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 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''