Menahem Golan (Hebrew: מנחם גולן; May 31, 1929 – August 8, 2014) was an Israeli director and producer. He produced movies for such stars as Sean Connery, Sylvester Stallone, Chuck Norris, Jean-Claude Van Damme, and Charles Bronson, and was known for a period as a producer of comic book-style movies like Masters of the Universe, Superman IV: The Quest for Peace, Captain America, and his aborted attempt to bring Spider-Man to the silver screen. Using the pen name of Joseph Goldman, Golan also wrote and "polished" film scripts. He was co-owner of Golan-Globus with his cousin Yoram Globus. Golan produced about 200 films, directed 44, won 8 times the Violin David Awards and The Israel Prize in Cinema.
For me a director is a director, he dictates the piece, creates it and I need to help him. The producer brings together all the elements that make it possible for the director to make the film - develop the script, hire the actors, hire the director and then work together with him. The director is the architect and the producer is the engineer.
2
I make films, love them, sometimes I also do an excellent job. I don't consider myself an Ingmar Bergman, I don't make "message" films. I make them for the audience in the theater who doesn't get bored, laughs at a comedy, cries at a tragedy, with a lot of emotion. I'm hoping that there's still a future.
3
The film business is the only business where a negative is a positive.
4
If you make an American film with a beginning, a middle and an end, with a budget of less than five million dollars, you must be an idiot to lose money.
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Fact
1
Co-founder of Israeli film production company Noah Films.
2
Started US production company 21st Century Pictures.
3
Purchased Britain's Elstree Studios. [1986]
4
Purchased UK production company Thorn-EMI Screen Entertainment. [1986]
5
He grew up in Tiberius, a city located in northern Israel, on the western shore of the Sea of Galilee.
6
Along with his cousin, Yoram Globus, bought the Cannon Group production company in 1979 and ran it throughout the 1980s. Because of their fast, low-budget style of filmmaking, they earned the nickname the Go-Go Boys.
Producer
Title
Year
Status
Character
Missing in Action
1984
producer
Maria's Lovers
1984
executive producer
Ninja III: The Domination
1984
producer
Exterminator 2
1984
executive producer
Bolero
1984
executive producer
I'm Almost Not Crazy: John Cassavetes - the Man and His Work
1984
Documentary producer
Ordeal by Innocence
1984
executive producer
Sword of the Valiant: The Legend of Sir Gawain and the Green Knight
1984
producer
The Naked Face
1984
producer
The Ambassador
1984
producer
Making the Grade
1984
executive producer
Breakin'
1984
executive producer
Grace Quigley
1984
producer
Over the Brooklyn Bridge
1984
producer
Love Streams
1984
producer
Edut Me'ones
1984
producer
The Big Tease: Here Comes Another One
1984
producer
Sahara
1983
producer
Revenge of the Ninja
1983
producer
Sababa
1983
producer
Hercules
1983
producer
The Wicked Lady
1983
producer
Nana
1983
producer
10 to Midnight
1983
executive producer
One More Chance
1983
executive producer
Treasure of the Four Crowns
1983
executive producer
House of the Long Shadows
1983
producer
I sette magnifici gladiatori
1983
executive producer
Roman Za'ir
1983
producer
That Championship Season
1982
executive producer
The Last American Virgin
1982
producer
Death Wish II
1982
producer
Sapiches
1982
producer
X-Ray
1981
producer
Body and Soul
1981
producer
Enter the Ninja
1981
producer - uncredited
Lady Chatterley's Lover
1981
executive producer
Shifshuf Naim
1981
producer
New Year's Evil
1980
producer
Dr. Heckyl and Mr. Hype
1980
producer
Seed of Innocence
1980
producer
The Apple
1980
producer
Schizoid
1980
producer
The Happy Hooker Goes Hollywood
1980
producer
The Godsend
1980
executive producer
Imi Hageneralit
1979
producer
The Magician of Lublin
1979
producer
Going Steady
1979
producer
Nisuin Nusah Tel Aviv
1979
producer
The Alaska Wilderness Adventure
1978
producer
Uranium Conspiracy
1978
producer
Lemon Popsicle
1978
producer
Yisraelim Matzhikim
1978
producer
Vengeance
1977
producer
Mivtsa Yonatan
1977
producer
The Passover Plot
1976
executive producer
Diamante Lobo
1976
producer
Lupo B'New York
1976
producer
Mishpahat Tzan'ani
1976
producer
Diamonds
1975
producer
The Four Deuces
1975
executive producer
The House on Chelouche Street
1973
producer
Abu el Banat
1973
producer
Kazablan
1973
producer
Escape to the Sun
1972
producer
I Love You Rosa
1972
producer
Malkat Hakvish
1971
producer
Ha-Pritza Hagdola
1970
producer
Lupo!
1970
producer
Margo Sheli
1969
producer
Tuvia Vesheva Benotav
1968
producer
Nes B'Ayara
1968
producer
999 Aliza: The Policeman
1967
producer
Fortuna
1966
producer
Einer spielt falsch
1965
producer
Sallah
1964
producer
Shemona B'Ekevot Ahat
1964
producer
Allan Quatermain and the Jewel of the East
executive producer announced
Rak Klavim Ratzim Hofshi
2007
producer
Children of Wax
2007
producer
Rikud Mesukan
2007
producer
Yamim Shel Ahava
2005
producer
Open Heart
2002
producer
Impossible Love
2002
Video short producer
Crime and Punishment
2002
producer
Death Game
2001
producer
Kumite
2000
producer
After Sex
2000
executive producer
Escape to Grizzly Mountain
2000
executive producer
Days of Love
1999
TV Movie producer
Lima: Breaking the Silence
1999
producer
Speedway Junky
1999
co-executive producer
Armstrong
1998
producer
Stickfighter
1994
executive producer
Death Wish V: The Face of Death
1994
executive producer
Dead Center
1993
producer
Emmanuelle VI
1993
executive producer
Mad Dog Coll
1993
producer
Teenage Bonnie and Klepto Clyde
1993
executive producer
Silent Victim
1993
TV Movie producer
American Cyborg: Steel Warrior
1993
executive producer
Invader
1992
executive producer
Prison Planet
1992
executive producer - uncredited
Desert Kickboxer
1992
executive producer
Hit the Dutchman
1992
producer
Dance Macabre
1992
producer
The Finest Hour
1992
producer
Killing Streets
1991
producer
Captain America
1990
producer
Bullseye!
1990
executive producer / producer
Street Hunter
1990
executive producer - uncredited
Night of the Living Dead
1990
executive producer
O Quinto Macaco
1990
producer
Death Warrant
1990
producer - uncredited
Bad Jim
1990
executive producer
The Forbidden Dance
1990
executive producer
The Rose Garden
1989
producer - uncredited
The Phantom of the Opera
1989
executive producer / producer
Mack the Knife
1989
executive producer
Cyborg
1989
producer
Sinbad of the Seven Seas
1989
producer - uncredited
Kinjite: Forbidden Subjects
1989
executive producer
A Cry in the Dark
1988
executive producer
I giorni randagi
1988
producer
Hanna's War
1988
producer
Doin' Time on Planet Earth
1988
producer
Messenger of Death
1988
executive producer
Manifesto
1988
producer
Haunted Summer
1988
executive producer
Hero and the Terror
1988
executive producer
Journey to the Center of the Earth
1988
producer
Puss in Boots
1988
producer
The Frog Prince
1988
producer
Salsa
1988
producer
Business as Usual
1988
executive producer
Appointment with Death
1988
executive producer
Alien from L.A.
1988
producer
Bloodsport
1988
producer
Mercenary Fighters
1988
producer
Powaqqatsi
1988
Documentary executive producer
Braddock: Missing in Action III
1988
producer
Red Riding Hood
1988
producer
Death Wish 4: The Crackdown
1987
executive producer
Under Cover
1987
producer
Dancers
1987
producer
Surrender
1987/I
executive producer
The Kitchen Toto
1987
executive producer
Masters of the Universe
1987
producer
Superman IV: The Quest for Peace
1987
producer
Sleeping Beauty
1987
producer
Too Much
1987
producer
King Lear
1987
producer
Tough Guys Don't Dance
1987
producer
The Emperor's New Clothes
1987
producer
Going Bananas
1987
producer
Snow White
1987
producer
Mascara
1987
executive producer
American Ninja 2: The Confrontation
1987
producer
Barfly
1987
executive producer
Hansel and Gretel
1987
producer
Shy People
1987
producer
Beauty and the Beast
1987
producer
Rumpelstiltskin
1987
producer
The Hanoi Hilton
1987
producer
Street Smart
1987
producer
The Barbarians
1987
producer
Down Twisted
1987
producer
Number One with a Bullet
1987
producer
Over the Top
1987
producer
Assassination
1987
executive producer
Duet for One
1986
producer
Aladdin
1986
producer
Allan Quatermain and the Lost City of Gold
1986
producer
Firewalker
1986
producer
52 Pick-Up
1986
producer
Avenging Force
1986
producer
Otello
1986
producer
The Texas Chainsaw Massacre 2
1986
producer
Detective School Dropouts
1986
producer
Invaders from Mars
1986
producer
Cobra
1986
producer
Dangerously Close
1986
executive producer
Salomè
1986
producer
Murphy's Law
1986
executive producer
America 3000
1986
producer
Field of Honor
1986
producer
The Naked Cage
1986
executive producer - uncredited
The Delta Force
1986
producer
Malkat Hakitah
1986
producer
Camorra (A Story of Streets, Women and Crime)
1985
producer
Fool for Love
1985
producer
King Solomon's Mines
1985
producer
Runaway Train
1985
producer
Death Wish 3
1985
producer
The Berlin Affair
1985
producer
Invasion U.S.A.
1985
producer
War and Love
1985
executive producer
Le soulier de satin
1985
executive producer
American Ninja
1985
producer
Hot Chili
1985
producer
Thunder Alley
1985
executive producer
Lifeforce
1985
producer
Rappin'
1985
producer
Up Your Anchor
1985
producer
The Assisi Underground
1985
producer
The Adventures of Hercules II
1985
producer - uncredited
Déjà Vu
1985
producer
Mata Hari
1985
executive producer
Nine Deaths of the Ninja
1985
executive producer
Ahava Ilemeth
1985
producer
Missing in Action 2: The Beginning
1985
producer
Ha-Me'ahev
1985
producer
Hot Resort
1985
producer
Breakin' 2: Electric Boogaloo
1984
producer
Writer
Title
Year
Status
Character
Allan Quatermain and the Jewel of the East
screenplay announced
Oy Vey! My Son Is Gay!!
2009
writer - as Joseph Goldman
Marriage Agreement
2008
screenplay
Children of Wax
2007
screenplay / story
Rikud Mesukan
2007
Yamim Shel Ahava
2005
written by
Final Combat
2003
writer - as Joseph Goldman
Crime and Punishment
2002
adaptation - as Joseph Goldman / screenplay
Kumite
2000
as Joseph Goldman
Lima: Breaking the Silence
1999
written by
The Versace Murder
1998
writer
Armstrong
1998
written by
Put K Slave
1997
Dead Center
1993
from a story by - as Joseph Goldman
Deadly Heroes
1993
story - as Joseph Goldman
Hit the Dutchman
1992
screenplay - as Joseph Goldman
Killing Streets
1991
story - as Joseph Goldman
Delta Force 2: The Colombian Connection
1990
characters
The Forbidden Dance
1990
story
Mack the Knife
1989
screenplay
Hanna's War
1988
written by
Under Cover
1987
uncredited
Going Bananas
1987
written by
The Delta Force
1986
written by
Hot Chili
1985
as Joseph Goldman
Sahara
1983
story
Revenge of the Ninja
1983
based on an idea by - uncredited
The Apple
1980
screenplay
The Magician of Lublin
1979
screenplay
Mivtsa Yonatan
1977
Diamonds
1975
Kazablan
1973
Escape to the Sun
1972
Shod Hatelephonim Hagadol
1972
Katz V'Carasso
1971
Malkat Hakvish
1971
Ha-Pritza Hagdola
1970
Lupo!
1970
Margo Sheli
1969
writer
What's Good for the Goose
1969
screenplay / story
Commandos
1968
short story
Tuvia Vesheva Benotav
1968
writer
999 Aliza: The Policeman
1967
Fortuna
1966
El Dorado
1963
writer
Director
Title
Year
Status
Character
Marriage Agreement
2008
Rikud Mesukan
2007
Yamim Shel Ahava
2005
Final Combat
2003
Open Heart
2002
Crime and Punishment
2002
Death Game
2001
Kumite
2000
Lima: Breaking the Silence
1999
The Versace Murder
1998
Armstrong
1998
Put K Slave
1997
The Road to Glory
1997
Die Tunnelgangster von Berlin
1996
TV Movie
Luise knackt den Jackpot
1995
Russian Roulette - Moscow 95
1995
Deadly Heroes
1993
Silent Victim
1993
TV Movie
Hit the Dutchman
1992
Mack the Knife
1989
Hanna's War
1988
Over the Top
1987
The Delta Force
1986
Over the Brooklyn Bridge
1984
Enter the Ninja
1981
The Apple
1980
The Magician of Lublin
1979
Uranium Conspiracy
1978
Mivtsa Yonatan
1977
Diamonds
1975
Lepke
1975
Kazablan
1973
Escape to the Sun
1972
Shod Hatelephonim Hagadol
1972
Katz V'Carasso
1971
Malkat Hakvish
1971
Ha-Pritza Hagdola
1970
Lupo!
1970
Margo Sheli
1969
What's Good for the Goose
1969
Tuvia Vesheva Benotav
1968
999 Aliza: The Policeman
1967
Fortuna
1966
Einer spielt falsch
1965
Dalia Vehamalahim
1964
Shemona B'Ekevot Ahat
1964
El Dorado
1963
Actor
Title
Year
Status
Character
Rikud Mesukan
2007
Security guard in the show
Love Hurts
2004
TV Series
Dana's Dad
Armstrong
1998
Russian President
Zihron Devarim
1995
Nelo
Deadly Heroes
1993
Fisherman (as Joseph Goldman)
Hit the Dutchman
1992
Hymie Weinstock (as Joseph Goldman)
El Dorado
1963
Miscellaneous
Title
Year
Status
Character
Death Wish V: The Face of Death
1994
presenter
Death Wish II
1982
presenter
The Young Racers
1963
production assistant
Music Department
Title
Year
Status
Character
The Forbidden Dance
1990
lyrics co-written by
Mack the Knife
1989
lyrics written and adapted by
Assistant Director
Title
Year
Status
Character
The Young Racers
1963
assistant director
Editor
Title
Year
Status
Character
Kazablan
1973
english version
Production Manager
Title
Year
Status
Character
The Young Racers
1963
production manager
Thanks
Title
Year
Status
Character
Reyes
2017
special thanks: RIP pre-production
Escape from Ensenada
2017
dedicatee completed
The Go-Go Boys: The Inside Story of Cannon Films
2014
Documentary special thanks
Self
Title
Year
Status
Character
Golan: A Farewell to Mr Cinema
2015
Documentary
Himself
Hollywood Banker
2014
Documentary
Himself
Le grand journal de Canal+
2014
TV Series documentary
Himself (Interview)
The Go-Go Boys: The Inside Story of Cannon Films
2014
Documentary
Himself
The Big Eden
2011
Documentary
Himself
Seret Shachor Lavan
2011
Documentary
Himself
A History of Israeli Cinema
2009
Documentary
You Will Believe: The Cinematic Saga of Superman
2006
Video documentary
Himself
Seret Me'Ha'Haim
2002
Documentary
Himself
Hype with John Stossel
2000
TV Movie documentary
Himself
Shooting Versace
1998
TV Movie documentary
Himself
Cannes Man
1997
Himself
Cinema of Vengeance
1994
Documentary
Himself
Eurotrash
1993
TV Series documentary
Himself
Est & Ouest: Les paradis perdus
1993
Documentary
Himself
Talking Pictures
1988
TV Series documentary
Himself
The Media Show
1987
TV Series documentary
Himself
Omnibus
1986
TV Series documentary
Himself
Archive Footage
Title
Year
Status
Character
The 87th Annual Academy Awards
2015
TV Special
Himself - Producer, Director (In Memoriam)
Electric Boogaloo: The Wild, Untold Story of Cannon Films
2014
Documentary
Himself
Won Awards
Year
Award
Ceremony
Nomination
Movie
2010
Raimondo Rezzonico Award
Locarno International Film Festival
1984
Lifetime Achievement Award
Jerusalem Film Festival
1980
Stinker Award
The Stinkers Bad Movie Awards
Worst Sense of Direction (Stop them before they direct again!)