Barry Norton

Known for ActingBorn 1905-06-16Died 1956-08-24Buenos Aires, Argentina

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.Read more

Movies & web series

Let’s Be Ritzy

Curmudgeon

East is West

The Legion of the Condemned

A Man About Town

The Devil of the Sea

Mother Knows Best

The Canyon of Light

Casablanca

Angel of Mercy

The Exalted Flapper

Sins of the Fathers

Ankles Preferred

The Wizard

The Heart of Salome

Strangers on a Train

Monsieur Verdoux

Sunrise: A Song of Two Humans

4 Devils

To Catch a Thief

The Big Clock

White Christmas

The Caine Mutiny

The Lady Eve

Hellzapoppin'

A Star Is Born

Only Yesterday

Mister 880

East Side, West Side

Written on the Wind

It's Always Fair Weather

Luxury Liner

You Were Never Lovelier

The Bronze Screen: 100 Years of the Latino Image in American Cinema

Easter Parade

Something to Live For

Christmas in Connecticut

No Man of Her Own

Lady for a Day

Imitation of Life

Christmas in July

How to Marry a Millionaire

Murder at Glen Athol

Camille

Storm Over the Andes

Four Star Playhouse

Lucky Me

Bold Love