Barry Norton
Acting
Born 1905-06-16
Died 1956-08-24
Buenos Aires, Argentina
112 credits
Read biography
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.
Not enough member ratings yet.
Sign in to rate.
Filmography
— top 60 of 112
Four Star Playhouse
Casablanca
White Christmas
Around the World in 80 Days
To Catch a Thief
Strangers on a Train
How to Marry a Millionaire
The Caine Mutiny
Sunrise: A Song of Two Humans
A Star Is Born
Monsieur Verdoux
Dishonored
Easter Parade
The Big Clock
Camille
The Lady Eve
Dance, Girl, Dance
Written on the Wind
Ziegfeld Girl
You Were Never Lovelier
Christmas in Connecticut
Hold That Ghost
Born to Be Bad
The Great Ziegfeld
Hellzapoppin'
Pat and Mike
The Merry Widow
Lady for a Day
Room for One More
It's Always Fair Weather
The Black Pirate
No Man of Her Own
Maisie Goes to Reno
Above Suspicion
Drácula
Young Man with a Horn
Curmudgeon
Rocketship X-M
The Toast of New Orleans
The Buccaneer
Imitation of Life
Hollywood Story
The Big Street
Trouble Along the Way
Variety Girl
Keeper of the Flame
On the Riviera
Mister 880
Small Town Girl
Young Man with Ideas
Christmas in July
Without Reservations
Fleetwing
East Side, West Side
Marihuana (El monstruo verde)
Something to Live For
Unknown Blonde
Only Yesterday
The Gangster
Lucky Me
Track what you watch
DuckTrack members see which of these they have already watched,
right here on this page.
Create a free account
Comments
0 commentsNo comments yet. Sign in to be the first.