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Barry Norton

December 28, 2022

Barry Norton (born Alfredo Carlos Birabén; June 16, 1905 – August 24, 1956) was an Argentine-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.

Barry Norton
Norton in 1927
Born
Alfredo Carlos Birabén

June 16, 1905
Buenos Aires, Argentina
DiedAugust 24, 1956 (aged 51)
Hollywood, California, United States
Years active1925–1956

Early life

Norton was born to an affluent family in Buenos Aires on June 16, 1905. His birth name was Alfredo Carlos Birabén.[citation needed] In 1923, he emigrated to the United States as a second cabin class passenger under the name of Carlos Manuel A. Biraben on the S/S Vestris, which had sailed from Buenos Aires, 12 March, and arrived at the Port of New York on 1 April 1923. Years later, he became a naturalized United States citizen.

Career

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'."[1]

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.[2]

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.[3] 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.

Personal life

Norton was married to Josephine Byers, a woman from California by whom he had a daughter, Sharon, and two grandchildren. 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.[4]

Death

On August 24, 1956, Norton died of a heart attack in Hollywood, California. He was 51 years old.[citation needed] He died penniless and his old Hollywood friends – among them Antonio Moreno, Gilbert Roland, Gertrude Astor, Philo McCullough and Charles Morton – took up a collection to pay for his cremation, which required the permission of his brother in Buenos Aires.[5]

Selected filmography

References

  1. ^ Profile, cinemaweb.com; accessed July 4, 2015.
  2. ^ Rodriguez, Clara. Heroes, Lovers, and Others: The Story of Latinos in Hollywood. Oxford University Press, 2008. ISBN 9780195335132
  3. ^ Barry Norton Video 8 September 2009 at the Wayback Machine
  4. ^ Slide, Anthony. Silent Topics; Scarecrow, 2005, p. 48
  5. ^ "(unknown title)". Quad City Times. September 8, 1956. Retrieved December 2, 2017 – via newspapers.com.

External links

 
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Barry Norton.

December 28, 2022
barry, norton, born, alfredo, carlos, birabén, june, 1905, august, 1956, argentine, american, actor, appeared, over, films, starting, silent, films, from, 1925, until, death, 1956, perhaps, best, known, role, juan, harker, universal, pictures, spanish, languag. Barry Norton born Alfredo Carlos Biraben June 16 1905 August 24 1956 was an Argentine 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 Dracula in 1931 the English language role of Jonathan Harker originated by David Manners Barry NortonNorton in 1927BornAlfredo Carlos BirabenJune 16 1905Buenos Aires ArgentinaDiedAugust 24 1956 aged 51 Hollywood California United StatesYears active1925 1956 Contents 1 Early life 2 Career 3 Personal life 4 Death 5 Selected filmography 6 References 7 External linksEarly life EditNorton was born to an affluent family in Buenos Aires on June 16 1905 His birth name was Alfredo Carlos Biraben citation needed In 1923 he emigrated to the United States as a second cabin class passenger under the name of Carlos Manuel A Biraben on the S S Vestris which had sailed from Buenos Aires 12 March and arrived at the Port of New York on 1 April 1923 Years later he became a naturalized United States citizen Career EditArriving 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 1 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 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 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 2 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 3 In 1933 he secured what would be his last important role playing Jean Parker s Spanish fiance 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 Personal life EditNorton was married to Josephine Byers a woman from California by whom he had a daughter Sharon and two grandchildren 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 4 Death EditOn August 24 1956 Norton died of a heart attack in Hollywood California He was 51 years old citation needed He died penniless and his old Hollywood friends among them Antonio Moreno Gilbert Roland Gertrude Astor Philo McCullough and Charles Morton took up a collection to pay for his cremation which required the permission of his brother in Buenos Aires 5 Selected filmography EditThe Black Pirate 1926 The Lily 1926 What Price Glory 1926 The Canyon of Light 1926 Sunrise A Song of Two Humans 1927 The Wizard 1927 Legion of the Condemned 1928 Fleetwing 1928 The Red Dance 1928 Mother Knows Best 1928 4 Devils 1928 Sins of the Fathers 1928 The Exalted Flapper 1929 El cuerpo del delito 1930 Amor audaz 1930 Galas de la Paramount 1930 Oriente y occidente 1930 El codigo penal 1931 Dishonored 1931 Dracula 1931 El pasado acusa 1931 Luxury Liner 1933 Cocktail Hour 1933 Lady for a Day 1933 Unknown Blonde 1934 Let s Be Ritzy 1934 The World Moves On 1934 Grand Canary 1934 Imitation of Life 1934 Anna Karenina 1935 Storm Over the Andes 1935 Alas sobre El Chaco 1935 Captain Calamity 1936 El capitan Tormenta 1936 Camille 1936 The Sea Fiend 1936 El diablo del Mar 1936 Marihuana El monstruo verde 1936 Camille 1936 History Is Made at Night 1937 Hollywood Hotel 1937 The Buccaneer 1938 El trovador de la radio 1938 Second Fiddle 1939 Should Husbands Work 1939 Dance Girl Dance 1940 One Night in the Tropics 1940 My Life with Caroline 1941 Casablanca 1942 Gambler at Rick s uncredited Above Suspicion 1943 Zombies on Broadway 1945 The Razor s Edge 1946 Three Little Girls in Blue 1946 Monsieur Verdoux 1947 Angel on the Amazon 1948 Strangers on a Train 1951 uncredited What Price Glory 1952 Yankee Pasha 1954 The Caine Mutiny 1954 A Star Is Born 1954 So This Is Paris 1955 Ain t Misbehavin 1955 To Catch a Thief 1955 It s Always Fair Weather 1955 The Girl in the Red Velvet Swing 1955 Meet Me in Las Vegas 1956 The She Creature 1956 Around the World in 80 Days 1956 Runaway Daughters 1956 Mister Cory 1957 References Edit Profile cinemaweb com accessed July 4 2015 Rodriguez Clara Heroes Lovers and Others The Story of Latinos in Hollywood Oxford University Press 2008 ISBN 9780195335132 Barry Norton Video Archived 8 September 2009 at the Wayback Machine Slide Anthony Silent Topics Scarecrow 2005 p 48 unknown title Quad City Times September 8 1956 Retrieved December 2 2017 via newspapers com External links Edit Wikimedia Commons has media related to Barry Norton Barry Norton at IMDb Barry Norton at the TCM Movie Database Barry Norton at AllMovie Barry Norton profile Virtual History com Profile ovguide com Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Barry Norton amp oldid 1129008635, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,

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