Vice Versa

Vice Versa

1981 - United Kingdom

Although not particularly a new theme now, the original tale of one person swapping bodies with another was written in 1882 by F. Anstey, the pseudonym of Thomas Anstey Guthrie, author of many novels of fantasy and humour. Hugely popular in its day, Vice Versa, the tale of a father becoming his son and the son becoming the father, has now been serialised on British television 3 times. 

Dick Bultitude wishes that he didn't have to return to school, and having made his wish over a stone talisman that his Uncle Marmaduke gave him he is magically transformed into his dad, Paul, a no nonsense business man. The body swap has consequences for both father and son. Paul (as Dick) finds it difficult to adapt to school life and earns a reputation with his fellow pupils as both a sneak and a coward, whilst Dick (as Paul) almost ruins his father's business. 

These are problems that they both have to deal with at the time-as well as later when they are returned to their own bodies. The first small screen version Vice Versa or A Lesson to Fathers (2 episodes) was broadcast in 1953 on BBC television and starred a young Anthony Valentine as Dick (later his father, Paul) and George Benson as Paul (later his son, Dick). The next version came along in 1961, Vice Versa: A Lesson to Fathers (3 episodes) starred Graham Aza as Dick and William Mervyn as Paul. Michelle Dotrice also starred and this version was adapted for television by C.E. Webber, who played a part in realising the concept of Doctor Who when it first came to the small screen in 1963. 

The most recent version, Vice Versa, made by ATV in 1981 starred Peter Bowles (Paul), Paul Spurrier (Dick) and Iain Cuthbertson (Budgie, Charles Endell Esq.) as schoolmaster Dr. Grimstone. This version received much publicity at the time due to the fact that both adult actors were well known figures on British TV and Bowles in particular was at the height of his fame in To The Manor Born, which began its third and final series during the seven-episode run of Vice Versa.

Published on February 11th, 2019. Written by Noel Onely for Television Heaven.

Read Next...

Danger Island

A 12-year old boy overhears two sinister men plotting to assassinate their country's ruler.

Also tagged Childrens Drama

The Georgian House

Eerie teenage drama series with a time-travel context.

Also tagged Childrens Drama

Diamond Crack Diamond

Six-part thriller from London Weekend Television starring Alan Dobie (Cribb) as John Diamond, a Fleet Street reporter who has a reputation for living dangerously

Also starring Iain Cuthbertson

This Man Craig

Thought-provoking 1960s drama series that tackled a number of social problems which it addressed with intelligence and sensitivity

Also starring Iain Cuthbertson

The Flames Trees of Thika

Elspeth Huxley's autobiographical account of her childhood when, at just six years of age, she left London with her parents, Tilly and Robin Grant, who set out to establish a coffee plantation in Kenya.

Also released in 1981

The Irish RM

A retired British Army officer who moves to the west of Ireland at the turn of the century, becomes become a Resident Magistrate.

Also starring Peter Bowles

The Bounder

Peter Bowles and George Cole in a comedy about an ex-convict who, upon release from prison for fraud, goes to live with his sister and brother-in-law and begins immediately to disrupt their happy marriage

Also starring Peter Bowles

Circus Boy

A ten-year old boy is adopted by a circus clown after his trapeze artist father is killed in a tragic accident.

Also tagged Childrens Drama