Barry Norton

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.

Jun 16, 1905
Buenos Aires, Argentina

Movie Credits

Around the World in Eighty Days
Around the World in Eighty Days
1956
Written on the Wind
Written on the Wind
1956
Serenade
Serenade
1956
Slightly Scarlet
Slightly Scarlet
1956
The Square Jungle
The Square Jungle
1955
It's Always Fair Weather
It's Always Fair Weather
1955
To Catch a Thief
To Catch a Thief
1955
White Christmas
White Christmas
1954
A Star Is Born
A Star Is Born
1954
The Caine Mutiny
The Caine Mutiny
1954
Lucky Me
Lucky Me
1954
How to Marry a Millionaire
How to Marry a Millionaire
1953
Small Town Girl
Small Town Girl
1953
Trouble Along the Way
Trouble Along the Way
1953
The Jazz Singer
The Jazz Singer
1953
The Merry Widow
The Merry Widow
1952
Pat and Mike
Pat and Mike
1952
Young Man with Ideas
Young Man with Ideas
1952
Something to Live For
Something to Live For
1952
Room for One More
Room for One More
1952
The Strange Door
The Strange Door
1951
Hollywood Story
Hollywood Story
1951
Pier 23
Pier 23
1951
On the Riviera
On the Riviera
1951
Mister 880
Mister 880
1950
Born to Be Bad
Born to Be Bad
1950
Rocketship X-M
Rocketship X-M
1950
Young Man with a Horn
Young Man with a Horn
1950
No Man of Her Own
No Man of Her Own
1950
East Side, West Side
East Side, West Side
1949

Pictures

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