Barry Norton
Acting
🎂 1905-06-16
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.
Cast credits(108)
Man in Audience / Backstage Guest (uncredited)
1952
Gambler at Rick's (uncredited)
1943
Extra (uncredited)
1956
Tennis Match Spectator (uncredited)
1951
Frenchman (uncredited)
1955
Plane Passenger (uncredited)
1953
Golf Spectator (uncredited)
1952
Carlos
1933
1956
Benefit Attendee (uncredited)
1954
Ballroom Dancer / Kissing Couple (uncredited)
1927
Ship's Officer (uncredited)
1954
Carousel Club Diner (uncredited)
1954
Emile (uncredited)
1936
Garden Party Guest (uncredited)
1947
Courtroom Spectator (uncredited)
1956
Passenger on Ship (uncredited)
1941
Diner at Rooftop Show (uncredited)
1948
Restaurant Patron (uncredited)
1945
Young Man Proposing Toast (uncredited)
1934
Party Guest (uncredited)
1956
Lawyer at Seminar (uncredited)
1952
Co-Worker in Office (uncredited)
1940
Party Guest (uncredited)
1941
Palm Beach Casino Patron (uncredited)
1941
Club Patron (uncredited)
1941
Boy Scout Ceremony Attendee (uncredited)
1952
Ball Guest (uncredited)
1943
Nightclub Patron (Uncredited)
1942
Man at Van Barth's (uncredited)
1948
Nightclub Patron (uncredited)
1935
Robert Jackson
1946
One of Maria's Suitors (uncredited)
1942
Dissaproving Theatre Patron (uncredited)
1940
Club Patron (uncredited)
1952
Charity Ball Guest (uncredited)
1950
Reporter (uncredited)
1950
Party Guest
1953
Nightclub Patron (uncredited)
1936
Nightclub Patron (uncredited)
1955
Country Club Patron (uncredited)
1950
Bowler (uncredited)
1941
Party Guest
1953
Bob Parker
1934
Plane Passenger (uncredited)
1947
Juan Harker
1931
Man at Train Station / Café Guest (uncredited)
1950
1955
Nightclub Patron (Uncredited)
1942
1943
Diner / Party Guest (uncredited)
1954
Man in Tweeds (uncredited)
1952
German Cafe Patron (Uncredited)
1943
Nightclub Patron (uncredited)
1946
Youth (uncredited)
1926
Villere
1938
Rocket Roof Patron (uncredited)
1948
Jerry (Uncredited)
1933
Nightclub Patron
1953
Juan
1937
Young Lieutenant - Firing Squad
1931
1951
Restaurant Diner (uncredited)
1950
Man at Ship Dock (uncredited)
1942
Waiter (uncredited)
1951
Christmas Parade Spectator (uncredited)
1951
Young Officer at Beer Garden (Uncredited)
1934
Nightclub Patron
1939
Racetrack Spectator (uncredited)
1940
Del Rio Club Patron (uncredited)
1949
2002
Nightclub Patron (Uncredited)
1944
Jimmy
1927
Rurale
1947
Hotel Guest (uncredited)
1941
Philippe
1933
Hotel Guest
1940
Don Blair
1937
1949
Prince Vladimir Gleboff
1933
Carr
1936
Diaz
1935
Robert Tranter
1934
Jaafor
1928
Max de Maigny
1926
Jacques Girard (1924)
1934
Pvt. Kenneth 'Mother's Boy' Lewisohn
1926
Henri Bezanne
1927
Boy
1928
Byron Dashwood
1928
Nightclub Patron
1941
Tom Randel
1936
Adolf
1928
Party Guest (uncredited)
1951
President Garfield's Secretary (uncredited)
1939
Robert Jackson
1936
Ricardo Deane
1926
Roberto
1935
Reginald Van Lear
1927
Rogers
1934
Rasputin's Assassin (uncredited)
1928
Prince Boris of Dacia
1929
Amos, a Centerville Clerk
1927
Tom Spengler
1928
Ronald McDonald
1939
1930
Billy Benson
1930
1930