Film Snail

Barry Norton

Born · June 16, 1905

Died · August 24, 1956 (51 years old)

Known For: Acting

Place of Birth: Buenos Aires, Argentina

Bio

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

Around the World in Eighty Days

Extra (uncredited)

6.6

1956

Written on the Wind

Courtroom Spectator (uncredited)

6.9

1956

Serenade

Party Guest (uncredited)

5.5

1956

Slightly Scarlet

6.2

1956

The Square Jungle

6.0

1955

It's Always Fair Weather

Nightclub Patron (uncredited)

7.1

1955

To Catch a Thief

Frenchman (uncredited)

7.3

1955

White Christmas

Carousel Club Diner (uncredited)

7.2

1954

A Star Is Born

Benefit Attendee (uncredited)

7.1

1954

The Caine Mutiny

Ship's Officer (uncredited)

7.1

1954

Lucky Me

Diner / Party Guest (uncredited)

6.7

1954

How to Marry a Millionaire

Plane Passenger (uncredited)

6.8

1953

Small Town Girl

Party Guest

5.7

1953

Trouble Along the Way

Party Guest

5.8

1953

The Jazz Singer

6.3

1952

6.2

1949

An Innocent Affair

Rocket Roof Patron (uncredited)

4.7

1948

The Big Clock

Man at Van Barth's (uncredited)

7.3

1948

Monsieur Verdoux

Garden Party Guest (uncredited)

7.7

1947

Variety Girl

Plane Passenger (uncredited)

6.1

1947

Twilight on the Rio Grande

Rurale

2.5

1947

Devil Monster

Robert Jackson

2.0

1946

Without Reservations

Nightclub Patron (uncredited)

6.3

1946

Christmas in Connecticut

Restaurant Patron (uncredited)

7.0

1945

Maisie Goes to Reno

Nightclub Patron (Uncredited)

6.2

1944

Above Suspicion

German Cafe Patron (Uncredited)

6.4

1943

Mission to Moscow

Ball Guest (uncredited)

5.2

1943

Keeper of the Flame

6.6

1943

Casablanca

Gambler at Rick's (uncredited)

8.2

1943

You Were Never Lovelier

One of Maria's Suitors (uncredited)

7.1

1942

The Big Street

Nightclub Patron (Uncredited)

5.8

1942

The Falcon Takes Over

Nightclub Patron (Uncredited)

6.0

1942

Blue, White, and Perfect

Man at Ship Dock (uncredited)

6.3

1942

Hellzapoppin'

Party Guest (uncredited)

7.1

1941

The Mexican Spitfire's Baby

Nightclub Patron

4.3

1941

Niagara Falls

Hotel Guest (uncredited)

6.7

1941

Hold That Ghost

Club Patron (uncredited)

6.7

1941

Tom, Dick and Harry

Bowler (uncredited)

5.5

1941

Ziegfeld Girl

Palm Beach Casino Patron (uncredited)

6.5

1941

The Lady Eve

Passenger on Ship (uncredited)

7.2

1941

Mexican Spitfire Out West

Hotel Guest

4.6

1940

Christmas in July

Co-Worker in Office (uncredited)

6.9

1940

Down Argentine Way

Racetrack Spectator (uncredited)

6.0

1940

Dance, Girl, Dance

Dissaproving Theatre Patron (uncredited)

6.4

1940

Should Husbands Work?

Ronald McDonald

2.0

1939

Second Fiddle

Nightclub Patron

5.0

1939

Angel of Mercy

President Garfield's Secretary (uncredited)

6.0

1939

The Buccaneer

Villere

6.4

1938

I'll Take Romance

Juan

5.0

1937

Rich Relations

Don Blair

0.0

1937

Camille

Emile (uncredited)

7.0

1936

Captain Calamity

Carr

3.0

1936

The Sea Fiend

Robert Jackson

1.0

1936

The Great Ziegfeld

Nightclub Patron (uncredited)

6.2

1936

Murder at Glen Athol

Tom Randel

6.5

1936

The Devil of the Sea

Roberto

0.0

1935

Woman Wanted

Nightclub Patron (uncredited)

6.3

1935

Storm Over the Andes

Diaz

5.0

1935

Caravan

Young Officer at Beer Garden (Uncredited)

0.0

1934

Imitation of Life

Young Man Proposing Toast (uncredited)

7.0

1934

Grand Canary

Robert Tranter

4.1

1934

The World Moves On

Jacques Girard (1924)

5.7

1934

Let’s Be Ritzy

Rogers

0.0

1934

Unknown Blonde

Bob Parker

1.0

1934

Only Yesterday

Jerry (Uncredited)

6.8

1933

Lady for a Day

Carlos

7.0

1933

Cocktail Hour

Philippe

4.8

1933

Luxury Liner

Prince Vladimir Gleboff

6.3

1933

Dishonored

Young Lieutenant - Firing Squad

6.8

1931

Drácula

Juan Harker

6.7

1931

East is West

Billy Benson

0.0

1930

Curmudgeon

0.0

1930

Bold Love

0.0

1930

Sins of the Fathers

Tom Spengler

6.0

1928

The Red Dance

Rasputin's Assassin (uncredited)

6.2

1928

Mother Knows Best

Boy

0.0

1928

4 Devils

Adolf

7.0

1928

Fleetwing

Jaafor

0.0

1928

The Legion of the Condemned

Byron Dashwood

0.0

1928

The Wizard

6.8

1926