- Dona Drake
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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.
Filmography
Film and television 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 References
- ^ a b Dona Drake at the Internet Movie Database
- ^ a b "Dona Drake - The Private Life and Times of Dona Drake. Dona Drake Pictures.". http://www.glamourgirlsofthesilverscreen.com/show/76/Dona+Drake/index.html. Retrieved 2010-10-16.
- ^ Rita Rio and Her Orchestra at the Internet Movie Database
- ^ "Superman Flies Again > Cast - AllMovie". http://www.allmovie.com/work/superman-flies-again-148241/cast. Retrieved 2010-10-16.
- ^ Superman Flies Again (1954) at the Internet Movie Database
External links
- Dona Drake at Find a Grave
- Dona Drake at the Internet Movie Database
- Dona Drake at AllRovi
- Dona Drake at the TCM Movie Database
Categories:- American film actors
- 1914 births
- 1989 deaths
- American singer stubs
- American film actor, 1910s birth stubs
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