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