Acting
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.
Filmography
The Bronze Screen: 100 Years of the Latino Image in American Cinema
Film · 2002
Written on the Wind
Film · 1956
Slightly Scarlet
Film · 1956
Around the World in 80 Days
Film · 1956
Serenade
Film · 1956
To Catch a Thief
Film · 1955
It's Always Fair Weather
Film · 1955
The Square Jungle
Film · 1955
White Christmas
Film · 1954
Lucky Me
Film · 1954
A Star Is Born
Film · 1954
The Caine Mutiny
Film · 1954
How to Marry a Millionaire
Film · 1953
The Jazz Singer
Film · 1953
Trouble Along the Way
Film · 1953
Small Town Girl
Film · 1953
Pat and Mike
Film · 1952
Room for One More
Film · 1952
Young Man with Ideas
Film · 1952
Something to Live For
Film · 1952
The Merry Widow
Film · 1952
What Price Glory
Film · 1952
Four Star Playhouse
Series · 1952
The Strange Door
Film · 1951
Pier 23
Film · 1951
On the Riviera
Film · 1951
Hollywood Story
Film · 1951
Strangers on a Train
Film · 1951
No Man of Her Own
Film · 1950
Young Man with a Horn
Film · 1950
Mister 880
Film · 1950
Rocketship X-M
Film · 1950
Born to Be Bad
Film · 1950
The Toast of New Orleans
Film · 1950
East Side, West Side
Film · 1949
Johnny Allegro
Film · 1949
The Big Clock
Film · 1948
An Innocent Affair
Film · 1948
Easter Parade
Film · 1948
Variety Girl
Film · 1947
Monsieur Verdoux
Film · 1947
Twilight on the Rio Grande
Film · 1947
The Gangster
Film · 1947
Without Reservations
Film · 1946
Devil Monster
Film · 1946
Christmas in Connecticut
Film · 1945
Maisie Goes to Reno
Film · 1944
Keeper of the Flame
Film · 1943
Casablanca
Film · 1943
Above Suspicion
Film · 1943
Mission to Moscow
Film · 1943
Blue, White and Perfect
Film · 1942
You Were Never Lovelier
Film · 1942
The Falcon Takes Over
Film · 1942
The Big Street
Film · 1942
Hellzapoppin'
Film · 1941
Niagara Falls
Film · 1941
The Mexican Spitfire's Baby
Film · 1941
Tom, Dick and Harry
Film · 1941
Hold That Ghost
Film · 1941
Ziegfeld Girl
Film · 1941
The Lady Eve
Film · 1941
Christmas in July
Film · 1940
Dance, Girl, Dance
Film · 1940
Down Argentine Way
Film · 1940
Mexican Spitfire Out West
Film · 1940
Second Fiddle
Film · 1939
Should Husbands Work?
Film · 1939
Angel of Mercy
Film · 1939
The Buccaneer
Film · 1938
Rich Relations
Film · 1937
I'll Take Romance
Film · 1937
The Great Ziegfeld
Film · 1936
Murder at Glen Athol
Film · 1936
Captain Calamity
Film · 1936
The Sea Fiend
Film · 1936
Camille
Film · 1936
Marihuana (El monstruo verde)
Film · 1936
Storm Over the Andes
Film · 1935
The Devil of the Sea
Film · 1935
Woman Wanted
Film · 1935
The World Moves On
Film · 1934
Caravan
Film · 1934
Let’s Be Ritzy
Film · 1934
Unknown Blonde
Film · 1934
Grand Canary
Film · 1934
Imitation of Life
Film · 1934
Lady for a Day
Film · 1933
Cocktail Hour
Film · 1933
Luxury Liner
Film · 1933
Only Yesterday
Film · 1933
Dishonored
Film · 1931
Drácula
Film · 1931
Curmudgeon
Film · 1930
Bold Love
Film · 1930
East is West
Film · 1930
El Cuerpo del Delito
Film · 1930
The Exalted Flapper
Film · 1929
Fleetwing
Film · 1928
4 Devils
Film · 1928
The Legion of the Condemned
Film · 1928
Mother Knows Best
Film · 1928
The Red Dance
Film · 1928
Sins of the Fathers
Film · 1928
Ankles Preferred
Film · 1927
The Wizard
Film · 1927
Sunrise: A Song of Two Humans
Film · 1927
A Man About Town
Film · 1927
The Heart of Salome
Film · 1927
The Canyon of Light
Film · 1926
What Price Glory
Film · 1926
The Black Pirate
Film · 1926
The Lily
Film · 1926