He Was Once
He Was Once
1989, English. Directed by Mary Hestand.
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.
- Runtime
- 0h 16m
- Post-credits
- None listed
- Language
- English
- Rated
- Check local
Start now and it ends at ….
Too new to call
Not enough people have rated it yet for a verdict.
Seen it? Give your verdict.
Saved privately on this device.
Where to watch He Was Once
He Was Once isn’t streaming on any OTT platform in India yet; it released on 1 November 1989.
No streaming listings yet. Search JustWatch.
Cast & crew
Details
- Released
- 1 November 1989
- Country
- United States of America
- Written by
- Mary Hestand
Check ratings elsewhere
News & fan talk
If you liked He Was Once

South Park (Not Suitable for Children)
2023 · 7.4/10
Worth the HypeRecommended by TMDB viewers

Baseball Bugs
1946 · 6.9/10
Popcorn FlickRecommended by TMDB viewers

The Big Bad Wolf
1934 · 6.5/10
Popcorn FlickRecommended by TMDB viewers

A Knight for a Day
1946 · 6.6/10
Popcorn FlickRecommended by TMDB viewers

Ferdinand the Bull
1938 · 6.7/10
Popcorn FlickRecommended by TMDB viewers

The Drawn Together Movie: The Movie!
2010 · 6.4/10
Popcorn FlickRecommended by TMDB viewers

Sea Scouts
1939 · 6.4/10
Popcorn FlickRecommended by TMDB viewers

The Art of Skiing
1941 · 7.0/10
Worth the HypeRecommended by TMDB viewers

Mickey's Steam Roller
1934 · 6.4/10
Popcorn FlickRecommended by TMDB viewers

Mickey and the Seal
1948 · 6.8/10
Popcorn FlickRecommended by TMDB viewers
He Was Once: quick answers
Is He Was Once worth watching?
He Was Once doesn’t have enough ratings for a verdict yet.
How long is He Was Once?
He Was Once runs 16 minutes (0h 16m).
Does He Was Once have a post-credits scene?
None is listed for He Was Once. Viewers tag these on TMDB, so a brand-new film may not be tagged yet.
He Was Once parents guide: is it suitable for kids?
No age rating is listed for He Was Once yet.
Which OTT platform is He Was Once on?
He Was Once isn’t streaming on any OTT platform in India yet; it released on 1 November 1989. (Checked 10 November 2026.)
What movies are like He Was Once?
If you liked He Was Once, try South Park (Not Suitable for Children), Baseball Bugs, The Big Bad Wolf.
Who directed He Was Once?
He Was Once (1989) was directed by Mary Hestand and stars Todd Adams, Salvador Barone, Susan Norman.