Dona Drake

Dona Drake
Dona Drake
	Drake in Kansas City Confidential (1952)
Born	Eunice Westmoreland; November 15, 1914; Miami, Florida, U.S.
Died	June 20, 1989 (aged 74); Los Angeles, California, U.S.
Other names	Una Novella; Rita Novella; Rita Rio; Una Velon (or Una Villon); Rita Shaw; Dona Travilla;
Occupations	Actress; singer; dancer;
Years active	1933–1977
Spouse	William Travilla (m. 1944)
Children	1

Dona Drake (/ˈdoʊnə/ DOH-nə; November 15, 1914 – June 20, 1989) was an American singer, dancer, and film actress in the 1930s and 1940s. She was typically being cast in ethnic roles including Latin American and Middle Easterners. Drake often presented herself as Mexican and went by the names Una Novella^[1] 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",^{[citation needed]} among other names for her musical and dance acts.

^ Lowrance, Dee (September 13, 1942). "Triple Threat Trio From the Torrid Zone". The Montana Standard. Montana, Butte. Every Week Magazine. p. 28. Retrieved August 13, 2016 – via Newspapers.com.

[ms-1] Lowrance, Dee (September 13, 1942). "Triple Threat Trio From the Torrid Zone". The Montana Standard. Montana, Butte. Every Week Magazine. p. 28. Retrieved August 13, 2016 – via Newspapers.com.

[1]

Dona Drake
Drake in Kansas City Confidential (1952)
Born	Eunice Westmoreland (1914-11-15)November 15, 1914 Miami, Florida, U.S.
Died	June 20, 1989(1989-06-20) (aged 74) Los Angeles, California, U.S.
Other names	Una Novella Rita Novella Rita Rio Una Velon (or Una Villon) Rita Shaw Dona Travilla
Occupations	Actress singer dancer
Years active	1933–1977
Spouse	William Travilla (m. 1944)
Children	1