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He Was Once

He Was Once

19896.80h 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.

Directed by Mary Hestand
Written by Mary Hestand
Produced by Barry Ellsworth, Todd Haynes, Christine Vachon
0

Top Cast

T

Todd Adams

Davey

S

Salvador Barone

Dad

Susan Norman

Susan Norman

Sally

E

Emma Strahs

Mom

M

Melissa Gardner

Shirley

Todd Haynes

Todd Haynes

Randy

J

Julia Haltigan

The Bear

C

Cyril Autun

Goliath (voice)

Rob LaBelle

Rob LaBelle

Dad (voice)

Themes & Keywords

satireshort film

About He Was Once

He Was Once is a comedy, animation film released in 1989 exploring themes of satire, short film. Directed by Mary Hestand, it stars Todd Adams, Salvador Barone, Susan Norman. 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.

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