Barry Norton
Encyclopedia
Barry Norton was an Argentine-born actor in American films. He appeared in over ninety films from 1925 until the time of his death. He is perhaps best known for his role as Juan Harker in the Spanish-language version of Dracula
(1931), produced by Universal Pictures
.
in 1905. His birth name was Alfredo Carlos Birabén.
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. Norton's acting was well received by audiences and critics at the time, and during the silent era he avoided being typecast
as a latin lover
. Said one theater owner in Golden City, Montana: "...Barry 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, albeit in a roundabout way. All the major Hollywood studios started producing alternate-language versions of their prestige productions, and Norton became one of dozens of latino actors utilized by the process. Dracula 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, Norton was one of the few actors who 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 George A. Hirliman's 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, Norton had several 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 South American fiancé in Frank Capra
's Lady for a Day
(1933). Although he would continue to work for another fifteen 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. He died of a heart attack
in Hollywood in 1956.
. In her autobiography Being and Becoming, actress Myrna Loy
wrote that she briefly dated Norton. Other sources link him romantically with Dorothy Dare
and Alice Terry
. In the latter's case, they appear to have been friends rather than lovers.
Dracula (Spanish-language version)
Drácula is a 1931 American Spanish-language horror film directed by George Melford. It is an adaptation of the 1897 novel of the same name by Bram Stoker and was filmed during the night on the same sets that were being used for the 1931 English-language film of the same name...
(1931), produced by Universal Pictures
Universal Pictures
-1920:* White Youth* The Flaming Disc* Am I Dreaming?* The Dragon's Net* The Adorable Savage* Putting It Over* The Line Runners-1921:* The Fire Eater* A Battle of Wits* Dream Girl* The Millionaire...
.
Career
Norton was born to an affluent family in Buenos AiresBuenos Aires
Buenos Aires is the capital and largest city of Argentina, and the second-largest metropolitan area in South America, after São Paulo. It is located on the western shore of the estuary of the Río de la Plata, on the southeastern coast of the South American continent...
in 1905. His birth name was Alfredo Carlos Birabén.
Arriving in Hollywood in the 1920s, Norton first appeared as an extra in The Black Pirate
The Black Pirate
The Black Pirate is a 1926 silent adventure film shot entirely in two-strip Technicolor about an adventurer and a "company" of pirates. It stars Douglas Fairbanks, Donald Crisp, Sam De Grasse, and Billie Dove.-Plot:...
(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
4 Devils
4 Devils was a 1928 American silent drama film directed by German film director F. W. Murnau.-Preservation status:...
(both 1928), which were also very successful. Norton's acting was well received by audiences and critics at the time, and during the silent era he avoided being typecast
Typecasting (acting)
In TV, film, and theatre, typecasting is the process by which a particular actor becomes strongly identified with a specific character; one or more particular roles; or, characters having the same traits or coming from the same social or ethnic groups...
as a latin lover
Latin Lover
Victor Manuel Resendiz Ruiz is a Mexican Luchador and actor. He is best known under his ring name Latin Lover, which he is also credited as for his acting career...
. Said one theater owner in Golden City, Montana: "...Barry 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, albeit in a roundabout way. All the major Hollywood studios started producing alternate-language versions of their prestige productions, and Norton became one of dozens of latino actors utilized by the process. Dracula was one of these films, but Norton also appeared in Spanish-language versions of Paramount on Parade
Paramount on Parade
Paramount on Parade is a all-star revue released by Paramount Pictures, directed by several directors including Edmund Goulding, Dorothy Arzner, Ernst Lubitsch, Rowland V. Lee, A. Edward Sutherland, Victor Heerman, Lothar Mendes, Otto Brower, Edwin H...
(1930), The Benson Murder Case
The Benson Murder Case
The Benson Murder Case is the first novel in the Philo Vance series of mystery novels by S.S. Van Dine, which became a best-seller.-Plot outline:...
(1930), and The Criminal Code
The Criminal Code
The Criminal Code is a Hollywood crime film, directed by Howard Hawks, based on a play by Martin Flavin with cinematic adaptation by screenwriters Seton I...
(1931). In a few cases, Norton was one of the few actors who appeared in both versions of a film. Examples include Storm Over the Andes (Spanish version: Alas sobre El Chaco), The Sea Fiend
Devil Monster
Devil Monster is a 1935 American film directed by S. Edwin Graham. The working title of the film was The Great Manta and it was shown in Great Britain as The Sea Fiend in 1938...
(El diablo del Mar) and George A. Hirliman's Captain Calamity
Captain Calamity (film)
Captain Calamity is a 1936 American film directed by John Reinhardt and starring George Houston.- Cast :*George Houston as Captain Bill Jones / Captain Calamity*Marian Nixon as Madge Lewis*Vince Barnett as Burp*Juan Torena as Mike*Movita as Annana...
(El capitan Tormenta), the latter film reuniting him with Lupita Tovar
Lupita Tovar
Lupita Tovar is a Mexican actress, best known for her starring role in the 1931 Spanish language version of Dracula, filmed in Los Angeles by Universal Pictures at night using the same sets as the Bela Lugosi version, but with a different cast and director.Born as Guadalupe Tovar , in Matías...
, his romantic interest from Dracula.
In addition to roles in Spanish-territory films, Norton had several 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
Jean Parker
-Career:Born as Lois Mae Green in Deer Lodge, Montana, she appeared in 70 movies from 1932 through 1966. She was discovered by Ida Koverman, secretary to MGM mogul Louis B. Mayer, after she saw a poster featuring Parker portraying Father Time. She attended Pasadena schools and graduated from John...
's South American fiancé in Frank Capra
Frank Capra
Frank Russell Capra was a Sicilian-born American film director. He emigrated to the U.S. when he was six, and eventually became a creative force behind major award-winning films during the 1930s and 1940s...
's Lady for a Day
Lady for a Day
Lady for a Day is a 1933 American comedy-drama film directed by Frank Capra. The screenplay by Robert Riskin is based on the short story Madame La Gimp by Damon Runyon...
(1933). Although he would continue to work for another fifteen 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. He died of a heart attack
Myocardial infarction
Myocardial infarction or acute myocardial infarction , commonly known as a heart attack, results from the interruption of blood supply to a part of the heart, causing heart cells to die...
in Hollywood in 1956.
Personal life
Norton is not known to have married and to have had any children, and is believed to have been gayHomosexuality
Homosexuality is romantic or sexual attraction or behavior between members of the same sex or gender. As a sexual orientation, homosexuality refers to "an enduring pattern of or disposition to experience sexual, affectional, or romantic attractions" primarily or exclusively to people of the same...
. In her autobiography Being and Becoming, actress Myrna Loy
Myrna Loy
Myrna Loy was an American actress. Trained as a dancer, she devoted herself fully to an acting career following a few minor roles in silent films. Originally typecast in exotic roles, often as a vamp or a woman of Asian descent, her career prospects improved following her portrayal of Nora Charles...
wrote that she briefly dated Norton. Other sources link him romantically with Dorothy Dare
Dorothy Dare
-Early life:She was born Dorothy Herskind on August 6, 1911 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania . As a child she often sang in church and developed good vocability. She first appeared on stage at the age of seven.-Hollywood years:...
and Alice Terry
Alice Terry
Alice Terry was an American film actress who began her career during the silent film era, appearing in thirty-nine films between 1916 and 1933.-Career:...
. In the latter's case, they appear to have been friends rather than lovers.