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.
Filmography
all 104
Movies 103
TV Shows 1
self 1
Around the World in Eighty Days (1956)
Written on the Wind (1956)
Serenade (1956)
It's Always Fair Weather (1955)
To Catch a Thief (1955)
White Christmas (1954)
A Star Is Born (1954)
The Caine Mutiny (1954)
Lucky Me (1954)
How to Marry a Millionaire (1953)
Small Town Girl (1953)
Trouble Along the Way (1953)
The Jazz Singer (1953)
Four Star Playhouse (1952)
Pat and Mike (1952)
Young Man with Ideas (1952)
Something to Live For (1952)
Room for One More (1952)
Hollywood Story (1951)
Pier 23 (1951)
On the Riviera (1951)
Mister 880 (1950)
Rocketship X-M (1950)
Young Man with a Horn (1950)
No Man of Her Own (1950)
East Side, West Side (1949)
An Innocent Affair (1948)
The Big Clock (1948)
Monsieur Verdoux (1947)
Variety Girl (1947)
Devil Monster (1946)
Without Reservations (1946)
Christmas in Connecticut (1945)
Maisie Goes to Reno (1944)
Above Suspicion (1943)
Mission to Moscow (1943)
Casablanca (1943)
You Were Never Lovelier (1942)
The Big Street (1942)
The Falcon Takes Over (1942)
Blue, White, and Perfect (1942)
Hellzapoppin' (1941)
The Mexican Spitfire's Baby (1941)
Niagara Falls (1941)
Hold That Ghost (1941)
Tom, Dick and Harry (1941)
Ziegfeld Girl (1941)
The Lady Eve (1941)
Mexican Spitfire Out West (1940)
Christmas in July (1940)
Down Argentine Way (1940)
Dance, Girl, Dance (1940)
Should Husbands Work? (1939)
Second Fiddle (1939)
Angel of Mercy (1939)
The Buccaneer (1938)
Rich Relations (1937)
Camille (1936)
The Sea Fiend (1936)
The Great Ziegfeld (1936)
Murder at Glen Athol (1936)
Así es la mujer (1936)
Woman Wanted (1935)
Caravan (1934)
Imitation of Life (1934)
Grand Canary (1934)
The World Moves On (1934)
Unknown Blonde (1934)
Only Yesterday (1933)
Cocktail Hour (1933)
Luxury Liner (1933)
Dishonored (1931)
Drácula (1931)
East is West (1930)
Curmudgeon (1930)
Galas de la Paramount (1930)
Bold Love (1930)
Sins of the Fathers (1928)
The Red Dance (1928)
Mother Knows Best (1928)
4 Devils (1928)
Fleetwing (1928)
The Legion of the Condemned (1928)
The Wizard (1927)
Sunrise: A Song of Two Humans (1927)
A Man About Town (1927)
The Heart of Salome (1927)
The Canyon of Light (1926)
What Price Glory (1926)
The Lily (1926)
The Black Pirate (1926)
Information
Known ForActing
GenderMale
Birthday1905-06-16
Deathday1956-08-24 (51 years old)
Birth NameAlfredo C. Birabén
Birth PlaceBuenos Aires, Argentina
CitizenshipsArgentina
Also Known AsAlfredo Carlos Birabén
This article uses material from Wikipedia.
Last updated:
- Barry Norton
- Filmography
- Information
- Related Persons