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