VICE VERSA

UK, 1948, 111 minutes, Black and white.
Roger Livesey, Anthony Newley, Kay Walsh, Petula Clark.
Directed by Peter Ustinov.

Vice Versa is an entertaining piece of Victoriana. It was written for the screen and directed by Peter Ustinov (in his mid-20s at the time). Roger Livesey enjoys himself heartily as the Victorian car manufacturer who is transformed into his son - and his son into him. Anthony Newly shows star quality in his performance as the young son. Also in the cast are James Robertson Justice doing his usual turn as the bombastic headmaster and a young Petula Clark as his daughter.

The film re-creates the atmosphere of the end of the 19th century - with a touch of the musical hall. An entertaining comedy. It was updated in a re-make of the late 80s with the same title, Vice Versa starring Judge Reinhold and T.V's Wonder Years Fred Savage as his son. At the same period a similar film, Like Father, Like Son, was made with Dudley Moore as the father and Growing Pains Kirk Cameron as the son. Another variation of the period was 18 Again with Charlie Schlatter turning into his grandfather George Burns and vice versa. However, the best of the films on this theme in 1988 was Big with Tom Hanks.

1. An entertaining comedy? British style? The 40s?

2. The work of Peter Ustinov, his comic talent? The style of the credits? The music hall entertainment? The re-creation of period, decor and costumes? Black and white photography? The whimsical score?

3. The flashback framework, Bultitude’s voice over and commentary?

4. The credibility of the plot? India, the magic eye, the wishes, the reversal of roles of father and son? Expectations of the title?

5. The prologue in India: Bultitude's brother-in-law, the Imperial attitudes, the Indians mocking the tourists? The statue, the eye, the greed of the British? The wishes - and the ironic way they were put into practice?

6. Bultitude and his life style, position in society? His work, inventions? His relationship with his son, severe and distant, not being able to talk to him? The discussion about school? His lady-friend? The return of his brother-in-law, the building of the cars, the wheeler dealing of the brother-in-law with the woman?

7. Bultitude's son, at school, the severity of education in those days? James Robertson Justice as the bombastic headmaster, his presence and appearance, way of speaking? His daughter and the infatuation between the two children? The discussions of the son with the father about school? The build-tip to the wishes, the magic eye, the change and the special effects for father becoming son and vice versa?

8. The son as the father, managing the household, acting in a childish way, Roger Livesey’s style as performing as a little boy? Flirting with the maid, at work, the clash with the lady friend, the brother-in-law, the cars, wanting sherbet? The cars and their success, his visit to the school? The clash with the head, relationship with his daughter? Being severe on his father?

9. The father as the son and Anthony Newly's style imitating the adult? Going back to school, caught in impossible situations, on the train, discussions with the headmaster, reporting the boys, being bullied, the condemnations of the headmaster, punishment, the sports sequences, the dormitory? Punishment? The visit of his son? Experiencing a school boy's dilemmas?

10. The head and his bombastic style and manner, putting his daughter in the corner, being, told off by his wife? Domineering - for example, on the sports field and his
kicking the ball? Treatment of visitors? Money for the school?

11. The exposure of the brother-in-law and his schemes, the woman her plots? Bultitude's disillusionment?

12. The irony of the success of the cars, after Bultitude’s initial comments? His marrying the maid - and his being bossed about?

13. The Victorian era, inventions, into the Edwardian period, cars?

14. A piece of Victoriana, humorous and witty, acting styles and parody, the fantasy of the what if...? screenplay?