Vice Versa (1948)

User Rating:

6.3/10   

Director:

Peter Ustinov

Writers:

F. Anstey (novel)
Peter Ustinov (written by)

Release Date:

January 1948 (UK)

Genre:

Comedy

Plot:

Businessman Paul Bultitude is sending his son Dick to a boarding school. While holding a magic stone from India...

Plot Keywords:

Wish | Body Swap | Child As Adult | Role Reversal | Based On Novel

Cast

Roger Livesey	...	Paul Bultitude
Kay Walsh	...	Florence 'Fanny' Verlane
Petula Clark	...	Dulcie Grimstone
David Hutcheson	...	Marmaduke Paradine
Anthony Newley	...	Dick Bultitude
James Robertson Justice	...	Dr. Grimstone
Patricia Raine	...	Alice
Joan Young	...	Mrs. Grimstone
Vida Hope	...	1st Nanny
Vi Kaley	...	2nd Nanny
Ernest Jay	...	Bowler
Kynaston Reeves	...	Dr. Chawner
Harcourt Williams	...	Judge
Bill Shine	...	Lord Gosport
Andrew Blackett	...	Duke of Margate

Runtime:

111 min

Country:

UK

Language:

English

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1

Sound Mix:

Mono (Western Electric Recording)

Certification:

UK:U

Filming Locations:

Denham Studios, Denham, Buckinghamshire, England, UK

Company:

George H. Brown Productions

Movie Connections:

Remade as Vice Versa (1988)

Extremely broad humor and not the greatest example of British humor, but still a watchable film in spite of this pedigree

Roger Livesey and Anthony Newley play a father and son at the end of the 19th century. Livesey is stuffy and distant and Newley is a rather normal boy who is cursed to live at a rather harsh and humorless boys school. However, by accident they switch bodies and both learn what it's like to live in the other's place AND there are many complications that arise from this unwanted switch.

I love British comedies--especially the lovely and rather subtle films from Ealing Studios as well as some of the comedies of Peter Sellers and Alec Guinness. They are extremely clever and funny with a gentle sense of humor. However, VICE VERSA is not such a British film. While it is occasionally funny, the humor is also extremely blatant and "in your face"--far from subtle or sophisticated. You can tell this will be the tone of this film starting with the opening titles that hit you up side the head--almost as if they are yelling "this is funny, dang it, so laugh!!". Well, I don't need my humor infused with a tiny hint of Benny Hill, thank you, though I still did enjoy this movie as a harmless time-passer and nothing else.