Barry Norton
Known for Acting · 111 credits
- Born
- 1905-06-16
- Died
- 1956-08-24
- Place of birth
- Buenos Aires, Argentina
- Also known as
- Alfredo Carlos Birabén
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.
Known For
Four Star Playhouse
1952
as Man in Audience / Backstage Guest (uncredited)
Casablanca
1942
as Gambler at Rick's (uncredited)
Around the World in 80 Days
1956
as Extra (uncredited)
To Catch a Thief
1955
as Frenchman (uncredited)
Strangers on a Train
1951
as Tennis Match Spectator (uncredited)
Sunrise: A Song of Two Humans
1927
as Ballroom Dancer / Kissing Couple (uncredited)
TV Shows (1)
Movies (110)
Casablanca
1942
as Gambler at Rick's (uncredited)
Around the World in 80 Days
1956
as Extra (uncredited)
To Catch a Thief
1955
as Frenchman (uncredited)
Strangers on a Train
1951
as Tennis Match Spectator (uncredited)
Sunrise: A Song of Two Humans
1927
as Ballroom Dancer / Kissing Couple (uncredited)
Camille
1936
as Emile (uncredited)
How to Marry a Millionaire
1953
as Plane Passenger (uncredited)
The Caine Mutiny
1954
as Ship's Officer (uncredited)
A Star Is Born
1954
as Benefit Attendee (uncredited)
White Christmas
1954
as Carousel Club Diner (uncredited)
Written on the Wind
1956
as Courtroom Spectator (uncredited)
Monsieur Verdoux
1947
as Garden Party Guest (uncredited)
Easter Parade
1948
as Diner at Rooftop Show (uncredited)
Lady for a Day
1933
as Carlos
The Lady Eve
1941
as Passenger on Ship (uncredited)
Room for One More
1952
as Boy Scout Ceremony Attendee (uncredited)
The Falcon Takes Over
1942
as Nightclub Patron (Uncredited)
Drácula
1931
as Juan Harker
The Great Ziegfeld
1936
as Nightclub Patron (uncredited)
Imitation of Life
1934
as Young Man Proposing Toast (uncredited)
Christmas in Connecticut
1945
as Restaurant Patron (uncredited)
Hellzapoppin'
1941
as Party Guest (uncredited)
The Big Clock
1948
as Man at Van Barth's (uncredited)
Christmas in July
1940
as Co-Worker in Office (uncredited)
It's Always Fair Weather
1955
as Nightclub Patron (uncredited)
Above Suspicion
1943
as German Cafe Patron (Uncredited)
Without Reservations
1946
as Nightclub Patron (uncredited)
Ziegfeld Girl
1941
as Palm Beach Casino Patron (uncredited)
Hollywood Story
1951
as Christmas Parade Spectator (uncredited)
Dishonored
1931
as Young Lieutenant - Firing Squad
The Merry Widow
1952
as Club Patron (uncredited)
Mission to Moscow
1943
as Ball Guest (uncredited)
Lucky Me
1954
as Diner / Party Guest (uncredited)
Pat and Mike
1952
as Golf Spectator (uncredited)
Dance, Girl, Dance
1940
as Dissaproving Theatre Patron (uncredited)
No Man of Her Own
1950
as Country Club Patron (uncredited)
Pier 23
1951
as Waiter (uncredited)
The Big Street
1942
as Nightclub Patron (uncredited)
The Square Jungle
1955
as Boxing Match Spectator (uncredited)
Hold That Ghost
1941
as Club Patron (uncredited)
The Bronze Screen: 100 Years of the Latino Image in American Cinema
2002
Serenade
1956
as Party Guest (uncredited)
Trouble Along the Way
1953
as Party Guest
On the Riviera
1951
as Party Guest (uncredited)
Variety Girl
1947
as Plane Passenger (uncredited)
Keeper of the Flame
1943
Something to Live For
1952
as Man in Tweeds (uncredited)
Young Man with Ideas
1952
as Lawyer at Seminar (uncredited)
Young Man with a Horn
1950
as Man at Train Station / Café Guest (uncredited)
Mister 880
1950
as Restaurant Diner (uncredited)
The Strange Door
1951
The Gangster
1947
as Nightclub Patron (uncredited)
Born to Be Bad
1950
as Charity Ball Guest (uncredited)
Mexican Spitfire Out West
1940
as Hotel Guest
The Buccaneer
1938
as Villere
You Were Never Lovelier
1942
as One of Maria's Suitors (uncredited)
Slightly Scarlet
1956
Small Town Girl
1953
as Party Guest
Down Argentine Way
1940
as Racetrack Spectator (uncredited)
Only Yesterday
1933
as Jerry (Uncredited)
Caravan
1934
as Young Officer at Beer Garden (Uncredited)
The Black Pirate
1926
as Youth (uncredited)
Woman Wanted
1935
as Nightclub Patron (uncredited)
Rocketship X-M
1950
as Reporter (uncredited)
Grand Canary
1934
as Robert Tranter
Cocktail Hour
1933
as Philippe
The Mexican Spitfire's Baby
1941
as Nightclub Patron
Maisie Goes to Reno
1944
as Nightclub Patron (Uncredited)
The World Moves On
1934
as Jacques Girard (1924)
East Side, West Side
1949
as Del Rio Club Patron (uncredited)
The Toast of New Orleans
1950
as Restaurant Patron (uncredited)
Johnny Allegro
1949
Tom, Dick and Harry
1941
as Bowler (uncredited)
An Innocent Affair
1948
as Rocket Roof Patron (uncredited)
The Lily
1926
as Max de Maigny
Sins of the Fathers
1928
as Tom Spengler
Angel of Mercy
1939
as President Garfield's Secretary (uncredited)
I'll Take Romance
1937
as Juan
Marihuana (El monstruo verde)
1936
as Carlos
Twilight on the Rio Grande
1947
as Rurale
Unknown Blonde
1934
as Bob Parker
Second Fiddle
1939
as Nightclub Patron
Mother Knows Best
1928
as Boy
Luxury Liner
1933
as Prince Vladimir Gleboff
Blue, White and Perfect
1942
as Man at Ship Dock (uncredited)
The Legion of the Condemned
1928
as Byron Dashwood
4 Devils
1928
as Adolf
Niagara Falls
1941
as Hotel Guest (uncredited)
Devil Monster
1946
as Robert Jackson
What Price Glory
1926
as Pvt. Kenneth 'Mother's Boy' Lewisohn
The Jazz Singer
1953
as Nightclub Patron
The Wizard
1927
as Reginald Van Lear
The Red Dance
1928
as Rasputin's Assassin (uncredited)
Storm Over the Andes
1935
as Diaz
Captain Calamity
1936
as Carr
The Exalted Flapper
1929
as Prince Boris of Dacia
Ankles Preferred
1927
as Jimmy
Curmudgeon
1930
The Sea Fiend
1936
as Robert Jackson
Murder at Glen Athol
1936
as Tom Randel
Should Husbands Work?
1939
as Ronald McDonald
Bold Love
1930
A Man About Town
1927
as Amos, a Centerville Clerk
The Devil of the Sea
1935
as Roberto
Let’s Be Ritzy
1934
as Rogers
Fleetwing
1928
as Jaafor
The Heart of Salome
1927
as Henri Bezanne
Rich Relations
1937
as Don Blair
The Canyon of Light
1926
as Ricardo Deane
East is West
1930
as Billy Benson
About 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… With 111 credits spanning from 1926 to 2002, Barry Norton has appeared in 110 films and 1 TV show.
Fans searching for Barry Norton movies, Barry Norton filmography, or the latest projects starring Barry Norton can stream many of these titles on Bowood.TV, free and in HD, with no subscription required.
Most Popular Barry Norton Movies
- Casablanca (1942) — as Gambler at Rick's (uncredited)
- Around the World in 80 Days (1956) — as Extra (uncredited)
- To Catch a Thief (1955) — as Frenchman (uncredited)
- Strangers on a Train (1951) — as Tennis Match Spectator (uncredited)
- Sunrise: A Song of Two Humans (1927) — as Ballroom Dancer / Kissing Couple (uncredited)
Where to Watch Barry Norton Films
Most Barry Norton movies and series are available to stream on Bowood.TV in full HD, completely free and without signup. Browse the complete filmography above to jump directly to any title. For more films and the latest web series featuring Barry Norton, check our movies catalogue and browse page.