See that old guy straining his tuxedo’s buttons? He was the greatest action star of the 1980s. He was Menahem Golan, who–alongside his partner Yoram Globus–produced some of the most amazing low-budget action films of the decade. He directed a few, too, and knocked out plenty of screenplays. The dynamic duo were the geniuses behind Cannon Films, who churned out lots of low-budget trash while also indulging themselves in the occasional indie arthouse film. [photo: lberto E. Rodriguez/Getty]
Menahem also brought hip-hop culture to white suburbia with Breakin’ and Breakin’ 2: Electric Boogaloo, and made a few legitimately great movies like 52 Pick-Up. Sadly, Menahem Golan has passed away at the age of 85 years old. Here are some trailers to a few of our favorite Cannon films. Some are clunkers, some really deserve to be treated seriously, and some are just baffling. None of them are boring. Cannon did not make boring films. Take a look for yourself, and try to guess which of these was also directed by Menahem. Hint: it wasn’t a box-office knock-out…
The Last American Virgin (1982)
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zmsly1UOeMk]
The Texas Chainsaw Massacre 2 (1986)
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PmSHmr4gJoo]
10 To Midnight (1983)
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v8y0YIQrhNw]
Masters of the Universe (1987)
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Kfy0mgAx2-0]
Over The Top (1987)
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gB5iDUnx0iY]
Lifeforce (1985)
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BTM0lAiSJ6w]
Schizoid (1980)
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uep7iYmz6fM]
Captain America (1990)
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cs8rFsmhNTc]
Rappin’ (1985)
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DGgojBIeWuA]
