Vice Versa

The film opens with an elderly Paul Bultitude seeing his son Dick and his new wife Dulcie off after their wedding. He then directly addresses the audience, framed as reporters, about a story he's long refused to discuss and the deep bond he has with his son.

During the British Raj in India, Marmaduke Paradine steals the Garuda Stone, the magical eye that grants a wish to its holder. He is warned the thief will be plagued by bad luck, but he dismisses the warning as he escapes back to England.

Upon returning to England, Paradine, now widowed, gives the Garuda Stone to Paul Bultitude, his former brother-in-law. Paul, a wealthy stockbroker, initially treats the stone as a curious heirloom rather than something dangerous.

Holding the stone, Paul casually wishes he could take Dick's place. He instantly finds himself looking exactly like his son, trapping him in a new, uncomfortable identity he did not intend.

Realizing what has happened, Dick uses his own wish to take on his father's appearance. He revels in the perks of adulthood, effectively stepping into Paul's life, including social status and freedoms he previously lacked.

Dick, inhabiting Paul's body, goes on a spree at school and in society, throwing parties, flirting with Alice the maid, and even forming a new horseless carriage business partnership. His behavior unsettles the school's disciplinarian headmaster, Dr. Grimstone.

Paul, in the other boy's body, deals with the consequences of the impersonation and witnesses how Paradine plots to trick Dick into signing away control of the horseless carriage company. He longs to reverse the switch and restore boundaries.

Dick cannot remember where he left the Garuda Stone, complicating any attempt to reverse the switch. Paul pleads with his son to restore them to their proper bodies, but the stone's whereabouts remain unknown.

Paul finally locates the Garuda Stone in the hands of his younger son Rollie and convinces him to wish everything back to normal. The wish restores the original bodies and returns Dick to his own life, with Paul stepping back into his rightful role.

Chastened by the experience, Paul becomes more understanding of Dick's situation and relationship with Dulcie. Dr. Grimstone, who had followed them, ends up being removed from the premises; and the town remembers him for being humiliated by the Bultitudes.

Back in the present, Paul recounts that Fanny left him and that two years earlier Dr. Grimstone died of a heart attack while beating a boy. The story underscores the long-lasting consequences of the events the Garuda Stone triggered.

The Garuda Stone is eventually stolen by an eager thief who accidentally wishes himself away from the police to the North Pole. Paul ends with a warning not to seek out a green-grey stone with a handle, and he mentions that he ended up marrying Alice the maid, who scolds him for wasting his time telling this story.