He Was Once

He Was Once (1989) is a comedy, animation film directed by Mary Hestand rated 6.8/10.

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.

Cast

Todd Adams

Davey

Salvador Barone

Dad

Susan Norman

Sally

Emma Strahs

Mom

Melissa Gardner

Shirley

Todd Haynes

Randy

Julia Haltigan

The Bear

Cyril Autun

Goliath (voice)

Rob LaBelle

Dad (voice)