Original subtitles

NARRATOR: The Adventures of Superman!

Faster than a speeding bullet.

More powerful than a locomotive.

Able to leap tall buildings at a single bound.

MAN 1: Look! Up in the sky! MAN 2: It's a bird!

WOMAN: It's a plane! MAN 3: It's Superman!

NARRATOR: Yes, it's Superman,

strange visitor from another planet,

who came to Earth with powers and abilities

far beyond those of mortal men.

Superman, who can change the course of mighty rivers,

bend steel in his bare hands,

and who, disguised as Clark Kent,

mild-mannered reporter for a great metropolitan newspaper,

fights a never-ending battle

for truth, justice and the American way.

[���]

WOMAN: All right, Superman. That does it.

Think it'll make a good poster for Superman Week?

I didn't know a portrait could be so flattering.

You're twice that handsome.

Don't be so modest.

Well, it's not easy to be modest, with all the things

that have been going on here this week.

Oh. I think Superman Week's a wonderful idea.

Metropolis should celebrate one every year.

Well, now, that's an idea

I'll thank you to keep to yourself.

[CHUCKLES] All right.

But I just want to tell you that it's really been an honor

having you sit for me.

And I'm sure Mr. Van Deglass, the famous sculptor,

will be just as thrilled as I am.

I'm the one that's honored.

After all, Mr. Van Deglass has made statues

of kings and presidents.

I hear he's sculpting a bust from photographs of you.

Yes, I have a date with him later.

He wants to get another look at my face

and fill in the final details.

Oh, by the way, when you see Mr. Kent,

will you thank him for the use of his apartment?

Well, I think you can consider him thanked.

And thank you for the very fine portrait.

Oh, you're welcome, Superman.

Goodbye.

Goodbye, miss.

Golly.

If I could only fly like Superman

instead of taking those hot subways.

[���]

[PHONE RINGS]

Hello.

Oh, yes, operator, thank you.

Hello. Is this the rajah of Borgonia?

Well, I'm Lois Lane of the Daily Planet.

It's Superman Week here in Metropolis.

I'm calling you because we're having

a testimonial dinner in Superman's honor.

We thought it'd be nice if all the people

he's ever helped sent telegrams or cables of thanks.

Oh, then you do remember the time he rescued

your herd of sacred elephants?

Yes, rajah. Just send it to Metropolis,

in care of the Daily Planet.

Thank you very much. Goodbye.

Hi, Miss Lane. How's it going?

I had no idea how many people Superman had helped

till I started going through these clippings.

Only 295 calls to go.

Operator, get me Rio de Janeiro.

A three-hour delay?

Well, place the call and call me back.

[PHONE RINGS]

[ SIGHS] Hello. Yes, sir.

All the boys in your orphanage

are gonna sign the telegram

thanking Superman for building their playground?

Oh, that's wonderful.

Thank you so much. Goodbye.

Where are you off to?

Nowhere.

You're in a big hurry to be going nowhere.

Who's in a hurry?

Jimmy Olsen, you've got something up your sleeve.

No, I haven't. Look.

[PHONE RINGS]

[LAUGHS]

If you see Clark Kent,

tell him I could use an octopus.

Hello?

Yes, Your Highness, that's right.

He prevented your palace from crumbling in the earthquake.

We'd be terribly grateful if you would.

Thank you. Goodbye.

Well, where have you been?

Where have I been?

I've been doing my bit for Superman Week.

I may be suffering under a delusion,

but I thought you worked for the Daily Planet.

And there's a fellow named Perry White around here,

editor-in-chief, who thinks so too.

That's very funny.

Great Caesar's ghost.

It's about time you showed up. Did you get my memo?

No, sir. Oh, here it is.

"See what you can dig up on Sy--" Sy Horton, huh?

"According to the underworld grapevine,

"he's up to some big caper.

Find out what. Staying at 5867 Westlake."

And he's a tough customer, so be careful.

Can Clark get on it in the morning?

I need some help with these Superman stories.

Can't Jimmy do that?

Oh, he just took off.

Destination: a big secret.

All right, Kent, Sy Horton can wait.

But get with it the first thing in the morning.

Yes, sir.

I'm the only editor who ever paid anyone

to keep getting into trouble.

Say, Jimmy didn't see this, did he?

Well, I don't know. He might have. Why?

Well, he'd be no match for Sy Horton.

Oh, Clark, Jimmy's not that silly.

You're just trying to get out of helping me.

Here, get busy.

All right.

[���]

Matthew.

Sit down. You're bothering me.

Give me a match.

This waiting around is driving me nuts.

When are we gonna get out of here?

When I say so.

When will that be?

When I get things figured out.

[KNOCK ON DOOR]

Go get it.

[KNOCKING CONTINUES]

Yeah?

Hi. The, uh-- The telephone company sent me.

What for?

Well, there's, uh,

something the matter with your telephone.

We got a complaint from a party trying to call you.

You got the wrong place, kid. Our phone's okay.

Well, um, there's trouble on the lines.

Sometimes the calls come through,

and sometimes they don't.

Can I check your phone?

Okay, hurry it up.

When did the phone company start robbing the cradle?

Huh? You're not old enough to vote.

I may be young, but I can sure fix telephones.

It's a young man's business, you know.

While you're here, you can untangle that cord.

Excuse me.

Who sent you?!

I told you, the telephone company.

The way I remember it,

they always take the cord off at the wall.

Oh, that's the old method.

This is the new one I learned in the efficiency course.

It works swell. Watch.

Okay, who are you?!

I told you.

It won't work, kid.

"James B. Olsen," reporter on the Daily Planet.

What are you snooping around for?

The man asked you a question.

Shut up. I'll handle this.

Here.

I'm not thirsty-- Drink it.

No, thank you.

Thank you.

[BREATHING HEAVILY]

What did you give him, boss, a mickey?

No.

Truth drug.

Stuff we gave that private eye last week.

All right, Olsen...

I'm gonna ask you some questions.

Now listen carefully.

Who's onto us?

Kent.

Kent who?

Clark Kent.

Clark Kent. He's that friend of Superman's.

You know Superman, don't you?

Who is he?

I don't know.

It's a secret.

You know a lot about Superman. What's his weakness?

Kryp-tonite.

What's that?

A...

rare element...

found only on planet Krypton,

Super...man's birthplace.

It's the only thing

that can harm him.

If he...

gets within five feet of it...

it takes away

all... his powers.

It can

destroy him.

What does this stuff look like?

It...

glows in the dark.

Tell us where can we get some.

The only known piece is...

in Metropolis Bay...

in a lead pipe.

Superman threw it there.

Lead...

protects him from the stuff.

What did you say it was again?

Kryptonite.

Kryptonite.

Kryptoni-ite.

What did I say?! What did I say?

One word. Kryptonite.

Thanks, kid. Thanks a lot.

Kryptonite? But, uh, what is it?

It won't work. You told us all about it.

I was making it up. It was a lie.

Not with that slug of truth drug, it wasn't.

Now, go on, beat it. Get out of here.

The party's over. Get your stuff and blow.

Come on, get going!

Oh, one more thing.

You blab about us to Kent,

and we'll tell every mob in town about kryptonite.

We'll let 'em all know

how to g-get rid of Superman.

Go on, beat it!

See what I mean about figuring?

With Superman out of the way,

we can take over Metropolis.

What are we waiting for?

Let's get that stuff out of the bay.

Use your head, stupid. That's a big operation.

How are we gonna get it?

Take it easy. I got a hunch.

Mm, we're gonna have to forget about this one.

While you're at it, what about that rickshaw boy

that Superman saved from the burning temple?

Haven't time to learn Chinese. Hm.

Hey, this will be an easy one.

Oh?

What is it?

Oh, Lois.

Here's the guest list for the dinner.

I suppose you want me to call them all.

No, sorry. I haven't time to send out invitations.

Oh, Lois Lane, one-girl phone company.

Oh, have you sent your telegram to Superman, to thank him

for getting out the edition the time the presses broke down?

Great Caesar's ghost. I'd have to send out about 20

to Superman, to thank him for all the favors he's done me.

Oh, there's the boy I want to see. Olsen.

Yes, chief?

Don't call me "chief," you young whippersnapper.

I'm sorry, ch-- I mean, Mr. White.

When Lois finishes with that guest list...

I want you to write up a story on it.

It shouldn't tax your mental powers too much.

All you have to do is list the names.

Mr. Kent. Yes, Jimmy?

Could I have a word with you,

in private? Well...

Well, ha-ha, that's a cue if I ever heard one.

See you later.

[SIGHS]

All right, Jimmy. Let's have it.

Mr. Kent, I've done something awful.

[CHUCKLES] It can't be as bad as all that.

It's worse.

[SIGHS]

I don't know how to tell you.

Sy Horton--

Sy Horton?

I went to see him,

and, uh, he knows-- He knows about--

What does he know?

About kryptonite and its effect on Superman.

You told him about kryptonite?

The only substance that can destroy Superman? Why, Jim?

Oh, please, Mr. Kent, I'm all...hazy.

Now, look, is this some stunt

you've thought up for Superman Week?

It's no stunt.

I thought I could get a scoop

if I got some information on Horton.

So I-- I went to see him

disguised as a telephone repairman.

But he gave me some truth drug and made me drink it.

And I-- I told him.

You know what this can mean, don't you?

Sure I do.

If they ever get ahold of that stuff,

they can kill Superman.

What are we gonna do, Mr. Kent?

I don't know, Jimmy.

This could be serious.

I'll have to get in touch with Superman.

He'll be able to think of something,

won't he?

I hope so, Jimmy.

Gee, is there-- Is there anything I can do?

I'll do anything.

Well, don't worry, Jimmy.

Meet me over at my place tonight, will you?

[KNOCK ON DOOR]

Hello, Jimmy. Come in.

I know I'm early, Mr. Kent,

but I couldn't wait.

Did you get in touch with Superman?

Yes, Jimmy, I did.

What did he say?

I'll show you.

Recognize this?

Yeah. Why, that's the lead pipe

Superman threw into the bay,

with the kryptonite inside of it.

That's right. Fortunately, Superman can handle kryptonite,

when it's encased in lead.

What if it ever gets outside the pipe?

Why did Superman fish it out of the bay

and give it to you?

Well, Jimmy, Superman has a plan.

In fact, he's setting a trap.

If you set a trap, you've got to have bait.

He has, Jimmy. This.

[KNOCK ON DOOR]

You get it, will you?

Okay, let's have it.

I don't know what you're talking about.

The kryptonite. We heard you. Where is it?

Kryptonite? What kryptonite?

That's enough of the cute bit.

You too, mister. Get 'em up.

We've been tailing your young friend,

but I didn't think it would pay off so soon. Heh.

This is a lead pipe cinch.

Come on, let's go.

No, wait.

Aren't you gonna go after them?

You got that hacksaw blade I told you to bring?

Right here, boss. I'll hold it, you saw it.

Come on, hurry it up.

[GRUNTS] That's good.

[SQUEAKS]

[CHUCKLES]

Once we get this kryptonite within five feet of Superman,

he's a dead pigeon.

[LAUGHS]

No, Jimmy, I'm not.

Golly, what will Superman do now?

I don't know, Jimmy, I don't know.

[���]

Superman certainly has a busy schedule.

I don't know how even he can survive Superman Week.

I've been wondering about that myself.

They wanted him to christen the S.S. Superman

this morning,

but we had to turn them down. Why?

He's posing for that sculptor, Van Deglass, at 10.

Quarter of now. He's probably on his way.

I guess he'd better be.

And where are you going?

Oh, Superman asked me to take care of something for him.

I've never see such rushing around in my life.

And all because of Superman Week.

Which, if you recall,

I've been against from the beginning.

[���]

Boy, Clark is such a genius.

He knows the best way to run everything.

[���]

[KNOCK ON DOOR]

[GRUNTS]

[GROANING]

Okay, did you try the kryptonite?

Right now. Well, come on, hurry it up.

Ah, it don't fit.

Well, make it fit. Come on, now, get going.

Hey, what's this for?

[CHUCKLING]

Once Superman crosses that line, he's out of our way forever.

Hey, it's almost 10. Come on.

That was mighty considerate of the Daily Planet,

printing Superman's schedule.

Get that kryptonite in there and hide behind the drape.

Right. Get going.

Hurry it up. Come on.

[KNOCK ON DOOR]

[WITH EUROPEAN ACCENT] Ah, my friend, you are indeed prompt.

I am Van Deglass,

a great admirer of yours.

You're the one to be admired, Mr. Van Deglass.

Well, Mr. Superman...

How do you like yourself?

It's a fine piece of work, sir.

Thank you.

Come a little closer so you can see it better.

No, I appreciate works of art better from a distance.

[CHUCKLES] Just to humor an old man,

take a closer look, huh?

I am particularly proud

of the detail here on the shoulder.

[NORMAL VOICE] How do you feel now, Superman?

Wait a minute. You're not Van Deglass.

You're Sy-- Sy Horton.

That's right, buster.

It's too late, Superman.

I feel... I feel...

Yeah?

Weak, dizzy... I--

That's because you got a hole in your head,

right here, filled with kryptonite.

[WEAKLY] Kryptonite.

You got any last requests to make,

you better make 'em in a hurry.

What do we do now, boss?

You remember that nice fat payroll

we read about in the paper?

The one they're keeping on the west side?

Yeah, that's right.

Well, our friend Superman here is supposed to be guarding it.

There's a half a million bucks

in that vault, if we can get to it.

With Superman out of the way, we can get to it, all right.

And we're gonna use that bankroll to buy us

the toughest mob that Metropolis has ever seen.

Come on.

[���]

[LATCH CLICKING]

He shouldn't have sent out for that coffee.

Them knockout drops work pretty good.

Yeah, yeah. Come on, come on. Let's find the key.

Here, Sy.

Oh, good.

Superman!

I give up, I give up.

Next?

But I gave up.

I know.

This is just to make sure.

Ready?

There. That ought to hold you till the police get here.

I hate to think what would have happened

if you hadn't phoned that warning.

You know that coffee

turned the sink purple.

My pleasure. And thanks for your cooperation.

But what about the kryptonite? I thought--

I know what you thought. You thought it would destroy me.

How that story ever got started, I don't know.

As a matter of fact, I intend to use this as a good luck piece.

But you thought that it would keep me helpless,

so you swallowed the bait

and hung yourself.

Oh, no, not more telegrams.

Yes, ma'am. And there's another load on the way.

Well, I'm gonna have to see about getting them

delivered to that banquet hall.

Oh, did you get everything set for the television broadcast?

We're gonna keep it simple.

Just an interview with Superman.

Who's gonna interview him?

Clark Kent. Only he doesn't know it yet.

And just what doesn't he "know it" yet?

In 45 minutes, you're scheduled to interview Superman.

And I can't wait to see you

wiggle out of this one.

That should be very interesting.

Mr. Kent interviewing Superman.

And just what's so interesting about it?

Oh, I don't know.

It's just interesting.

Well, don't be late. Goodbye.

Hm.

We, um--

We heard about Sy Horton and Superman, Mr. Kent.

It came over the police teletype.

Yes, it worked out pretty well.

This time they were caught in the act,

with a guard as witness.

And best of all, Jimmy,

they're convinced that kryptonite can't hurt Superman.

And that was his plan all the time.

Yeah. Superman knew they were shadowing you,

and he planned on things working out the way they did.

But why didn't the kryptonite hurt him?

Because it wasn't really kryptonite, Jimmy.

It was just an ordinary chunk of metal

painted with glowing phosphorus.

The real kryptonite is still at the bottom of the bay.

Why didn't you let me in on the secret?

Well, Jimmy, it seemed a wise way

to handle it like this.

After all, they might have slipped you

another one of those truth serum milkshakes.

Golly. I never thought of that.

How's Mr. Van Deglass?

The sculptor? He's all right.

He's got a little headache. Nothing serious.

Well, if I'm gonna do that interview,

I guess I better get with it.

Mr. Kent, could I have the key to your apartment,

so Miss Lane and I can watch the TV broadcast on your set?

Well, as long as I have to

go through with it, anyway,

you might just as well be watching too.

Here you are.

It's almost time.

Uh. You turn on the television,

and I'll pull the chairs in place.

Now we'll find out once and for all

about Clark Kent and Superman.

CLARK: Hello, citizens of Metropolis.

I'm Clark Kent of the Daily Planet.

They've asked me to interview Superman.

I thought he should have the stage to himself,

so that's why we've set things up this way.

So here he is. Superman.

Thank you, Mr. Kent.

It's a pleasure to be here.

CLARK: Tell me, Superman, what do you think of Superman Week?

I'm proud to have a part in the wonderful

and worthwhile things that have been done this week.

The camp for boys,

the home for underprivileged children,

the home for the aged

and the foundation of the blind.

And I'm very grateful to all those who worked so hard

to raise the funds.

And I'm proud. Proud, indeed,

to have them named after me.

CLARK: I know you're very busy, Superman,

so I'm not going to keep you.

There's a car waiting at the door to carry you

in the parade which is being held in your honor.

Thank you again, and goodbye.

And now our cameras take you to Metropolis Boulevard,

where the monster Superman parade is shaping up.

I really thought we had him this time.

Thanks, pal.

[MARCHING MUSIC PLAYING]

[CHATTERING EXCITEDLY]

[���]

NARRATOR: Don't miss the next thrill-packed episode

in the amazing

Adventures of Superman!

Superman is based on the original character

appearing in Superman magazine.