Vice Versa (1948): Cast, Plot & Where to Watch
Vice Versa is a 1948 comedy directed by Peter Ustinov, starring Roger Livesey as Paul Bultitude, Anthony Newley and Petula Clark. It runs 1 hour 51 minutes. Stream it on Artiflix.
- Released
- Runtime
- 1h 51m (111 min)
- Director
- Peter Ustinov
- Genre
- Comedy
- Original language
-
English - Studio
- Two Cities Films
- After the credits
- No No extra scene
What Is Vice Versa About?
The premise of Vice Versa without spoilers. The whole story is in the plot summary further down.
Businessman Paul Bultitude is sending his son Dick off to a boarding school when he discovers a magical Indian stone and wishes to be young again. The wish is granted instantly, swapping their bodies. Paul, now a schoolboy, smokes cigars and clings to a strict, conservative view of child‑rearing, while Dick, in his father’s adult body, spends his days sipping lemonade and organizing children’s parties.
Vice Versa Themes & Keywords
· 42 tags- cigar smoking
- male female relationship
- male male relationship
- older male younger male relationship
- stepbrother stepbrother relationship
- older female younger male relationship
- older male young female relationship
- vindication
- reprisal
- bearded man
- 1890s
- young
+30 more Show fewer
- son
- band the musical group
- india
- magic
- boarding school
- wish
- body switching
- body transformation
- expulsion
- mistaken identity
- flashback
- master servant relationship
- school discipline
- adult as child
- england
- dual role
- breaking the fourth wall
- con man
- magical stone
- car
- horseless carriage
- bandstand
- snowball fight
- trial
- duel
- love triangle
- body swap
- child as adult
- role reversal
- based on novel
Where to Watch Vice Versa
Stream it on Artiflix. US availability and prices from JustWatch.
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Vice Versa Cast & Characters
Roger Livesey leads the cast as Paul Bultitude, with Anthony Newley as Dick Bultitude and Petula Clark as Dulcie Grimstone. Directed by Peter Ustinov; 27 actors are credited in all.
-
Director Peter Ustinov
-
Roger Livesey as Paul Bultitude -
Anthony Newley as Dick Bultitude - Petula Clark as Dulcie Grimstone
- Joan Young as Mrs. Grimstone
Also Starring in Vice Versa
· 23 more- David Hutcheson Marmaduke Paradine
- Patricia Raine Alice
- Kay Walsh Florence 'Fanny' Verlane
- James Robertson Justice Dr. Grimstone
- Alfie Bass 1st Urchin
- Harcourt Williams Judge
- James Hayter Bandmaster
- Peter Jones Chawner
- Timothy Bateson Coker
- Bill Shine Lord Gosport
- Kynaston Reeves Dr. Chawner
- Vi Kaley 2nd Nanny
- Vida Hope 1st Nanny
- John Glyn-Jones Bindabun Doss
- Ernest Jay Bowler
- James Kenney Coggs
Show all 27 cast members Show fewer cast members
- Hugh Dempster Col. Ambrose
- Robert Eddison Mr. Blinkhorn
- Stanley Van Beers Earl of Broadstairs
- Frank Tickle Clegg
- Michael McKeag Jolland
- Andrew Blackett Duke of Margate
- Donald Barclay
Vice Versa Plot Summary
What happens in Vice Versa from start to finish, spoilers included, with a timeline of 12 key events. The opening is below; the full summary is a 3-minute read.
Spoilers ahead
The film opens with an elderly Paul Bultitude saying goodbye to his son, Dick Bultitude, and his new daughter-in-law Dulcie Grimstone after their wedding, then turning to the audience—a group of reporters implied by the setup—to share a story he’s long kept secret about the strength of the bond between father and son.
During the British Raj, Marmaduke Paradine steals the Garuda Stone, a magical eye from an Indian idol that grants one wish to its holder. Although warned that the thief will invite bad luck, Paradine returns to England and passes the stone to the recently widowed Paul. The relic lands in capable hands, and the tale of luck and consequence is set in motion.
Full summary
The whole story of Vice Versa, scene by scene
Vice Versa Videos
The clip of Vice Versa.
How Well Do You Know Vice Versa?
10 questions about the story, each with a hint if you get stuck. Pick an answer to see whether you were right.
Question 1 of 10
- Question 1: not answered
- Question 2: not answered
- Question 3: not answered
- Question 4: not answered
- Question 5: not answered
- Question 6: not answered
- Question 7: not answered
- Question 8: not answered
- Question 9: not answered
- Question 10: not answered
Who makes the wish to swap bodies with his son?
Cars in Vice Versa
3 cars on screen, including the 1904 De Dion-Bouton Type V and the 1911 Standard 29½hp.
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1904 De Dion-Bouton Type V Minor role -
1911 Standard 29½hp Minor role -
unknown Minor role
Vice Versa Also Known As
Also known as “小爸爸大儿子”.
- Also known as
-
- 小爸爸大儿子
Seen Vice Versa?
Movies Like Vice Versa
Films with a similar story, tone or audience, including Vice Versa, 18 Again! and Like Father Like Son.
Vice Versa FAQ: Where to Watch, Cast & Runtime
Runtime, release date, director, cast, where to watch and post-credit scenes of Vice Versa, each answered in a sentence.
How long is Vice Versa?
Vice Versa runs 1 hour 51 minutes (111 minutes).
When was Vice Versa released?
Vice Versa was released on January 28, 1948.
Who directed Vice Versa?
Vice Versa was directed by Peter Ustinov.
More films by Peter Ustinov Who is in the cast of Vice Versa?
Vice Versa stars Roger Livesey as Paul Bultitude, Anthony Newley as Dick Bultitude and Petula Clark as Dulcie Grimstone, among 27 credited actors.
Where can I watch Vice Versa?
In the US, Vice Versa is streaming on Artiflix (availability from JustWatch).
Does Vice Versa have a post-credit scene?
No. Vice Versa has no extra scene during or after the credits.
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