R.I.P. - Menahem Golan (1929 - 2014)

Menahem Golan has passed away. Any die hard action fan should recognize the name Golan if they have ever seen films such as Enter the Ninja, Over the Top, Death Wish 4: The Crackdown, Masters of the Universe, Superman IV: The Quest for Peace, Cyborg, American Ninja, Cobra, The Delta Force, Invasion U.S.A., Missing In Action, Ninja III: The Domination, Exterminator 2, and countless upon countless other action films. Menahem was a producer of many low budget schlocky action films in the 70's, 80's and early 90's. He and his cousin Yoram produced over 200 films and even created their own production company. They also directed a few of their films as well.

Golan is a lot like the iconic producer Roger Corman. He produced numerous action films on very low budgets and churned out either crappy, decent, or quality action films (my personal favorite film he ever had his hands on is none other than Death Wish 4: The Crackdown). Much like Corman, many of Golan's films are a joke to critics but beloved by die hard film buffs. He and his cousin produced fun and crappy movies that gave actors like Chuck Norris and Charles Bronson all of their work in the 1980's. It is also worth mentioning that Menahem and Yoram distributed several hit foreign films in the United States. He even has an Oscar nomination to his name for producing Operation Thunderbolt (as well as numerous Razzies). 

Golan is also notable for being one of the very first producers to really see the potential of superhero films. Golan produced Captain America (1990), Superman IV: The Quest for Peace, and almost produced the very first screen adaptation of Spider-Man. Even though all of these films are pure crap, Golan is to be commended for trying to breakout into the superhero business before Marvel Studios and Warner Bros. started churning out superhero films in the mid to late 2000's.

Whenever I see a movie with Golan's name on it, I get a smile to my face. I know exactly what I am in for and expect a low budget-schlock filled time. He's really just a lesser known Roger Corman and his name should be known better. Sure his action films were no Commando, First Blood, or Die Hard. However, they had a special quality of their own and the word Cannon Group is synonymous with Golan and his action films. Rest in peace to Cannon Group and Menahem Golan!