He Was Once (1989)

  • NR
  • 11/01/1989 (US)
  • Comedy, Animation
  • 16m

Overview

This bizarre parody of the animated religious children’s show Davey and Goliath uses actors but looks like Claymation because of the stop motion, distorted voices, giant prosthetic ears and hair and sets that make Pee-Wee’s Playhouse look realistic. Davey’s father whips him with a belt for saying that he saw a bear, though he really did see a bear, while his sister looks on in glee. His dog Goliath, actually a leopard-skin footrest with a grotesque tail, tries to help but gets whipped too. Oedipal dream sequences and Davey’s revenge are also highlights in this unforgettable and darkly hilarious suburban nightmare.

Mary Hestand

Director, Writer

Cast

Todd Adams's headshot

Todd Adams

Davey
Salvador Barone's headshot

Salvador Barone

Dad
Susan Norman's headshot

Susan Norman

Sally
Emma Strahs's headshot

Emma Strahs

Mom
Melissa Gardner's headshot

Melissa Gardner

Shirley
Todd Haynes's headshot

Todd Haynes

Randy
Julia Haltigan's headshot

Julia Haltigan

The Bear
Cyril Autun's headshot

Cyril Autun

Goliath (voice)

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