He Was Once
6.5
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.
Where to watch
Not streaming anywhere
Not on any streaming service in United States, and not available to rent.
Your rating
Your review
Cast
14 people
Todd Adams
Davey
No other roles listed
Salvador Barone
Dad
Also in
The Equalizer
Muddy Hands
Stephen Kazmierski
Barry Ellsworth
Also in
Opia
Mary Hestand
Susan Norman
Sally
Known for
Knight Rider 2000
Safe
Alan Tubbs
Emma Strahs
Mom
No other roles listed
Christine Vachon
Melissa Gardner
Shirley
Also in
Wag the Dog
Honor and Glory
Todd Haynes
Randy
Known for
Superstar: The Karen Carpenter Story
Julia Haltigan
The Bear
Also in
La Cocina
Mary Hestand Director · Alan Tubbs Composer Stephen Kazmierski Cinematographer
United States release November 1, 1989 · Produced in United States
Production
Apparatus Productions
Production
United States
Produced in
Languages
Original language
English
Spoken on screen
English
Release dates
United States · November 1, 1989
Theatrical
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Some details come from TheTVDB.