Barry Norton
Known for: Acting
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.
Filmography
Series
Four Star Playhouse
Man in Audience / Backstage Guest (uncredited)
1952
Film
How to Marry a Millionaire
Plane Passenger (uncredited)
1953
Film
Casablanca
Gambler at Rick's (uncredited)
1943
Film
To Catch a Thief
Frenchman (uncredited)
1955
Film
Easter Parade
Diner (uncredited)
1948
Film
A Star Is Born
Benefit Attendee (uncredited)
1954
Film
Strangers on a Train
Tennis Match Spectator (uncredited)
1951
Film
Around the World in 80 Days
Extra (uncredited)
1956
Film
Ziegfeld Girl
Palm Beach Casino Patron (uncredited)
1941
Film
Pat and Mike
Golf Spectator (uncredited)
1952
Film
Sunrise: A Song of Two Humans
Ballroom Dancer / Kissing Couple (uncredited)
1927
Film
Written on the Wind
Courtroom Spectator (uncredited)
1956
Film
White Christmas
Carousel Club Diner (uncredited)
1954
Film
The Caine Mutiny
Ship's Officer (uncredited)
1954
Film
Monsieur Verdoux
Garden Party Guest (uncredited)
1947
Film
The Great Ziegfeld
Nightclub Patron (uncredited)
1936
Film
Serenade
Party Guest (uncredited)
1956
Film
The Big Clock
Man at Van Barth's (uncredited)
1948
Film
Young Man with a Horn
Man at Train Station / Café Guest (uncredited)
1950
Film
Camille
Emile (uncredited)
1936
Film
Slightly Scarlet
1956
Film
The Lady Eve
Passenger on Ship (uncredited)
1941
Film
Lady for a Day
Carlos
1933
Film
Born to Be Bad
Charity Ball Guest (uncredited)
1950
Film
Hold That Ghost
Club Patron (uncredited)
1941
Film
It's Always Fair Weather
Nightclub Patron (uncredited)
1955
Film
Keeper of the Flame
1943
Film
Christmas in Connecticut
Restaurant Patron (uncredited)
1945
Film
Trouble Along the Way
Party Guest
1953
Film
You Were Never Lovelier
One of Maria's Suitors (uncredited)
1942
Film
What Price Glory
Priest (uncredited)
1952
Film
Dance, Girl, Dance
Dissaproving Theatre Patron (uncredited)
1940
Film
Dishonored
Young Lieutenant - Firing Squad
1931
Film
The Mexican Spitfire's Baby
Nightclub Patron
1941
Film
Without Reservations
Nightclub Patron (uncredited)
1946
Film
Room for One More
Boy Scout Ceremony Attendee (uncredited)
1952
Film
The Merry Widow
Club Patron (uncredited)
1952
Film
No Man of Her Own
Country Club Patron (uncredited)
1950
Film
East Side, West Side
Del Rio Club Patron (uncredited)
1949
Film
The Strange Door
1951
Film
Drácula
Juan Harker
1931
Film
The Toast of New Orleans
Restaurant Patron (uncredited)
1950
Film
Rocketship X-M
Reporter (uncredited)
1950
Film
Variety Girl
Plane Passenger (uncredited)
1947
Film
The Big Street
Nightclub Patron (uncredited)
1942
Film
Christmas in July
Co-Worker in Office (uncredited)
1940
Film
Only Yesterday
Jerry (Uncredited)
1933
Film
Imitation of Life
Young Man Proposing Toast (uncredited)
1934
Film
Something to Live For
Man in Tweeds (uncredited)
1952
Film
Tom, Dick and Harry
Bowler (uncredited)
1941
Film
The Bronze Screen: 100 Years of the Latino Image in American Cinema
2002
Film
Above Suspicion
German Cafe Patron (Uncredited)
1943
Film
The Falcon Takes Over
Nightclub Patron (Uncredited)
1942
Film
Hellzapoppin'
Party Guest (uncredited)
1941
Film
Down Argentine Way
Racetrack Spectator (uncredited)
1940
Film
Woman Wanted
Nightclub Patron (uncredited)
1935
Film
On the Riviera
Party Guest (uncredited)
1951
Film
The Black Pirate
Youth (uncredited)
1926
Film
The Gangster
Nightclub Patron (uncredited)
1947
Film
Grand Canary
Robert Tranter
1934
Film
Lucky Me
Diner / Party Guest (uncredited)
1954
Film
Niagara Falls
Hotel Guest (uncredited)
1941
Film
Mister 880
Restaurant Diner (uncredited)
1950
Film
Twilight on the Rio Grande
Rurale
1947
Film
Maisie Goes to Reno
Nightclub Patron (Uncredited)
1944
Film
Young Man with Ideas
Lawyer at Seminar (uncredited)
1952
Film
Mission to Moscow
Ball Guest (uncredited)
1943
Film
Sins of the Fathers
Tom Spengler
1928
Film
Small Town Girl
Party Guest
1953
Film
Hollywood Story
Christmas Parade Spectator (uncredited)
1951
Film
Mexican Spitfire Out West
Hotel Guest
1940
Film
Luxury Liner
Prince Vladimir Gleboff
1933
Film
The Jazz Singer
Nightclub Patron
1953
Film
Fleetwing
Jaafor
1928
Film
An Innocent Affair
Rocket Roof Patron (uncredited)
1948
Film
The Buccaneer
Villere
1938
Film
A Man About Town
Amos, a Centerville Clerk
1927
Film
Unknown Blonde
Bob Parker
1934
Film
The World Moves On
Jacques Girard (1924)
1934
Film
Marihuana (El monstruo verde)
Carlos
1936
Curmudgeon
1930
Film
I'll Take Romance
Juan
1937
Film
Caravan
Young Officer at Beer Garden (Uncredited)
1934
Film
Second Fiddle
Nightclub Patron
1939
Film
The Square Jungle
Boxing Match Spectator (uncredited)
1955
Film
Ankles Preferred
Jimmy
1927
Film
Storm Over the Andes
Diaz
1935
Film
The Heart of Salome
Henri Bezanne
1927
Film
Johnny Allegro
1949
Film
Blue, White and Perfect
Man at Ship Dock (uncredited)
1942
Film
Let’s Be Ritzy
Rogers
1934
El Cuerpo del Delito
Adolph Mahler
1930
Film
4 Devils
Adolf
1928
Film
Murder at Glen Athol
Tom Randel
1936
Film
The Legion of the Condemned
Byron Dashwood
1928
Film
The Canyon of Light
Ricardo Deane
1926
Film
East is West
Billy Benson
1930
Film
Cocktail Hour
Philippe
1933
Film
The Red Dance
Rasputin's Assassin (uncredited)
1928
The Devil of the Sea
Roberto
1935
Bold Love
1930
Film
Angel of Mercy
President Garfield's Secretary (uncredited)
1939
Film
What Price Glory
Pvt. Kenneth 'Mother's Boy' Lewisohn
1926
Film
Captain Calamity
Carr
1936
Film
Pier 23
Waiter (uncredited)
1951
Mother Knows Best
Boy
1928
Film
Should Husbands Work?
Ronald McDonald
1939
Film
Devil Monster
Robert Jackson
1946
Film
The Exalted Flapper
Prince Boris of Dacia
1929
Film
The Wizard
Reginald Van Lear
1927
Film
Rich Relations
Don Blair
1937
Film
The Lily
Max de Maigny
1926
Film
The Sea Fiend
Robert Jackson
1936