Acting
Barry Norton
EN, ES, XX cinema · 112 credits
Born
16 June 1905
Died
24 August 1956 (aged 51)
Birthplace
Buenos Aires, Argentina
Also known as Alfredo Carlos Birabén
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
Filmography
Written on the Wind
as Courtroom Spectator (uncredited)
Around the World in 80 Days
as Extra (uncredited)
Serenade
as Party Guest (uncredited)
To Catch a Thief
as Frenchman (uncredited)
It's Always Fair Weather
as Nightclub Patron (uncredited)
The Square Jungle
as Boxing Match Spectator (uncredited)
White Christmas
as Carousel Club Diner (uncredited)
Lucky Me
as Diner / Party Guest (uncredited)
A Star Is Born
as Benefit Attendee (uncredited)
The Caine Mutiny
as Ship's Officer (uncredited)
How to Marry a Millionaire
as Plane Passenger (uncredited)
The Jazz Singer
as Nightclub Patron
Trouble Along the Way
as Party Guest
Small Town Girl
as Party Guest
Pat and Mike
as Golf Spectator (uncredited)
Room for One More
as Boy Scout Ceremony Attendee (uncredited)
Young Man with Ideas
as Lawyer at Seminar (uncredited)
Something to Live For
as Man in Tweeds (uncredited)
The Merry Widow
as Club Patron (uncredited)
What Price Glory
as Priest (uncredited)
Pier 23
as Waiter (uncredited)
On the Riviera
as Party Guest (uncredited)
Hollywood Story
as Christmas Parade Spectator (uncredited)
Strangers on a Train
as Tennis Match Spectator (uncredited)
No Man of Her Own
as Country Club Patron (uncredited)
Young Man with a Horn
as Man at Train Station / Café Guest (uncredited)
Mister 880
as Restaurant Diner (uncredited)
Rocketship X-M
as Reporter (uncredited)
Born to Be Bad
as Charity Ball Guest (uncredited)
The Toast of New Orleans
as Restaurant Patron (uncredited)
East Side, West Side
as Del Rio Club Patron (uncredited)
The Big Clock
as Man at Van Barth's (uncredited)
An Innocent Affair
as Rocket Roof Patron (uncredited)
Easter Parade
as Diner (uncredited)
Variety Girl
as Plane Passenger (uncredited)
Monsieur Verdoux
as Garden Party Guest (uncredited)
The Gangster
as Nightclub Patron (uncredited)
Without Reservations
as Nightclub Patron (uncredited)
Devil Monster
as Robert Jackson
Christmas in Connecticut
as Restaurant Patron (uncredited)
Maisie Goes to Reno
as Nightclub Patron (Uncredited)
Casablanca
as Gambler at Rick's (uncredited)
Above Suspicion
as German Cafe Patron (Uncredited)
Mission to Moscow
as Ball Guest (uncredited)
Blue, White and Perfect
as Man at Ship Dock (uncredited)
You Were Never Lovelier
as One of Maria's Suitors (uncredited)
The Falcon Takes Over
as Nightclub Patron (Uncredited)
The Big Street
as Nightclub Patron (uncredited)
Hellzapoppin'
as Party Guest (uncredited)
Niagara Falls
as Hotel Guest (uncredited)
The Mexican Spitfire's Baby
as Nightclub Patron
Tom, Dick and Harry
as Bowler (uncredited)
Hold That Ghost
as Club Patron (uncredited)
Ziegfeld Girl
as Palm Beach Casino Patron (uncredited)
The Lady Eve
as Passenger on Ship (uncredited)
Christmas in July
as Co-Worker in Office (uncredited)
Dance, Girl, Dance
as Dissaproving Theatre Patron (uncredited)
Down Argentine Way
as Racetrack Spectator (uncredited)
Mexican Spitfire Out West
as Hotel Guest
Second Fiddle
as Nightclub Patron
Should Husbands Work?
as Ronald McDonald
Angel of Mercy
as President Garfield's Secretary (uncredited)
The Buccaneer
as Villere
Rich Relations
as Don Blair
The Great Ziegfeld
as Nightclub Patron (uncredited)
Murder at Glen Athol
as Tom Randel
Captain Calamity
as Carr
The Sea Fiend
as Robert Jackson
Camille
as Emile (uncredited)
Woman Wanted
as Nightclub Patron (uncredited)
The World Moves On
as Jacques Girard (1924)
Caravan
as Young Officer at Beer Garden (Uncredited)
Let’s Be Ritzy
as Rogers
Unknown Blonde
as Bob Parker
Grand Canary
as Robert Tranter
Imitation of Life
as Young Man Proposing Toast (uncredited)
Lady for a Day
as Carlos
Cocktail Hour
as Philippe
Luxury Liner
as Prince Vladimir Gleboff
Only Yesterday
as Jerry (Uncredited)
Dishonored
as Young Lieutenant - Firing Squad
Drácula
as Juan Harker
East is West
as Billy Benson
El Cuerpo del Delito
1930
El Cuerpo del Delito
as Adolph Mahler
The Exalted Flapper
as Prince Boris of Dacia
Fleetwing
as Jaafor
4 Devils
as Adolf
The Legion of the Condemned
as Byron Dashwood
The Red Dance
as Rasputin's Assassin (uncredited)
Sins of the Fathers
as Tom Spengler
Ankles Preferred
as Jimmy
The Wizard
as Reginald Van Lear
Sunrise: A Song of Two Humans
as Ballroom Dancer / Kissing Couple (uncredited)
A Man About Town
as Amos, a Centerville Clerk
The Heart of Salome
as Henri Bezanne
The Canyon of Light
as Ricardo Deane
What Price Glory
as Pvt. Kenneth 'Mother's Boy' Lewisohn
The Black Pirate
as Youth (uncredited)
The Lily
as Max de Maigny