Acting · Buenos Aires, Argentina · Born June 16, 1905
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.
MovieThe Bronze Screen: 100 Years of the Latino Image in American Cinema
2002
MovieAround the World in 80 Days
1956
as Extra (uncredited)
MovieWritten on the Wind
1956
as Courtroom Spectator (uncredited)
MovieSerenade
1956
as Party Guest (uncredited)
MovieSlightly Scarlet
1956
MovieThe Square Jungle
1955
as Boxing Match Spectator (uncredited)
MovieIt's Always Fair Weather
1955
as Nightclub Patron (uncredited)
MovieTo Catch a Thief
1955
as Frenchman (uncredited)
MovieWhite Christmas
1954
as Carousel Club Diner (uncredited)
MovieA Star Is Born
1954
as Benefit Attendee (uncredited)
MovieThe Caine Mutiny
1954
as Ship's Officer (uncredited)
MovieLucky Me
1954
as Diner / Party Guest (uncredited)
MovieHow to Marry a Millionaire
1953
as Plane Passenger (uncredited)
MovieSmall Town Girl
1953
as Party Guest
MovieTrouble Along the Way
1953
as Party Guest
MovieThe Jazz Singer
1953
as Nightclub Patron
TVFour Star Playhouse
1952
as Man in Audience / Backstage Guest (uncredited)
MovieThe Merry Widow
1952
as Club Patron (uncredited)
MoviePat and Mike
1952
as Golf Spectator (uncredited)
MovieYoung Man with Ideas
1952
as Lawyer at Seminar (uncredited)
MovieSomething to Live For
1952
as Man in Tweeds (uncredited)
MovieRoom for One More
1952
as Boy Scout Ceremony Attendee (uncredited)
MovieThe Strange Door
1951
MovieStrangers on a Train
1951
as Tennis Match Spectator (uncredited)
MovieHollywood Story
1951
as Christmas Parade Spectator (uncredited)
MoviePier 23
1951
as Waiter (uncredited)
MovieOn the Riviera
1951
as Party Guest (uncredited)
MovieMister 880
1950
as Restaurant Diner (uncredited)
MovieBorn to Be Bad
1950
as Charity Ball Guest (uncredited)
MovieThe Toast of New Orleans
1950
as Restaurant Patron (uncredited)
MovieRocketship X-M
1950
as Reporter (uncredited)
MovieYoung Man with a Horn
1950
as Man at Train Station / Café Guest (uncredited)
MovieNo Man of Her Own
1950
as Country Club Patron (uncredited)
MovieEast Side, West Side
1949
as Del Rio Club Patron (uncredited)
MovieJohnny Allegro
1949
MovieAn Innocent Affair
1948
as Rocket Roof Patron (uncredited)
MovieEaster Parade
1948
as Diner (uncredited)
MovieThe Big Clock
1948
as Man at Van Barth's (uncredited)
MovieThe Gangster
1947
as Nightclub Patron (uncredited)
MovieVariety Girl
1947
as Plane Passenger (uncredited)
MovieMonsieur Verdoux
1947
as Garden Party Guest (uncredited)
MovieTwilight on the Rio Grande
1947
as Rurale
MovieDevil Monster
1946
as Robert Jackson
MovieWithout Reservations
1946
as Nightclub Patron (uncredited)
MovieChristmas in Connecticut
1945
as Restaurant Patron (uncredited)
MovieMaisie Goes to Reno
1944
as Nightclub Patron (Uncredited)
MovieAbove Suspicion
1943
as German Cafe Patron (Uncredited)
MovieMission to Moscow
1943
as Ball Guest (uncredited)
MovieKeeper of the Flame
1943
MovieCasablanca
1943
as Gambler at Rick's (uncredited)
MovieYou Were Never Lovelier
1942
as One of Maria's Suitors (uncredited)
MovieThe Big Street
1942
as Nightclub Patron (uncredited)
MovieThe Falcon Takes Over
1942
as Nightclub Patron (Uncredited)
MovieBlue, White and Perfect
1942
as Man at Ship Dock (uncredited)
MovieHellzapoppin'
1941
as Party Guest (uncredited)
MovieThe Mexican Spitfire's Baby
1941
as Nightclub Patron
MovieNiagara Falls
1941
as Hotel Guest (uncredited)
MovieHold That Ghost
1941
as Club Patron (uncredited)
MovieTom, Dick and Harry
1941
as Bowler (uncredited)
MovieZiegfeld Girl
1941
as Palm Beach Casino Patron (uncredited)
MovieThe Lady Eve
1941
as Passenger on Ship (uncredited)
MovieMexican Spitfire Out West
1940
as Hotel Guest
MovieChristmas in July
1940
as Co-Worker in Office (uncredited)
MovieDown Argentine Way
1940
as Racetrack Spectator (uncredited)
MovieDance, Girl, Dance
1940
as Dissaproving Theatre Patron (uncredited)
MovieShould Husbands Work?
1939
as Ronald McDonald
MovieSecond Fiddle
1939
as Nightclub Patron
MovieAngel of Mercy
1939
as President Garfield's Secretary (uncredited)
MovieThe Buccaneer
1938
as Villere
MovieI'll Take Romance
1937
as Juan
MovieRich Relations
1937
as Don Blair
MovieCamille
1936
as Emile (uncredited)
MovieCaptain Calamity
1936
as Carr
MovieMarihuana (El monstruo verde)
1936
as Carlos
MovieThe Sea Fiend
1936
as Robert Jackson
MovieThe Great Ziegfeld
1936
as Nightclub Patron (uncredited)
MovieMurder at Glen Athol
1936
as Tom Randel
The Devil of the Sea
1935
as Roberto
MovieWoman Wanted
1935
as Nightclub Patron (uncredited)
MovieStorm Over the Andes
1935
as Diaz
MovieCaravan
1934
as Young Officer at Beer Garden (Uncredited)
MovieImitation of Life
1934
as Young Man Proposing Toast (uncredited)
MovieGrand Canary
1934
as Robert Tranter
MovieThe World Moves On
1934
as Jacques Girard (1924)
MovieLet’s Be Ritzy
1934
as Rogers
MovieUnknown Blonde
1934
as Bob Parker
MovieOnly Yesterday
1933
as Jerry (Uncredited)
MovieLady for a Day
1933
as Carlos
MovieCocktail Hour
1933
as Philippe
MovieLuxury Liner
1933
as Prince Vladimir Gleboff
MovieDishonored
1931
as Young Lieutenant - Firing Squad
MovieDrácula
1931
as Juan Harker
MovieEast is West
1930
as Billy Benson
Curmudgeon
1930
Bold Love
1930
El Cuerpo del Delito
1930
as Adolph Mahler
MovieThe Exalted Flapper
1929
as Prince Boris of Dacia
MovieSins of the Fathers
1928
as Tom Spengler
MovieThe Red Dance
1928
as Rasputin's Assassin (uncredited)
Mother Knows Best
1928
as Boy
Movie4 Devils
1928
as Adolf
MovieFleetwing
1928
as Jaafor
MovieThe Legion of the Condemned
1928
as Byron Dashwood
MovieThe Wizard
1927
as Reginald Van Lear
MovieSunrise: A Song of Two Humans
1927
as Ballroom Dancer / Kissing Couple (uncredited)
MovieA Man About Town
1927
as Amos, a Centerville Clerk
MovieThe Heart of Salome
1927
as Henri Bezanne
MovieAnkles Preferred
1927
as Jimmy
MovieThe Canyon of Light
1926
as Ricardo Deane
MovieWhat Price Glory
1926
as Pvt. Kenneth 'Mother's Boy' Lewisohn
MovieThe Lily
1926
as Max de Maigny
MovieThe Black Pirate
1926
as Youth (uncredited)
