Cast
Barry Norton
Acting
Cast
Barry Norton
Known for
Acting
Born
1905-06-16
From
Buenos Aires, Argentina
Died
1956-08-24
Also known as Alfredo Carlos Birabén
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.
Casablanca
as Gambler at Rick's (uncredited)
Around the World in 80 Days
as Extra (uncredited)
Strangers on a Train
as Tennis Match Spectator (uncredited)
To Catch a Thief
as Frenchman (uncredited)
How to Marry a Millionaire
as Plane Passenger (uncredited)
Camille
as Emile (uncredited)
The Caine Mutiny
as Ship's Officer (uncredited)
A Star Is Born
as Benefit Attendee (uncredited)
The Lady Eve
as Passenger on Ship (uncredited)
The Buccaneer
as Villere
Monsieur Verdoux
as Garden Party Guest (uncredited)
The Falcon Takes Over
as Nightclub Patron (Uncredited)
Sunrise: A Song of Two Humans
as Ballroom Dancer / Kissing Couple (uncredited)
Without Reservations
as Nightclub Patron (uncredited)
Hellzapoppin'
as Party Guest (uncredited)
Written on the Wind
as Courtroom Spectator (uncredited)
White Christmas
as Carousel Club Diner (uncredited)
Unknown Blonde
as Bob Parker
The Big Street
as Nightclub Patron (uncredited)
Caravan
as Young Officer at Beer Garden (Uncredited)
Christmas in July
as Co-Worker in Office (uncredited)
Grand Canary
as Robert Tranter
Variety Girl
as Plane Passenger (uncredited)
Bold Love
Ziegfeld Girl
as Palm Beach Casino Patron (uncredited)
Easter Parade
as Diner at Rooftop Show (uncredited)
The Lily
as Max de Maigny
Luxury Liner
as Prince Vladimir Gleboff
Serenade
as Party Guest (uncredited)
Christmas in Connecticut
as Restaurant Patron (uncredited)
Dishonored
as Young Lieutenant - Firing Squad
Woman Wanted
as Nightclub Patron (uncredited)
Johnny Allegro
It's Always Fair Weather
as Nightclub Patron (uncredited)
Drácula
as Juan Harker
The Great Ziegfeld
as Nightclub Patron (uncredited)
Imitation of Life
as Young Man Proposing Toast (uncredited)
Room for One More
as Boy Scout Ceremony Attendee (uncredited)
Above Suspicion
as German Cafe Patron (Uncredited)
Second Fiddle
as Nightclub Patron
Mister 880
as Restaurant Diner (uncredited)
Lady for a Day
as Carlos
Only Yesterday
as Jerry (Uncredited)
The Strange Door
You Were Never Lovelier
as One of Maria's Suitors (uncredited)
Hold That Ghost
as Club Patron (uncredited)
Lucky Me
as Diner / Party Guest (uncredited)
Young Man with a Horn
as Man at Train Station / Café Guest (uncredited)
Captain Calamity
as Carr
The Gangster
as Nightclub Patron (uncredited)
Hollywood Story
as Christmas Parade Spectator (uncredited)
Mission to Moscow
as Ball Guest (uncredited)
The Bronze Screen: 100 Years of the Latino Image in American Cinema
Murder at Glen Athol
as Tom Randel
Trouble Along the Way
as Party Guest
Pat and Mike
as Golf Spectator (uncredited)
The Big Clock
as Man at Van Barth's (uncredited)
Keeper of the Flame
On the Riviera
as Party Guest (uncredited)
Rocketship X-M
as Reporter (uncredited)
The Black Pirate
as Youth (uncredited)
Born to Be Bad
as Charity Ball Guest (uncredited)
Dance, Girl, Dance
as Dissaproving Theatre Patron (uncredited)
Small Town Girl
as Party Guest
The Square Jungle
as Boxing Match Spectator (uncredited)
Maisie Goes to Reno
as Nightclub Patron (Uncredited)
The Toast of New Orleans
as Restaurant Patron (uncredited)
Mother Knows Best
as Boy
Something to Live For
as Man in Tweeds (uncredited)
Down Argentine Way
as Racetrack Spectator (uncredited)
The World Moves On
as Jacques Girard (1924)
Tom, Dick and Harry
as Bowler (uncredited)
The Merry Widow
as Club Patron (uncredited)
No Man of Her Own
as Country Club Patron (uncredited)
Niagara Falls
as Hotel Guest (uncredited)
The Jazz Singer
as Nightclub Patron
East Side, West Side
as Del Rio Club Patron (uncredited)
Mexican Spitfire Out West
as Hotel Guest
The Wizard
as Reginald Van Lear
The Legion of the Condemned
as Byron Dashwood
Blue, White and Perfect
as Man at Ship Dock (uncredited)
Pier 23
as Waiter (uncredited)
Marihuana (El monstruo verde)
as Carlos
Young Man with Ideas
as Lawyer at Seminar (uncredited)
An Innocent Affair
as Rocket Roof Patron (uncredited)
Slightly Scarlet
Storm Over the Andes
as Diaz
I'll Take Romance
as Juan
Twilight on the Rio Grande
as Rurale
4 Devils
as Adolf
Cocktail Hour
as Philippe
The Canyon of Light
as Ricardo Deane
The Mexican Spitfire's Baby
as Nightclub Patron
The Devil of the Sea
as Roberto
The Red Dance
as Rasputin's Assassin (uncredited)
Angel of Mercy
as President Garfield's Secretary (uncredited)
Let’s Be Ritzy
as Rogers
Rich Relations
as Don Blair
Curmudgeon
Sins of the Fathers
as Tom Spengler
East is West
as Billy Benson
What Price Glory
as Pvt. Kenneth 'Mother's Boy' Lewisohn
The Exalted Flapper
as Prince Boris of Dacia
The Sea Fiend
as Robert Jackson
Ankles Preferred
as Jimmy
Should Husbands Work?
as Ronald McDonald
Devil Monster
as Robert Jackson
Fleetwing
as Jaafor
The Heart of Salome
as Henri Bezanne
A Man About Town
as Amos, a Centerville Clerk