He Was Once (1989)
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
Genre: Comedy, Animation
Runtime: 16 min
Release Date: November 1, 1989
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)
Screenplay
Music: Alan Tubbs
Cinematography: Stephen Kazmierski
Editing: Barry Ellsworth
Production: Apparatus Productions
Country: United States of America
Language: English
Original Language: en
Themes
Parody and Spoof, Dark Comedy and Irony
Keywords
satire, short film
More Films by Director: Mary Hestand
Frequently Asked Questions
- What is He Was Once about?
- 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.
- Who directed He Was Once?
- He Was Once was directed by Mary Hestand.
- Who stars in He Was Once?
- He Was Once stars Todd Adams, Salvador Barone, Susan Norman, Emma Strahs, Melissa Gardner, Todd Haynes.
- How long is He Was Once?
- He Was Once has a runtime of 16m (16 minutes).
- What genre is He Was Once?
- He Was Once is a Comedy, Animation film.
- Where was He Was Once produced?
- He Was Once was produced in United States of America.
- What are the themes of He Was Once?
- The themes of He Was Once include: Parody and Spoof, Dark Comedy and Irony.