Character Relationship Map: Vice Versa

Characters

• Paul Bultitude (played by Roger Livesey) — protagonist

  Wealthy stockbroker and father who uses a magical stone to swap bodies with his son Dick. After experiencing school life and learning to understand his son, he restores their original forms and eventu...

• Dr. Grimstone (played by James Robertson Justice) — supporting

  The strict school headmaster who is antagonized by Paul's pompous student behavior. He follows Paul home and is later remembered for being humiliated by the Bultitudes before dying of a heart attack.

• Marmaduke Paradine (played by David Hutcheson) — supporting

  Paul's former brother-in-law who stole the magical Garuda Stone and gave it to Paul. He later attempts to trick Dick into signing over control of a new business venture.

• Alice (played by Patricia Raine) — minor

Canonical Relationships

Family, romantic, and professional connections based on plot evidence.

• Paul Bultitude → Alice (Professional Employer) — Their relationship begins within the household's servant-employer structure.

  Alice is identified as the maid in Paul's household, and Paul later marries her.

• Paul Bultitude → Marmaduke Paradine (Family Former Brother-In-Law) — Their former family connection becomes the channel through which Paul receives the magical stone.

  Marmaduke Paradine is identified as Paul's former brother-in-law and gives Paul the Garuda Stone after returning to England.

Story Dynamics

Alliances, conflicts, and narrative interactions that evolve throughout the story.

• Marmaduke Paradine → Dr. Grimstone (Unknown Unconnected Antagonistic Context) — No direct relationship is established between these two characters.

  The plot separately identifies Paradine's attempted business deception and Grimstone's disciplinary conflict with Paul, but does not show direct inter...

• Paul Bultitude → Dr. Grimstone (Conflict School Antagonist) — Paul's forced school experience creates a sustained clash with the headmaster.

  Paul's pompous behavior at school antagonizes Dr. Grimstone, the disciplinarian headmaster.

Story Analysis

A magical body exchange forces a wealthy father to experience his son's world and reconsider their relationship.

Plot Progression

1. A Stone From India — The elderly Paul introduces a long-hidden family embarrassment. The retrospective begins with Paradine stealing the Garuda Stone and passing it to Paul.
2. The Impossible Exchange — Paul's casual wish changes his appearance to match his son. A second wish gives the younger body-holder Paul's adult appearance, dividing their lives between school and home.
3. Freedom And Discipline — The disguised younger body-holder enjoys parties, flirtation, and a new business venture. Paul faces bullying and the strict authority of Dr. Grimstone at school.
4. The Business Trap — After escaping school, Paul overhears Paradine's plan to obtain control of the horseless carriage company. Paul urgently seeks to undo the exchange but the stone is missing.
5. Restoration And Reckoning — Paul finds the stone and secures a wish that restores the original bodies. He becomes more understanding, while the framing story closes with warnings about the stone and Alice's sharp rebuke.