He Was Once (1989)
Comedy, Animation
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
Writer: Mary Hestand
The 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)
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