CINEFILER

Barry Norton

Born
June 16, 1905
Died
August 24, 1956
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.
Known For
Casablanca
(1943)
Gambler at Rick's (uncredited)
To Catch a Thief
(1955)
Frenchman (uncredited)
Around the World in Eighty Days
(1956)
Extra (uncredited)
How to Marry a Millionaire
(1953)
Plane Passenger (uncredited)
Above Suspicion
(1943)
German Cafe Patron (Uncredited)
Monsieur Verdoux
(1947)
Garden Party Guest (uncredited)
White Christmas
(1954)
Carousel Club Diner (uncredited)
The Caine Mutiny
(1954)
Ship's Officer (uncredited)
The Lady Eve
(1941)
Passenger on Ship (uncredited)
A Star Is Born
(1954)
Benefit Attendee (uncredited)
Drácula
(1931)
Juan Harker
Written on the Wind
(1956)
Courtroom Spectator (uncredited)
The Big Street
(1942)
Nightclub Patron (Uncredited)
Sunrise: A Song of Two Humans
(1927)
Ballroom Dancer / Kissing Couple (uncredited)
The Great Ziegfeld
(1936)
Nightclub Patron (uncredited)
Imitation of Life
(1934)
Young Man Proposing Toast (uncredited)
Full Filmography
Acting
What Price Glory
(1926)
Pvt. Kenneth 'Mother's Boy' Lewisohn
The Lily
(1926)
Max de Maigny
The Black Pirate
(1926)
Youth (uncredited)
The Canyon of Light
(1926)
Ricardo Deane
Ankles Preferred
(1927)
Jimmy
The Heart of Salome
(1927)
Henri Bezanne
A Man About Town
(1927)
Amos, a Centerville Clerk
The Wizard
(1927)
Reginald Van Lear
Sunrise: A Song of Two Humans
(1927)
Ballroom Dancer / Kissing Couple (uncredited)
4 Devils
(1928)
Adolf
The Red Dance
(1928)
Rasputin's Assassin (uncredited)
The Legion of the Condemned
(1928)
Byron Dashwood
Fleetwing
(1928)
Jaafor
Sins of the Fathers
(1928)
Tom Spengler
Galas de la Paramount
(1930)
Self - Master of Ceremonies
East is West
(1930)
Billy Benson
Curmudgeon
(1930)
Bold Love
(1930)
Drácula
(1931)
Juan Harker
Dishonored
(1931)
Young Lieutenant - Firing Squad
Luxury Liner
(1933)
Prince Vladimir Gleboff
Cocktail Hour
(1933)
Prince Philippe de Longville
Lady for a Day
(1933)
Carlos
Only Yesterday
(1933)
Jerry (Uncredited)
Imitation of Life
(1934)
Young Man Proposing Toast (uncredited)
Caravan
(1934)
Young Officer at Beer Garden (Uncredited)
The World Moves On
(1934)
Jacques Girard (1924)
Unknown Blonde
(1934)
Bob Parker
Grand Canary
(1934)
Robert Tranter
Woman Wanted
(1935)
Nightclub Patron (uncredited)
The Devil of the Sea
(1935)
Roberto
Storm Over the Andes
(1935)
Diaz
Camille
(1936)
Emile (uncredited)
Murder at Glen Athol
(1936)
Tom Randel
Captain Calamity
(1936)
Carr
The Great Ziegfeld
(1936)
Nightclub Patron (uncredited)
The Sea Fiend
(1936)
Robert Jackson
Rich Relations
(1937)
Don Blair
I'll Take Romance
(1937)
Juan
The Buccaneer
(1938)
Villere
Angel of Mercy
(1939)
President Garfield's Secretary (uncredited)
Should Husbands Work?
(1939)
Ronald McDonald
Second Fiddle
(1939)
Nightclub Patron
Mexican Spitfire Out West
(1940)
Hotel Guest
Down Argentine Way
(1940)
Racetrack Spectator (uncredited)
Dance, Girl, Dance
(1940)
Dissaproving Theatre Patron (uncredited)
Christmas in July
(1940)
Co-Worker in Office (uncredited)
The Mexican Spitfire's Baby
(1941)
Nightclub Patron
Hellzapoppin'
(1941)
Party Guest (uncredited)
The Lady Eve
(1941)
Passenger on Ship (uncredited)
Niagara Falls
(1941)
Hotel Guest (uncredited)
Ziegfeld Girl
(1941)
Palm Beach Casino Patron (Uncredited)
Tom, Dick and Harry
(1941)
Bowler (uncredited)
Hold That Ghost
(1941)
Club Patron (uncredited)
You Were Never Lovelier
(1942)
One of Maria's Suitors (uncredited)
Blue, White, and Perfect
(1942)
Man at Ship Dock (uncredited)
The Falcon Takes Over
(1942)
Nightclub Patron (Uncredited)
The Big Street
(1942)
Nightclub Patron (Uncredited)
Casablanca
(1943)
Gambler at Rick's (uncredited)
Keeper of the Flame
(1943)
Above Suspicion
(1943)
German Cafe Patron (Uncredited)
Mission to Moscow
(1943)
Ball Guest (uncredited)
Maisie Goes to Reno
(1944)
Nightclub Patron (Uncredited)
Christmas in Connecticut
(1945)
Restaurant Patron (uncredited)
Without Reservations
(1946)
Nightclub Patron (uncredited)
Devil Monster
(1946)
Robert Jackson
Variety Girl
(1947)
Plane Passenger (uncredited)
Twilight on the Rio Grande
(1947)
Rurale
Monsieur Verdoux
(1947)
Garden Party Guest (uncredited)
The Big Clock
(1948)
Man at Van Barth's (uncredited)
An Innocent Affair
(1948)
Rocket Roof Patron (uncredited)
East Side, West Side
(1949)
Del Rio Club Patron (uncredited)
Johnny Allegro
(1949)
No Man of Her Own
(1950)
Country Club Patron (uncredited)
Rocketship X-M
(1950)
Reporter (uncredited)
Young Man with a Horn
(1950)
Man at Train Station / Café Guest (uncredited)
Mister 880
(1950)
Restaurant Diner (uncredited)
Pier 23
(1951)
Waiter (uncredited)
Hollywood Story
(1951)
Christmas Parade Spectator (uncredited)
The Strange Door
(1951)
Young Man with Ideas
(1952)
Lawyer at Seminar (uncredited)
Something to Live For
(1952)
Man in Tweeds (uncredited)
Pat and Mike
(1952)
Golf Spectator (uncredited)
Room for One More
(1952)
Boy Scout Ceremony Attendee (uncredited)
Small Town Girl
(1953)
Party Guest
Trouble Along the Way
(1953)
Party Guest
The Jazz Singer
(1953)
Nightclub Patron
How to Marry a Millionaire
(1953)
Plane Passenger (uncredited)
The Caine Mutiny
(1954)
Ship's Officer (uncredited)
Lucky Me
(1954)
Diner / Party Guest (uncredited)
White Christmas
(1954)
Carousel Club Diner (uncredited)
A Star Is Born
(1954)
Benefit Attendee (uncredited)
To Catch a Thief
(1955)
Frenchman (uncredited)
Serenade
(1956)
Party Guest (uncredited)
Around the World in Eighty Days
(1956)
Extra (uncredited)
Written on the Wind
(1956)
Courtroom Spectator (uncredited)
Slightly Scarlet
(1956)
Data provided by TMDB