeper of the Flame
1943
Casablanca
1943
as Gambler at Rick's (uncredited)
You Were Never Lovelier
1942
as One of Maria's Suitors (uncredited)
The Big Street
1942
as Nightclub Patron (Uncredited)
The Falcon Takes Over
1942
as Nightclub Patron (Uncredited)
Blue, White, and Perfect
1942
as Man at Ship Dock (uncredited)
Hellzapoppin'
1941
as Party Guest (uncredited)
The Mexican Spitfire's Baby
1941
as Nightclub Patron
Niagara Falls
1941
as Hotel Guest (uncredited)
Hold That Ghost
1941
as Club Patron (uncredited)
Tom, Dick and Harry
1941
as Bowler (uncredited)
Ziegfeld Girl
1941
as Palm Beach Casino Patron (uncredited)
The Lady Eve
1941
as Passenger on Ship (uncredited)
Mexican Spitfire Out West
1940
as Hotel Guest
Christmas in July
1940
as Co-Worker in Office (uncredited)
Down Argentine Way
1940
as Racetrack Spectator (uncredited)
Dance, Girl, Dance
1940
as Dissaproving Theatre Patron (uncredited)
Should Husbands Work?
1939
as Ronald McDonald
Second Fiddle
1939
as Nightclub Patron
Angel of Mercy
1939
as President Garfield's Secretary (uncredited)
The Buccaneer
1938
as Villere
I'll Take Romance
1937
as Juan
Rich Relations
1937
as Don Blair
Camille
1936
as Emile (uncredited)
Captain Calamity
1936
as Carr
The Sea Fiend
1936
as Robert Jackson
The Great Ziegfeld
1936
as Nightclub Patron (uncredited)
Murder at Glen Athol
1936
as Tom Randel
The Devil of the Sea
1935
as Roberto
Woman Wanted
1935
as Nightclub Patron (uncredited)
Storm Over the Andes
1935
as Diaz
Caravan
1934
as Young Officer at Beer Garden (Uncredited)
Imitation of Life
1934
as Young Man Proposing Toast (uncredited)
Grand Canary
1934
as Robert Tranter
The World Moves On
1934
as Jacques Girard (1924)
Let’s Be Ritzy
1934
as Rogers
Unknown Blonde
1934
as Bob Parker
Only Yesterday
1933
as Jerry (Uncredited)
Lady for a Day
1933
as Carlos
Cocktail Hour
1933
as Prince Philippe de Longville
Luxury Liner
1933
as Prince Vladimir Gleboff
Dishonored
1931
as Young Lieutenant - Firing Squad
Drácula
1931
as Juan Harker
East is West
1930
as Billy Benson
Curmudgeon
1930
Galas de la Paramount
1930
as Self - Master of Ceremonies
Bold Love
1930
Sins of the Fathers
1928
as Tom Spengler
The Red Dance
1928
as Rasputin's Assassin (uncredited)
Mother Knows Best
1928
as Boy
4 Devils
1928
as Adolf
Fleetwing
1928
as Jaafor
The Legion of the Condemned
1928
as Byron Dashwood
The Wizard
1927
as Reginald Van Lear
Sunrise: A Song of Two Humans
1927
as Ballroom Dancer / Kissing Couple (uncredited)
A Man About Town
1927
as Amos, a Centerville Clerk
The Heart of Salome
1927
as Henri Bezanne
Ankles Preferred
1927
as Jimmy
The Canyon of Light
1926
as Ricardo Deane
What Price Glory
1926
as Pvt. Kenneth 'Mother's Boy' Lewisohn
The Lily
1926
as Max de Maigny
The Black Pirate
1926
as Youth (uncredited)