| Dona Drake | |
|---|---|
| Born | Eunice Westmoreland November 15, 1914 Miami, Florida, U.S. |
| Died | June 20, 1989 (aged 74) Los Angeles, California, U.S. |
| Other names | Rita Rio, Una Velon, Rita Shaw[1] |
| Occupation | Actress, singer, dancer |
| Years active | 1933–1977 |
| Spouse | William Travilla (1944-1989) (her death) |
Dona Drake (November 15, 1914 – June 20, 1989) was an American singer, dancer and film actress in the 1930s and 1940s. She was born Eunice Westmoreland in Miami, Florida, in 1914. Entering show business in the 1930s, she used the names Una Velon, Rita Rio and Rita Shaw.[1] She settled on the stage name Dona Drake in the early 1940s. Studio publicity during her heyday incorrectly stated that Drake was of Mexican origin and was born Rita Novella.[2] (Novella was actually her mother's first name.)
Because of her dark hair and Latin-looking features, Drake generally played Latin or other "ethnic" types. She is probably best known for playing the American Indian maid of Bette Davis in Beyond the Forest. She also appeared as an Arab girl opposite Bob Hope in Road to Morocco in 1942. Her biggest "non-ethnic" role was the second female lead in the 1949 comedy The Girl from Jones Beach, playing opposite Eddie Bracken. She died in 1989.
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1935 | Moonlight and Melody | Rita | credited as Rita Rio |
| 1936 | Strike Me Pink | Mademoiselle Fifi | credited as Rita Rio |
| 1938 | Sweet Shoe | Rita Rio | credited as Rita Rio |
| 1938 | Beautiful, But Dummies | Model | credited as Rita Ray |
| 1939 | Gals and Gallons | Orchestra Leader | credited as Rita Rio |
| 1939 | Rita Rio and Her Orchestra | Rita Rio | played self in this 10 minute short[3] |
| 1941 | I Look at You | Rita Rio | |
| 1941 | Fresh as a Freshman | Rita Rio | |
| 1941 | Aloma of the South Seas | Nea | first film credit as Dona Drake[2] |
| 1941 | Louisiana Purchase | Beatrice | |
| 1942 | Road to Morocco | Mihirmah | credited as Dona Drake |
| 1943 | Star Spangled Rhythm | herself | performs song "On the Swing Shift" with Marjorie Reynolds and Betty Jane Rhodes |
| 1943 | Salute for Three | Dona Drake and Her Girl Band | credited as Dona Drake |
| 1943 | Let's Face It! | Muriel | |
| 1944 | Hot Rhythm | Mary Adams | |
| 1946 | Without Reservations | Dolores Ortega | |
| 1946 | Dangerous Millions | Elena Valdez | |
| 1948 | Another Part of the Forest | Laurette Sincee | |
| 1948 | So This Is New York | Kate Goff | |
| 1949 | The Doolins of Oklahoma | Cattle Annie | |
| 1949 | The Girl from Jones Beach | Connie Martin | |
| 1949 | Beyond the Forest | Jenny | |
| 1950 | Fortunes of Captain Blood | Pepita Maria Rosados | |
| 1951 | Valentino | Maria Torres | |
| 1952 | Kansas City Confidential | Teresa | |
| 1953 | The Bandits of Corsica | Zelda | |
| 1953 | Son of Belle Starr | Dolores | |
| 1953 | Down Laredo Way | Narita | |
| 1953 | Adventures of Superman | Joyce | episode 35 "The Dog Who Knew Superman" 9th episode of 1953; aired 14 November |
| 1954 | Superman Flies Again | Joyce | theatrical re-release of 3 episodes of the television series included episode 35[4][5] |
| 1954 | Princess of the Nile | Mirva | |
| 1954 | City Detective | Francesca | 1 episode |
| 1955 | Soldiers of Fortune | Cheu | 1 episode |
| 1955 | The Lone Wolf | Lee | 1 episode |