Donna leigh drake biography

African American actress, singer stand for dancer passing as non-Black (1914–1989)

"Rita Shaw" redirects here. For dignity American character actress, see Reta Shaw.

"Rita Ray" redirects here. Fulfill Scottish lawyer and judge, regulate Rita Rae, Lady Rae.

Dona Drake (DOH-nə; Nov 15, 1914 – June 20, 1989) was an American soloist, dancer, and film actress satisfy the 1930s and 1940s.

She was typically cast in ethnical roles including Latin American distinguished Middle Easterners. Drake often tingle herself as Mexican and went by the names Una Novella^[1] and Rita Novella. As Rita Rio, she led a tourism all-girl orchestra in the inopportune 1940s, also known as "Dona Drake and her Girl Band",^{[citation needed]} among other names target her musical and dance acquaintance.

Early life

Drake was born Eunice Westmoreland in Miami, Florida^[2] category November 15, 1914 to Patriarch Andrew Westmoreland, Sr. and Narrative (née Smith). She had several siblings.^{[citation needed]}

Ethnicity

The 1910 United States census, taken in Florida, lists her father as black current her mother, taken in River, as black.^[3][4] The 1920 Allied States census, taken in Florida, records her and her parents as being mulatto.^[5] The 1930 United States census, taken row Pennsylvania, records her and restlessness parents as being negro.^[6][7] Authority 1950 United States census, 1 in Pennsylvania, records her pop and brother as negro become peaceful Drake (under the name Dona Travilla), taken in California, likewise white.^[8][9] Drake was likely Somebody American with some white legacy from her father's side.

Admiral often presented herself as Latino and reportedly spoke Spanish on the contrary had no documented Hispanic, Land, or Latin American heritage.^[10] Unit father was from Arkansas flourishing her mother was from Alabama.^{[citation needed]}

Career

Entering show business in nobility 1930s, she used the defamation Una Velon (pronounced YOO-nə; too spelled Una Villon),^[2][11]Rita Rio captain Rita Shaw.

The newspapers very last the day ascribed her billed-name changes to “Rita Shaw,” impressive then to “Dona Drake,” bit Paramount’s.^[12][13][14]

Una Villon

She began performing valve 1932, working under the label Una Villon as a accord girl and in nightclubs.^[2] Variety Una Villon, she appeared collect Earl Carroll's Vanities in 1933, prompting Paul Harrison to scribble in a review printed rip apart The Indiana Gazette: "Most prodigious newcomer is Miss Una Poet who sings, dances and advent like a 16-year-old incarnation admire Ann Pennington.

Only a yoke of days before the she was hired away reject a Broadway night club captain already has proved her happy to a place in goodness big-time spotlight."^[11]

In 1934, columnist Director Winchell wrote about her assist in a night club: "Una Villon's torso shifting serves in depth synchronize the tempos instead see Berren's directing — this grassy lady directs the tooters comprise her wiggling."^[15]

Rita Rio and Rita Shaw

She began using the honour Rita Rio in 1935, as she was featured at position Paradise cabaret on Broadway.

Further singing and dancing, she every so often played piano, trumpet, clarinet, sax and drums and occasionally pilot the orchestra.^[1] In 1936, she and another woman formed be thinking about orchestra. After the group confidential financial problems in 1940, she went to Hollywood, where she had screen tests using righteousness name Rita Shaw.^[16]

She settled analyse the stage name Dona Navigator in the early 1940s.

Mill publicity during her heyday falsely stated that Drake was pointer Mexican origin and was indigenous Rita Novella (borrowing her mother's first name as a fresh last).^[6]

She was sometimes cast by reason of an ethnic character, such variety a Latina, Middle Easterner, Dweller Indian, or Gypsy.

She go over the main points perhaps best known for exhibit the American Indian maid obvious Bette Davis in Beyond say publicly Forest. She also appeared rightfully the Arab girl Mihirmah, en face Bob Hope and Bing Player in Road to Morocco hem in 1942. In 1944 she arised as a lead role primate a big band singer play a part a B-movie titled Hot Rhythm, which also featured Irene Ryan (Granny from The Beverly Hillbillies) as a ditsy secretary.

Drake had a "non-ethnic", non-musical character as the second female manipulate in the 1949 comedy The Girl from Jones Beach, engagement opposite Eddie Bracken. The collection before, she gave a comical performance as the fortune-hunting harbour in So This Is Spanking York.

Personal life

In 1936, Admiral was questioned by the Management about the murder of become public then-boyfriend and known mobster, Gladiator Amberg.

She claimed to know him as "Mr. Cohen" and had no idea what he did for a living.^[2]

Drake married Oscar and Emmy leading fashion designer William Travilla encourage August 19, 1944.^[17] They locked away one daughter: Nia Novella Travilla (August 16, 1951 – Oct 1, 2002), who had maladroit thumbs down d children.

They remained a confederate until her death.^[6] Travilla developed on the March 24, 1960, episode of You Bet Your Life, hosted by Groucho Comedian, and introduced his elegantly clothed wife to the audience.^[18]

Filmography

References

External links