Harry Bromley Davenport
Encyclopedia
Harry Bromley Davenport is an English
director
, producer
as well as in the beginning of his career a film screenwriter
. He is most popular for the famous horror science-fiction video nasty Xtro
(1983).
Following his apprenticeship, Bromley Davenport made his directorial debut with the little seen Whispers of Fear (1976) and co-wrote the screenplay for The Haunting of Julia (1977), which was adapted from the Peter Straub
novel Julia
(1975) and starred Mia Farrow
in the titular role.
His biggest commercial success came in the form of Xtro
(1983) which spawned two unrelated in title only sequels. He made the second installment Xtro II: The Second Encounter
(1991) in the USA, and worked exclusively there ever since.
Bromley Davenport remained within his own low-budget franchise for one for film and hired Daryl Haney
to write the screenplay for Xtro 3: Watch the Skies
(1995). This began an ongoing professional relationship between Bromley Davenport and Daryl Haney, which ultimately changed the direction of Bromley Davenport's career, culminating in a trio of films that are arguably his finest works: Life Among the Cannibals (1996), Erasble You (1998) and the true story Mockingbird Don't Sing
(2001), starring Sean Young
.
Even though he has made many deviations from the exploitation field since Xtro
(1983) the stigma is still attached, as Bromley Davenport himself admits that: "Getting a start in exploitation films, as I did, suddenly became unfashionable about 20 years ago, and such movies are now regarded as smut, despite the fact that they gave Martin Scorsese, Francis Ford Coppola, Jim Cameron, Joe Dante, Jonathan Demme and countless others their first opportunities to direct a professional movie."
In early 2010 Bromley Davenport announced that Xtro 4 is on the way.
English people
The English are a nation and ethnic group native to England, who speak English. The English identity is of early mediaeval origin, when they were known in Old English as the Anglecynn. England is now a country of the United Kingdom, and the majority of English people in England are British Citizens...
director
Film director
A film director is a person who directs the actors and film crew in filmmaking. They control a film's artistic and dramatic nathan roach, while guiding the technical crew and actors.-Responsibilities:...
, producer
Film producer
A film producer oversees and delivers a film project to all relevant parties while preserving the integrity, voice and vision of the film. They will also often take on some financial risk by using their own money, especially during the pre-production period, before a film is fully financed.The...
as well as in the beginning of his career a film screenwriter
Screenwriter
Screenwriters or scriptwriters or scenario writers are people who write/create the short or feature-length screenplays from which mass media such as films, television programs, Comics or video games are based.-Profession:...
. He is most popular for the famous horror science-fiction video nasty Xtro
Xtro
Xtro is a low-budget British science fiction horror film made in 1982 and directed by Harry Bromley Davenport and co-produced by Bob Shaye.-Plot:...
(1983).
Film career
Bromley Davenport entered the film business in 1967 as an assistant to Nicholas RayNicholas Ray
Nicholas Ray was an American film director best known for the movie Rebel Without a Cause....
Following his apprenticeship, Bromley Davenport made his directorial debut with the little seen Whispers of Fear (1976) and co-wrote the screenplay for The Haunting of Julia (1977), which was adapted from the Peter Straub
Peter Straub
Peter Francis Straub is an American author and poet, most famous for his work in the horror genre. His horror fiction has received numerous literary honors such as the Bram Stoker Award, World Fantasy Award, and International Horror Guild Award, placing him among the most-honored horror authors in...
novel Julia
Julia (novel)
Julia is a 1975 novel by Peter Straub. It was the author's third novel, but the second to be published . Julia is notable among Straub's bibliography because it is his first novel to deal with the supernatural. It was published by Coward, McCann & Geoghehgan...
(1975) and starred Mia Farrow
Mia Farrow
Mia Farrow is an American actress, singer, humanitarian, and fashion model.Farrow first gained wide acclaim for her role as Allison Mackenzie in the soap opera Peyton Place, and for her subsequent short-lived marriage to Frank Sinatra...
in the titular role.
His biggest commercial success came in the form of Xtro
Xtro
Xtro is a low-budget British science fiction horror film made in 1982 and directed by Harry Bromley Davenport and co-produced by Bob Shaye.-Plot:...
(1983) which spawned two unrelated in title only sequels. He made the second installment Xtro II: The Second Encounter
Xtro II: The Second Encounter
Xtro II: The Second Encounter is a 1990 horror/science fiction film.-Plot:Scientists at a secret underground complex have found a way to travel to another dimension. Three dimension-travellers are the first to go through the gate - but are soon attacked by something that interrupts the...
(1991) in the USA, and worked exclusively there ever since.
Bromley Davenport remained within his own low-budget franchise for one for film and hired Daryl Haney
Daryl Haney
Daryl Haney , also known by the pen name D. R. Haney, is an American actor, screenwriter, novelist, and essayist.- Film career :...
to write the screenplay for Xtro 3: Watch the Skies
Xtro 3: Watch the Skies
Xtro 3: Watch the Skies is the third film in the low-budget British science fiction/horror Xtro series.-Plot:For years, the government has successfully covered up very real proof of U.F.O.s...
(1995). This began an ongoing professional relationship between Bromley Davenport and Daryl Haney, which ultimately changed the direction of Bromley Davenport's career, culminating in a trio of films that are arguably his finest works: Life Among the Cannibals (1996), Erasble You (1998) and the true story Mockingbird Don't Sing
Mockingbird Don't Sing
Mockingbird Don't Sing is a 2001 American independent film based on the true story of Genie, a modern-day feral child. The film is told from the point of view of Dr. Susan Curtiss , a professor of linguistics at University of California, Los Angeles. Although the film is based on a true story, all...
(2001), starring Sean Young
Sean Young
Sean Young is an American actress, best known for her performance in films from the 1980s such as Blade Runner, Dune, and No Way Out.-Early life:...
.
Even though he has made many deviations from the exploitation field since Xtro
Xtro
Xtro is a low-budget British science fiction horror film made in 1982 and directed by Harry Bromley Davenport and co-produced by Bob Shaye.-Plot:...
(1983) the stigma is still attached, as Bromley Davenport himself admits that: "Getting a start in exploitation films, as I did, suddenly became unfashionable about 20 years ago, and such movies are now regarded as smut, despite the fact that they gave Martin Scorsese, Francis Ford Coppola, Jim Cameron, Joe Dante, Jonathan Demme and countless others their first opportunities to direct a professional movie."
In early 2010 Bromley Davenport announced that Xtro 4 is on the way.