Dona Drake

Dona Drake ( ; November 15, 1914 – June 20, 1989) was an American singer, dancer, and film actress in the 1930s and 1940s. She was typically cast in ethnic roles including Latin American and Middle Easterners. Drake often presented herself as Mexican and went by the names Una Novella and Rita Novella. As Rita Rio, she led a touring all-girl orchestra in the early 1940s, also known as "Dona Drake and her Girl Band", among other names for her musical and dance acts.

Early life Drake was born Eunice Westmoreland in Miami, Florida The 1920 United States census, taken in Florida, records her and her parents as being mulatto. The 1930 United States census, taken in Pennsylvania, records her and her parents as being negro. The 1950 United States census, taken in Pennsylvania, records her father and brother as negro and Drake (under the name Dona Travilla), taken in California, as white. Drake was of African American heritage. Drake often presented herself as Hispanic and reportedly spoke Spanish but had no documented Hispanic, Spanish, or Latin American heritage. Her father was from Arkansas and her mother was from Alabama.

Career

Entering show business in the 1930s, she used the names Una Velon (pronounced YOO-nə; also spelled Una Villon), Rita Rio and Rita Shaw. The newspapers of the day ascribed her billed-name changes to “Rita Shaw,” and then to “Dona Drake,” as Paramount’s.

Una Villon She began performing in 1932, working under the name Una Villon as a chorus girl and in nightclubs.

Rita Rio and Rita Shaw She began using the name Rita Rio in 1935, when she was featured at the Paradise cabaret on Broadway. Besides singing and dancing, she sometimes played piano, trumpet, clarinet, saxophone and drums and occasionally led the orchestra.

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 (borrowing her mother's first name as a new last). They had one daughter: Nia Novella Travilla (August 16, 1951 – October 1, 2002), who had no children. They remained a couple until her death.

Filmography

+ Film and television Year Title Role Notes 1935 Moonlight and Melody Rita Short, credited as Rita Rio 1936 Strike Me Pink Mademoiselle Fifi credited as Rita Rio 1938 Sweet Shoe Rita Rio Short, credited as Rita Rio 1938 Beautiful, But Dummies Model Short, credited as Rita Ray 1939 Gals and Gallons Orchestra Leader credited as Rita Rio 1939 Rita Rio and Her Orchestra Rita Rio Short, played self in this 10-minute short 1941 Fresh as a Freshman Chicquita Short 1941 Aloma of the South Seas Nea first film credit as Dona Drake 1954 Princess of the Nile Mirva 1954 The Lone Wolf Lee Episode: "Deadline" 1954 City Detective Francesca Episode: "The Gift Shop" 1955 Soldiers of Fortune Cheu Episode: "The Runaway King"

Preservation Sweet Shoe was preserved and restored by the UCLA Film & Television Archive from 16mm prints. Restoration funding was provided by a grant from the GRAMMY Museum. The restoration had its world premiere at the 2024 UCLA Festival of Preservation.