Monja Danischewsky
Monja Danischewsky was a British producer and writer, born in Archangel into a Russian-Jewish family who left Russia for England in 1919 and who produced and wrote the films Topkapi and Rockets Galore! and others.
Biography
Early life
Monja Danischewsky's family left Russian [Soviet Federative Socialist Republic|Russia] for United [Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland|Great Britain] in 1919.Career
Monja started out with various publicity jobs, then to Ealing Studios as publicity director in 1938 and occasional writer. Monja switched to producing in 1949; and later became an independent producer The [Galloping Major (film)|The Galloping Major] ; returned as producer/writer in mid-1950s and continued briefly after Ealing ended; Rockets Galore and The [Battle of the Sexes (1959 film)|The Battle of the Sexes]. Monja has written two books about his experiences in the film industry. Autobiography, 'White Russian, Red Face', 1966. and 'Out of my Mind', a collection of anecdotes, 1972.Personal life
Monja was known as Danny to friends and fellow filmmakers. He married Brenda Danischewsky and they had 3 children. In later life he moved to Farnham, Surrey with his wife. He died there at the age of 83.Filmography
As writer
- Undercover
- Bitter Springs
- The Galloping Major
- Meet Mr. Lucifer
- The Love Lottery
- Rockets Galore!
- The Battle of [the Sexes (1959 film)|The Battle of the Sexes]
- Two and Two Make Six
- Topkapi
- Mister Moses
- Avalanche
- ''That Lucky Touch''
As producer
- Whisky Galore!
- The Galloping Major
- Meet Mr. Lucifer
- The Love Lottery
- The Battle of the Sexes
- Two and Two Make Six
- Avalanche
- ''Run Wild, Run Freedom''
Published works
- White Russian, Red Face
- Out of My Mind
- short memoir by Danischewsky of Barnett Freedman, in Emma Mason, ''Tales of Barnett Freedman''