Barry Norton

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	Acting
Most Rating	4.218
Birthday	1905-06-16
Place of Birth	Buenos Aires, Argentina
Also Known As	Alfredo Carlos Birabén,

Lady for a Day

Cocktail Hour

Dishonored

Devil Monster

Luxury Liner

Murder at Glen Athol

4 Devils

Captain Calamity

The Legion of the Condemned

Rich Relations

Casablanca

Ankles Preferred

Woman Wanted

I'll Take Romance

The Wizard

Caravan

Second Fiddle

An Innocent Affair

Should Husbands Work?

Sunrise: A Song of Two Humans

Monsieur Verdoux

The Lady Eve

Blue, White, and Perfect

The Black Pirate

The Caine Mutiny

Rocketship X-M

Room for One More

Dance, Girl, Dance

Around the World in Eighty Days

Down Argentine Way

Angel of Mercy

The Red Dance

Unknown Blonde

Grand Canary

Twilight on the Rio Grande

You Were Never Lovelier

The Jazz Singer

Trouble Along the Way

Mexican Spitfire Out West

The Mexican Spitfire's Baby

The Buccaneer

Above Suspicion

Tom, Dick and Harry

Mission to Moscow

A Man About Town

The Lily

East is West

Only Yesterday

Drácula

Johnny Allegro

Young Man with Ideas

Hollywood Story

Imitation of Life

Hold That Ghost

The Heart of Salome

Something to Live For

Serenade

Small Town Girl

Camille

Ziegfeld Girl

The Falcon Takes Over

Sins of the Fathers

Maisie Goes to Reno

The Big Street

Storm Over the Andes

The Canyon of Light

Without Reservations

Galas de la Paramount

The Strange Door

What Price Glory

The World Moves On

Written on the Wind

Keeper of the Flame

The Devil of the Sea

Mister 880

A Star Is Born

The Sea Fiend

Bold Love

Niagara Falls

Curmudgeon