He Was Once

Story

Synopsis

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.

Director

Mary Hestand

Writers

Mary Hestand

Language

English

Country

United States of America

Release date

1 November 1989

Ensemble

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)