Vice Versa
Encyclopedia
Vice Versa: A Lesson to Fathers is a novel
by F. Anstey, first published in 1882.
The title originates from the Latin
phrase, "vice versa", meaning "the other way around".
which is ruled by the cane wielding headmaster Dr. Grimstone. Bultitude, seeing his son's fear of going to the school, foolishly says that schooldays are the best years of a boy's life, and how he wished that he was the one so doing.
At this point, thanks to a handy magic stone brought by an uncle from India which grants the possessor one wish, they are now on even terms. Dick, now holding the stone, is ordered by his father to turn him back into his own body, but Dick refuses, and decides instead to become his father, and so the fun begins. Mr. Bultitude has to begin the new academic term
at his son's boarding school, while Dick gets a chance to run his father's business in the City
. In the end, they are both restored to their own bodies, with a better understanding of each other.
. Dr. Grimstone was played by veteran radio actor Ralph Truman
. An early example of sound magic before the days of tape meant that when the father succeeds in his wish to be just like his son going off to school, juvenile actor John Clark had to talk to himself. So he had to pre-record the father's dialogue on the 15 inch disks used at that time, and leave gaps for the son's character to speak. After much careful rehearsal, the broadcast went out live, with amazing naturalistic speech overlaps, leaving the listener quite astonished. Young Clark was auditioned by Peter Ustinov and cast in the film version, with a seven year Rank contract. But it wasn't to be, his agent had overlooked a clause in his Just William
theatre contract, an option to repeat the tour across England for another year (a disastrous decision). So the film producers looked around some more, and came up with Anthony Newley, fresh out of the Italia Conti Academy
.
, written and directed by Peter Ustinov
, which starred Roger Livesey
as Paul Bultitude and introduced Anthony Newley
as young Dick. The 1981 ITV
adaptation featured Peter Bowles
as Paul Bultitude. The 1988 film version
, adapted into a modern setting, did not credit F. Anstey's contribution in its initial release (but kept the title), starring Judge Reinhold
and Fred Savage
as the father and son.
and Summer Switch by Mary Rodgers are modern re-tellings of the same story.
Vice Versa is mentioned on the sixth chapter of Under the Volcano
.
Novel
A novel is a book of long narrative in literary prose. The genre has historical roots both in the fields of the medieval and early modern romance and in the tradition of the novella. The latter supplied the present generic term in the late 18th century....
by F. Anstey, first published in 1882.
The title originates from the Latin
Latin
Latin is an Italic language originally spoken in Latium and Ancient Rome. It, along with most European languages, is a descendant of the ancient Proto-Indo-European language. Although it is considered a dead language, a number of scholars and members of the Christian clergy speak it fluently, and...
phrase, "vice versa", meaning "the other way around".
Plot summary
Set in Victorian times, the novel concerns business man Paul Bultitude and his son Dick. Dick is about to leave home for a boarding schoolBoarding school
A boarding school is a school where some or all pupils study and live during the school year with their fellow students and possibly teachers and/or administrators. The word 'boarding' is used in the sense of "bed and board," i.e., lodging and meals...
which is ruled by the cane wielding headmaster Dr. Grimstone. Bultitude, seeing his son's fear of going to the school, foolishly says that schooldays are the best years of a boy's life, and how he wished that he was the one so doing.
At this point, thanks to a handy magic stone brought by an uncle from India which grants the possessor one wish, they are now on even terms. Dick, now holding the stone, is ordered by his father to turn him back into his own body, but Dick refuses, and decides instead to become his father, and so the fun begins. Mr. Bultitude has to begin the new academic term
Academic term
An academic term is a division of an academic year, the time during which a school, college or university holds classes. These divisions may be called terms...
at his son's boarding school, while Dick gets a chance to run his father's business in the City
City of London
The City of London is a small area within Greater London, England. It is the historic core of London around which the modern conurbation grew and has held city status since time immemorial. The City’s boundaries have remained almost unchanged since the Middle Ages, and it is now only a tiny part of...
. In the end, they are both restored to their own bodies, with a better understanding of each other.
Radio
The BBC made a six part radio series in 1947, adapted and produced by Felix Felton. Paul Bultitude was played by Ronald Simpson, and his mischievous son Dick by John ClarkJohn Clark (actor/director)
Ivan John Clark is an English actor, director, producer, and writer with British, American and Canadian citizenship. He is also known as the ex-husband of actress Lynn Redgrave, to whom he was married for 33 years.-Early career:...
. Dr. Grimstone was played by veteran radio actor Ralph Truman
Ralph Truman
Ralph Truman was an English actor, usually cast as either a villain or an authority figure. He possessed a distinguished speaking voice...
. An early example of sound magic before the days of tape meant that when the father succeeds in his wish to be just like his son going off to school, juvenile actor John Clark had to talk to himself. So he had to pre-record the father's dialogue on the 15 inch disks used at that time, and leave gaps for the son's character to speak. After much careful rehearsal, the broadcast went out live, with amazing naturalistic speech overlaps, leaving the listener quite astonished. Young Clark was auditioned by Peter Ustinov and cast in the film version, with a seven year Rank contract. But it wasn't to be, his agent had overlooked a clause in his Just William
Just William
Just William is the first book of children's short stories about the young school boy William Brown, written by Richmal Crompton, and published in 1922. The book was the first in the series of William Brown books which was the basis for numerous television series, films and radio adaptations...
theatre contract, an option to repeat the tour across England for another year (a disastrous decision). So the film producers looked around some more, and came up with Anthony Newley, fresh out of the Italia Conti Academy
Italia Conti Academy
The Italia Conti Academy is a theatre arts training school based in London. It was founded in 1911 by actress Italia Conti...
.
Film and television
The story has also been adapted for television at least three times, and for film at least five times, including a 1948 British versionVice Versa (1948 film)
Vice Versa is a 1948 British comedy film written and directed by Peter Ustinov. It is the third screen adaptation of the 1882 novel of the same name by F. Anstey. The film was produced by Two Cities Films and distributed by General Film Distributors....
, written and directed by Peter Ustinov
Peter Ustinov
Peter Alexander Ustinov CBE was an English actor, writer and dramatist. He was also renowned as a filmmaker, theatre and opera director, stage designer, author, screenwriter, comedian, humourist, newspaper and magazine columnist, radio broadcaster and television presenter...
, which starred Roger Livesey
Roger Livesey
Roger Livesey was a British stage and film actor. He is most often remembered for the three Powell & Pressburger films in which he starred: The Life and Death of Colonel Blimp, I Know Where I'm Going! and A Matter of Life and Death...
as Paul Bultitude and introduced Anthony Newley
Anthony Newley
Anthony George Newley was an English actor, singer and songwriter. He enjoyed success as a performer in such diverse fields as rock and roll and stage and screen acting.-Early life:...
as young Dick. The 1981 ITV
ITV
ITV is the major commercial public service TV network in the United Kingdom. Launched in 1955 under the auspices of the Independent Television Authority to provide competition to the BBC, it is also the oldest commercial network in the UK...
adaptation featured Peter Bowles
Peter Bowles
-Early life:Bowles was born in London, England, the son of Sarah Jane and Herbert Reginald Bowles. His father was a chauffeur and butler at a stately home in Warwickshire; but, upon the outbreak of World War II, he was seconded to work as an engineer at Rolls-Royce and moved the family to Nottingham...
as Paul Bultitude. The 1988 film version
Vice Versa (1988 film)
Vice Versa is a 1988 comedy film starring Judge Reinhold and Fred Savage. It is the fourth screen adaptation of the 1882 novel of the same name by F. Anstey...
, adapted into a modern setting, did not credit F. Anstey's contribution in its initial release (but kept the title), starring Judge Reinhold
Judge Reinhold
Judge Reinhold is an American actor, perhaps best known for co-starring in movies such as Beverly Hills Cop, Ruthless People, Fast Times at Ridgemont High, and The Santa Clause trilogy.-Early life:...
and Fred Savage
Fred Savage
Fredrick Aaron "Fred" Savage is an American actor, director and producer of television and film.He is best known for his role as Kevin Arnold in the American television series The Wonder Years and as the grandson in The Princess Bride...
as the father and son.
Allusions/references from other works
The novels Freaky FridayFreaky Friday
Freaky Friday is a classic comedic children’s novel written by Mary Rodgers first published in the USA in 1972, and adapted for film several times.-Plot:...
and Summer Switch by Mary Rodgers are modern re-tellings of the same story.
Vice Versa is mentioned on the sixth chapter of Under the Volcano
Under the Volcano
Under the Volcano is a 1947 semi-autobiographical novel by English writer Malcolm Lowry . The novel tells the story of Geoffrey Firmin, an alcoholic British consul in the small Mexican town of Quauhnahuac , on the Day of the Dead.Surrounded by the helpless presences of his ex-wife, his...
.