Biography
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 108
2000s
- 2002
The Bronze Screen: 100 Years of the Latino Image in American Cinema
Movie
1950s
- 1956
- 1955
The Square Jungle
Boxing Match Spectator (uncredited)
- 1954
Lucky Me
Diner / Party Guest (uncredited)
- 1953
Small Town Girl
Party Guest
The Jazz Singer
Nightclub Patron
- 1952
The Merry Widow
Club Patron (uncredited)
Young Man with Ideas
Lawyer at Seminar (uncredited)
Something to Live For
Man in Tweeds (uncredited)
Room for One More
Boy Scout Ceremony Attendee (uncredited)
- 1951
The Strange Door
Movie
Hollywood Story
Christmas Parade Spectator (uncredited)
Pier 23
Waiter (uncredited)
On the Riviera
Party Guest (uncredited)
- 1950
Mister 880
Restaurant Diner (uncredited)
Born to Be Bad
Charity Ball Guest (uncredited)
The Toast of New Orleans
Restaurant Patron (uncredited)
Rocketship X-M
Reporter (uncredited)
No Man of Her Own
Country Club Patron (uncredited)
1940s
- 1949
East Side, West Side
Del Rio Club Patron (uncredited)
Johnny Allegro
Movie
- 1948
An Innocent Affair
Rocket Roof Patron (uncredited)
- 1947
Variety Girl
Plane Passenger (uncredited)
- 1946
Devil Monster
Robert Jackson
- 1945
- 1944
Maisie Goes to Reno
Nightclub Patron (Uncredited)
- 1943
Above Suspicion
German Cafe Patron (Uncredited)
Mission to Moscow
Ball Guest (uncredited)
- 1942
You Were Never Lovelier
One of Maria's Suitors (uncredited)
The Big Street
Nightclub Patron (uncredited)
The Falcon Takes Over
Nightclub Patron (Uncredited)
Blue, White and Perfect
Man at Ship Dock (uncredited)
- 1941
Hellzapoppin'
Party Guest (uncredited)
The Mexican Spitfire's Baby
Nightclub Patron
Niagara Falls
Hotel Guest (uncredited)
Tom, Dick and Harry
Bowler (uncredited)
- 1940
Mexican Spitfire Out West
Hotel Guest
Christmas in July
Co-Worker in Office (uncredited)
Down Argentine Way
Racetrack Spectator (uncredited)
Dance, Girl, Dance
Dissaproving Theatre Patron (uncredited)
1930s
- 1939
Should Husbands Work?
Ronald McDonald
Second Fiddle
Nightclub Patron
Angel of Mercy
President Garfield's Secretary (uncredited)
- 1938
The Buccaneer
Villere
- 1937
I'll Take Romance
Juan
Rich Relations
Don Blair
- 1936
Captain Calamity
Carr
Marihuana (El monstruo verde)
Carlos
The Sea Fiend
Robert Jackson
- 1935
Woman Wanted
Nightclub Patron (uncredited)
Storm Over the Andes
Diaz
- 1934
Caravan
Young Officer at Beer Garden (Uncredited)
Imitation of Life
Young Man Proposing Toast (uncredited)
Grand Canary
Robert Tranter
The World Moves On
Jacques Girard (1924)
Let’s Be Ritzy
Rogers
Unknown Blonde
Bob Parker
- 1933
Only Yesterday
Jerry (Uncredited)
Lady for a Day
Carlos
Cocktail Hour
Philippe
Luxury Liner
Prince Vladimir Gleboff
- 1931
Drácula
Juan Harker
- 1930
East is West
Billy Benson
1920s
- 1929
The Exalted Flapper
Prince Boris of Dacia
- 1928
Sins of the Fathers
Tom Spengler
The Red Dance
Rasputin's Assassin (uncredited)
4 Devils
Adolf
Fleetwing
Jaafor
The Legion of the Condemned
Byron Dashwood
- 1927
The Wizard
Reginald Van Lear
A Man About Town
Amos, a Centerville Clerk
The Heart of Salome
Henri Bezanne
Ankles Preferred
Jimmy
- 1926
The Canyon of Light
Ricardo Deane
What Price Glory
Pvt. Kenneth 'Mother's Boy' Lewisohn
The Lily
Max de Maigny
