BN
Barry Norton
Actor
Died August 24, 1956 (51 years)
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
| 1956 | Slightly Scarlet · as Man at Campaign Headquarters |
| 1956 | The Eddy Duchin Story · as Party Guest |
| 1956 | Bundle of Joy · as Department Store Employee |
| 1956 | The Benny Goodman Story · as Man in Audience at Carnegie Hall |
| 1956 | The She-Creature · as Party Guest |
| 1956 | The Price of Fear · as Unknown |
| 1956 | Serenade · as Party Guest (uncredited) |
| 1956 | Death of a Scoundrel · as Party Guest |
| 1956 | Written on the Wind · as Unknown |
| 1956 | Meet Me in Las Vegas · as Casino Patron |
| 1956 | Runaway Daughters · as Party Guest |
| 1956 | Around the World in 80 Days · as Extra (uncredited) |
| 1955 | To Catch a Thief · as Frenchman |
| 1955 | It's Always Fair Weather · as Nightclub Patron |
| 1955 | Interrupted Melody · as Party Guest |
| 1955 | The Girl in the Red Velvet Swing · as Man in Audience |
| 1955 | Strange Lady in Town · as Party Guest |
| 1955 | Ain't Misbehavin' · as Party Guest |
| 1954 | A Star Is Born · as Benefit Attendee |
| 1954 | White Christmas · as Carousel Club Diner |
| 1954 | There's No Business Like Show Business · as Nightclub Patron |
| 1954 | Lucky Me · as Diner |
| 1954 | Susan Slept Here · as Nightclub Patron |
| 1954 | Rhapsody · as Customer at Ritz Bar |
| 1954 | Yankee Pasha · as Clerk in Marseilles |
| 1954 | The Caine Mutiny · as Ship's Officer (uncredited) |
| 1953 | How to Marry a Millionaire · as Plane Passenger |
| 1953 | Trouble Along the Way · as Party Guest |
| 1953 | No Escape · as Party Guest |
| 1953 | The French Line · as Ship Passenger |
| 1953 | Money from Home · as Hunt Club Ball Guest |
| 1953 | Small Town Girl · as Party Guest |
| 1953 | Confidentially Connie · as Professor |
| 1953 | The Robe · as Citizen |
| 1952 | Pat and Mike · as Golf Spectator |
| 1952 | Deadline - U.S.A. · as Nightclub Patron |
| 1952 | What Price Glory · as Priest |
| 1952 | Something to Live For · as Man in Tweeds |
| 1952 | Young Man with Ideas · as Lawyer at Seminar (uncredited) |
| 1952 | No Holds Barred · as Party Guest |
| 1952 | The Jazz Singer · as Nightclub Patron |
| 1952 | Room for One More · as Boy Scout Ceremony Attendee (uncredited) |
| 1952 | Mr. & Mrs. North (TV Series) · as Restaurant Patron |
| 1952 | Four Star Playhouse (TV Series) · as Backstage Guest |
| 1951 | Strangers on a Train · as Tennis Match Spectator |
| 1951 | Royal Wedding · as Backstage Guest |
| 1951 | The Big Night · as Nightclub Patron |
| 1951 | Lullaby of Broadway · as Ship Passenger |
| 1951 | I Was a Communist for the F.B.I. · as Communist Agitator at Meeting |
| 1951 | Payment on Demand · as Ship Passenger |
| 1951 | Three Guys Named Mike · as Nightclub Patron |
| 1951 | Rich, Young and Pretty · as Dinner Guest |
| 1950 | Young Man with a Horn · as Man at Train Station |
| 1950 | Rocketship X-M · as Reporter (uncredited) |
| 1950 | No Man of Her Own · as Country Club Patron |
| 1950 | Born to Be Bad · as Charity Ball Guest |
| 1950 | Mister 880 · as Restaurant Diner |
| 1950 | Key to the City · as Hotel Guest |
| 1949 | The Gal Who Took the West · as Officer at Party |
| 1949 | That Midnight Kiss · as Operagoer |
| 1949 | East Side, West Side · as Del Rio Club Patron |
| 1949 | The Sun Comes Up · as Music Lover |
| 1949 | Outpost in Morocco · as Nightclub Patron |
| 1948 | The Big Clock · as Man at Van Barth's |
| 1948 | The Velvet Touch · as Autograph Fan |
| 1948 | Casbah · as Pilot |
| 1948 | An Innocent Affair · as Rocket Roof Patron (uncredited) |
| 1948 | Angel on the Amazon · as Brazilian Reporter |
| 1948 | Easter Parade · as Diner at Rooftop Show |
| 1947 | Song of the Thin Man · as Casino Patron |
| 1947 | Monsieur Verdoux · as Garden Party Guest (uncredited) |
| 1947 | Violence · as Man at Airport |
| 1947 | Twilight on the Rio Grande · as Rurale |
| 1946 | Without Reservations · as Nightclub Patron (uncredited) |
| 1946 | The Razor's Edge · as Princess Novemali's Escort |
| 1945 | Brewster's Millions · as Man at Yacht Party |
| 1945 | Christmas in Connecticut · as Restaurant Patron |
| 1944 | Once Upon a Time · as Man at Audition |
| 1944 | Storm Over Lisbon · as Casino Guest |
| 1944 | Maisie Goes to Reno · as Nightclub Patron (Uncredited) |
| 1943 | Above Suspicion · as German Cafe Patron (Uncredited) |
| 1942 | Casablanca · as Gambler at Rick's (uncredited) |
| 1942 | Keeper of the Flame · as Unknown |
| 1942 | You Were Never Lovelier · as One of Maria's Suitors (uncredited) |
| 1942 | The Falcon Takes Over · as Nightclub Patron (Uncredited) |
| 1942 | To the Shores of Tripoli · as Man at Bar |
| 1942 | The Big Street · as Nightclub Patron (Uncredited) |
| 1941 | Hellzapoppin' · as Party Guest |
| 1941 | Ziegfeld Girl · as Palm Beach Casino Patron (Uncredited) |
| 1941 | Sun Valley Serenade · as Nightclub Patron |
| 1941 | Blood and Sand · as Dinner Guest |
| 1941 | Bedtime Story · as Audience Member |
| 1941 | My Life with Caroline · as Cocktail Club Patron |
| 1941 | Road Show · as Carnival Patron |
| 1941 | Niagara Falls · as Hotel Guest |
| 1941 | Sunset in Wyoming · as Country Club Guest |
| 1941 | Playmates · as Rhumba Dancer |
| 1941 | Scotland Yard · as Officer |
| 1941 | The Lady Eve · as Passenger on Ship (uncredited) |
| 1940 | Dance, Girl, Dance · as Dissaproving Theatre Patron (uncredited) |
| 1940 | Down Argentine Way · as Racetrack Spectator (uncredited) |
| 1938 | The Goldwyn Follies · as Party Guest |
| 1938 | The Buccaneer · as Villere |
| 1937 | History Is Made at Night · as Bit Part |
| 1937 | Hollywood Hotel · as Man at Premiere |
| 1936 | The Great Ziegfeld · as Nightclub Patron |
| 1936 | Camille · as Emile (uncredited) |
| 1936 | Captain Calamity · as Carr |
| 1936 | The Criminal Within · as Tom Randel |
| 1935 | Anna Karenina · as Kitty's Suitor |
| 1934 | Imitation of Life · as Young Man Proposing Toast (uncredited) |
| 1934 | The World Moves On · as Jacques Girard (1924) |
| 1934 | Nana · as Lieutenant Louis |
| 1933 | Lady for a Day · as Carlos |
| 1931 | Dishonored · as Young Lieutenant - Firing Squad |
| 1928 | The Red Dance · as Rasputin's Assassin (uncredited) |
| 1927 | Sunrise · as Ballroom Dancer / Kissing Couple (uncredited) |
| 1926 | The Black Pirate · as Youth (uncredited) |