No photo available. Represent Dona Drake? Add or change photos at IMDbPro
STARmeter
SEE RANK
Down 16,957 this week

Dona Drake (1914–1989)

Actress | Soundtrack

Vivacious leading lady in US films of the 40s and early 50s. As Rita Rio, was the bandleader of an all-girl orchestra and girls singing group, The Girl Friends, in the early 1930s. See full bio »

Born:

Rita Novella
in Miami, Florida, USA

Died:

(age 74) in Los Angeles, California, USA
3 videos »

Quick Links:

Create a list  »

Related Lists

image of name
Old Hollywood People I Adore
a list of 35 people by wickedlychels created 6 months ago
 
See all 1 related lists »

Do you have a demo reel?

Add it to your IMDbPage

My Demo Reel -- No description provided.

My Demo Reel

Francine Locke Film Reel -- Family Law (Best Actress, Gideon), Stealing Home (Best Supporting Actress-nom.) 168 Project, True Tale Monster (Albert P. Weisman Award), The Discarded (2011 Feature Release).

Francine Locke Film Reel

David H. Lawrence, XVII - Drama -- On-camera drama reel featuring David H. Lawrence XVII, in scenes from Heroes, The Unit, LOST, and more

David H. Lawrence, XVII - Drama

Melanie Molnar - Reel -- No description provided.

Melanie Molnar - Reel

My Demo Reel -- Includes clips from GLORY DAZE, COMMUNITY and horror film URBAN EXPLORER.

My Demo Reel


Find out more at IMDbPro »

Connect with IMDb

iPhoneiPadAndroidAndroid TabletWindows Phone

Known For


Show Show all  | 
Show by:
Edit

Filmography

Hide HideActress (33 titles)
1955 The Lone Wolf (TV series)
Lee
– The Las Vegas Story (1955) … Lee
 
1955 Soldiers of Fortune (TV series)
Cheu
– The Runaway King (1955) … Cheu
 
1954 City Detective (TV series)
Francesca
– The Gift Shop (1954) … Francesca
 
1954 Princess of the Nile
Mirva
 
1953 Adventures of Superman (TV series)
Joyce
– The Dog Who Knew Superman (1953) … Joyce
 
1953 Down Laredo Way
Narita
 
1953 Son of Belle Starr
Dolores
 
1953 The Bandits of Corsica
Zelda
 
1952 Kansas City Confidential
Teresa
 
1951 Valentino
Maria Torres
 
1950 Fortunes of Captain Blood
Pepita Maria Rosados
 
1949 Beyond the Forest
Jenny
 
1949 The Girl from Jones Beach
Connie Martin
 
1949 The Doolins of Oklahoma
Cattle Annie
 
1948 So This Is New York
Kate Goff/Maid in Play
 
1948 Another Part of the Forest
Laurette Sincee
 
1946 Dangerous Millions
Elena Valdez
 
1946 Without Reservations
Dolores Ortega
 
1944 Hot Rhythm
Mary Adams
 
1943 Let's Face It
Muriel
 
1943 Salute for Three
Dona Drake (as Dona Drake and Her Girl Band)
 
1942 Star Spangled Rhythm
Dona Drake - Swing Shift Skit
 
1942 Road to Morocco
Mihirmah
 
1941 Louisiana Purchase
Beatrice
 
1941 Aloma of the South Seas
Nea
 
1941 Fresh as a Freshman (short) (as Rita Rio)
 
1941 I Look at You (short) (as Rita Rio)
 
1939 Gals and Gallons (short)
Orchestra Leader (as Rita Rio)
 
1938 Beautiful, But Dummies (short)
Model (as Rita Ray)
 
1938 Sweet Shoe (short)
Rita Rio (as Rita Rio)
 
1936 Teddy Bergman's International Broadcast (short)
Rita Rio (as Rita Rio)
 
1936 Strike Me Pink
Mademoiselle Fifi (as Rita Rio)
 
1935 Moonlight and Melody (short) (as Rita Rio)
 
Show ShowSoundtrack (6 titles)
1944 Hot Rhythm (performer: "Headache Jingle Perkins Peaceful Pink Powder", "Where Were You?" 1944, "Right Under My Nose" 1944, "You Gotta Talk Me Into It, Baby" 1944 / "Shampoo Jingle")
 
1943 Salute for Three (performer: "Wha' D'ya Do When It Rains?")
 
1942 Star Spangled Rhythm (performer: "On the Swing Shift")
 
1941 Louisiana Purchase (performer: "LOUISIANA PURCHASE")
 
1939 Rita Rio and Her Orchestra (short) (performer: "My Margarita El Charro", "I Cried for You", "The Look-Look" / as Rita Rio)
 
1936 Strike Me Pink (performer: "The Lady Dances" 1935 - uncredited)
 
Show ShowSelf (4 titles)
1985 Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade (TV special)
Herself
 
1945 Hollywood Victory Caravan (short)
Herself
 
1940 Sweet and Hot (documentary short) (as Rita Rio)
 
1939 Rita Rio and Her Orchestra (short)
Herself (as Rita Rio)
 
Show ShowArchive Footage (1 title)
1954 Superman Flies Again
Joyce
 

Related Videos

Kansas City Confidential -- An ex GI is framed for an armed robbery, put into jail and tortured. When they cannot prove it was him, he goes on a quest to find the culprits and the reasons…he enters into the murky underworld of killers and corrupt policemen. Kansas City Confidential -- An ex-con trying to go straight is framed for a million dollar armored car robbery and must go to Mexico in order to unmask the real culprits. Kansas City Confidential -- An ex-con trying to go straight is framed for a million dollar armored car robbery and must go to Mexico in order to unmask the real culprits.
Edit

Personal Details

Alternate Names:

Dona Drake and Her Girl Band | Rita Ray | Rita Rio
Edit

Did You Know?

Trivia:

Early in her career she worked under the names Una Velon and Rita Shaw. See more »

Star Sign:

Scorpio