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: 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.

[���]

[���]

Three attempts we have made,

and three times our plans have been ruined

by this Superman.

I'm aware of that.

So do something, not just read the paper.

Newspapers are full of ideas, Oresto.

Like the one I just had.

I've sent Mara downtown

to place an ad in the Daily Planet.

For somebody to help us commit our crime, no doubt.

Not somebody.

Superman.

May I help you? If you can't,

you have no business drawing a salary.

I want to place this ad in the Planet.

"Superman,

"I want to hire you.

"Name your own price.

Contact Box 243 immediately."

At least, you can read. How much will that be?

Hi, Milly. Can I use your pen, please?

Hello, Mr. Kent. Certainly. I said, how much?

Well, let's see, uh...

A one inch ad in the personals would be--

I didn't say personals. I want a full page.

Full page?

But it's only two or three lines.

Uh, you.

Do you have something to do with this paper?

Well, I work here, yes. May I see the ad?

For heaven's sake, you'd think it was

against the law to advertise.

Uh, not against the law. But in this case,

it's a waste of money.

I'll take care of this, Milly.

Oh, thanks. I beg your pardon.

My name is Mara Van Cleaver. I waste more money in a day

than you make in a year.

Ah, yes.

Mara Van Cleaver, madcap heiress.

Well, it just so happens that Superman is not for sale.

Oh, dear.

He sounds terribly stuffy.

I know.

I'll give Superman $10,000,

and he can donate it to some equally stuffy charity.

Well, now, there's a possibility in that.

What did you want him to do?

Why should I discuss it with you?

Oh, uh, my name is Kent. Clark Kent.

I work in the papers, I told you.

And I've been known to contact Superman.

Oh. All right, I'll leave it in your hands then, Mr. Kent.

You still haven't told me what you want him to do.

I'm giving a private party, just for laughs,

and I want Superman to entertain.

There'll only be one guest there.

A visiting diplomat from South Argonia.

Oh? South Argonia?

Yes.

And the diplomatic relationship

between his country and ours might well depend upon

his being properly impressed and entertained.

At least, my guardian seems to think so.

Sounds like it could be important.

Well, then you'll give Superman my message?

Yes, I'll phone you his decision tomorrow.

Oh, fine.

The party's at 8:00 Tuesday evening.

And be sure to tell Superman to make a spectacular entrance.

And have a photographer there.

Oh, yes, ma'am.

Oh. Just to make everything official,

here's the $10,000.

I think cash is so much nicer than a check, don't you?

[���]

That's 4000 you owe me.

After tonight, that will be peanuts.

What do you mean by that?

Nothing.

Just an idle remark, my dear.

[THUNDER CRASHES]

Such a country. Lightning without rain.

Just a summer heat storm, Oresto.

Don't let it disturb you.

It could start many fires,

which could keep your police and fire people busy tonight.

What an odd thing to say.

You mustn't insult our guest, Mara.

Come.

I want you to see Mara's collection of rare editions.

[THUNDER RUMBLING]

I'm not interested in rare editions.

I know, you fool. But a few more references

to the police might ruin everything.

It is not the police I worry of.

It is this Superman.

I assure you that we have nothing to fear

from that source.

How can you be sure?

When Casper is doing his job,

Superman will be in this room, entertaining you.

Here? In this very room? Exactly.

For once, someone's gonna make a fool of him.

Now, pull yourself together.

I will try.

Yes, these are lovely editions.

[THUNDER CRASHES]

[DOORBELL RINGING]

Who can that be?

It's probably the photographer.

Are you sure you told him that we wanted a photographer?

Of course, I told him.

Although, personally, I don't care

whether a photographer comes or not.

I'm bored with having my picture taken.

We must have a photographer.

I've planned on it.

Really, Jonas, what's come over you lately?

Everything's such a big deal. [DOOR OPENS]

Oh.

Well, anyway, you can relax. [DOOR CLOSES]

Hello. Yes?

I'm Jim Olsen from the Daily Planet,

and this is Miss Lane, a reporter. A reporter?

We thought there might be a feature story

to go with the pictures.

Mr. Kent would've come,

but he was on another assignment.

Of course, of course.

I'm Jonas Rockwell, Miss Van Cleaver's guardian.

May I present Miss Lane, Mr. Olsen.

Miss Van Cleaver and our distinguished guest,

Oresto de Mina la Scala la Cuesta el Centro Jones.

How do you do?

A woman reporter. How novel.

Oh, it's just something to keep me in caviar and mink.

Well, you'd better sharpen your pencil

because it's nearly 8:00.

[���]

You requested a spectacular entrance, Miss Van Cleaver.

I hope that was satisfactory.

Also, I hope that you can afford to have that window repaired.

Of course. And I do believe

you're going to earn that charity money.

Superman, I believe this is the first time

I've seen you when I haven't been in trouble.

In fact, no one seems to be in trouble tonight.

I'd like to present my guardian, Jonas Rockwell,

and our guest, Oresto de Mina la Scala...

La Cuesta el Centro Jones.

Welcome to our country, sir.

It is indeed a pleasure to have you here.

You have no idea what pleasure.

I believe you could safely, uh, dismiss Casper now, sir.

With Superman here, I'm sure you don't need a bodyguard.

[SPEAKING IN FOREIGN LANGUAGE]

Well, take your places, everyone.

The curtain's about to go up. Now, wait just a moment.

Entertaining isn't exactly in my line,

but I'm going to try.

May I borrow that diamond of yours?

My diamond? Please.

Well, I guess you can't hurt it.

Diamonds are the world's hardest substance.

Thank you.

Well, first, we'll pop the stone from its setting.

And then...

[���]

[CRUNCHING]

That stone was worth a fortune. He has ruined it.

I don't mind paying for entertainment,

but really, Superman.

Your diamond isn't destroyed.

[CRUNCHING]

Your brooch.

I can't believe it.

It takes tons of pressure to mold a diamond.

You did it with your bare hands.

[���]

I see this is an out-of-date directory,

so I guess it won't matter.

I have seen other ordinary men do that trick.

Did you ever seen them do this?

I have never seen them do that,

for the simple reason it is impossible.

But he just did it.

It is still impossible.

You will admit, however, that we are most fortunate

to have Superman with us here at this moment.

That I will admit.

[���]

Wow, what a picture that'll make.

He could make a fortune working in circuses.

Some people are interested in other things than money.

But I suppose you wouldn't understand that.

Oh, I do believe we're having sarcasm.

[APPLAUSE]

I think you've earned a rest.

I'll have some tea brought in.

Or do you prefer some secret brew of your own?

Oh, please, don't worry about me.

[DOORBELL RINGS]

I'll get it.

Did you get them?

Now, who will know the difference?

You did a good job, Casper.

Don't you ever talk?

No, sir.

I've just had an excellent idea.

Mr. Olsen, would you be so good

as to take a group shot?

Sure, Mr. Rockwell.

Fine. Now, will you just stand where you are.

Uh, Superman? Between the two ladies.

My pleasure. And we'll stand in here.

Are you crazy? Having our pictures taken?

I know what I'm doing.

Go ahead, Mr. Olsen.

Got it. Maybe I should take another for good measure.

No, no, no. Never mind, young man.

I've just had another excellent idea.

Do you mind if I take this? Thank you.

No, go ahead. It's on the Planet.

I, uh, I enjoyed your performance very much indeed.

SUPERMAN: Well, that's very kind. Thank you.

[THUNDER RUMBLING]

And now, Superman, I have one final

great favor to ask of you.

In honor of our distinguished guest,

would you deliver this negative to his family in Argonia?

It's something they would never forget.

You're asking a great deal, Mr. Rockwell.

Yes. Yes, I don't think you should ask him to--

Of course, he will be suitably rewarded

with additional funds for charity.

You must think of your family, Oresto.

That's what I am thinking of.

Very well, Mr. Rockwell.

Give me the film.

We'll never forget this.

And I'm speaking for the country as a whole, of course.

The address is number two Plaza del Patio.

Number two Plaza del Patio. All right.

Goodbye, all.

[���]

[THUNDER CRASHING]

I am beginning to see the light, my friend.

And not from the lightning.

Exactly.

A superhuman delivery boy, who thinks he's carrying

a simple photographic negative.

Actually, it was the only way

to get our merchandise past the customs officials.

A stroke of genius.

As I said before,

it's time that someone made a fool of Superman.

You look as though you've swallowed a canary.

Two canaries.

And I must say, they were most delicious.

Uh, it's getting quite late.

Perhaps you'd better be going.

Do you mind if I call the developing room?

I have to use the phone.

Is it necessary?

Of course, you may. It's right there.

It seems to be dead.

Oh. Probably the lightning.

Too bad.

Oh, well.

I must be getting careless.

Well, good night. It was a swell party.

Casper will show you out.

Good night.

[LAUGHING]

[BOTH LAUGHING]

[DOOR CLOSES]

Well, what is this? A laughing hyena contest?

The laugh is on Superman and the customs officials.

[CHUCKLES] Customs? Why should there be any trouble

getting a picture through customs?

Oresto was only joking, my dear.

I demand to know what this is all about.

Very well. I'll tell you.

You're in it now, anyway. Sit down.

I'll give it to you quickly and without interruption.

Now, look, Jonas-- I said without interruption.

To begin with,

Oresto here is no diplomat.

He is a competent,

if not-too-highly-intelligent contact man.

I've used him several times before

in diamond transactions.

Is that what happened to my tiara--? Be quiet.

As for tonight,

I'll have to go back about a month.

At that time, Superman trapped a counterfeiting ring.

This ring had the most perfect plates

for engraving $20 bills ever made.

Superman turned those plates over

to the district attorney as evidence.

Tonight,

Casper stole those plates

out of the district attorney's files.

And they are what Superman is now flying to Argonia.

It would be too risky to print the money here.

That's why the former owners of the plates were caught.

Exactly. Now, do you understand, my dear?

But why, Jonas? We have more money than we need.

As a matter of fact, we're broke.

That's impossible.

Is it?

Between us, we've spent every cent you inherited.

You had no right.

Of course, not.

But your lavish ways are contagious.

I embezzled everything you didn't throw away.

I'll have you thrown in jail for this.

Will you? And then what?

Can you picture Mara Van Cleaver a penniless working girl?

I still have my diamonds.

Imitation. I had them made up.

The real ones went long ago.

Play with us, and you'll be rich again.

I don't know what to do.

Well, let me put it this way. You have no choice.

I could swear that you were an accomplice

to everything that happened tonight.

After all,

it wasn't I who hired Superman.

I want to get these developed tonight,

so I can catch the early edition.

Right. I'll get the story on paper.

Miss Lane? Mm-hm?

I used six holders tonight.

Mm. Minus the one you gave away makes five.

Well, that's just it.

I still got six exposed holders.

So you took an extra one.

I saw Superman put the film holder in his belt.

And I found one on a table behind some books.

Are you sure, Jim?

Positive.

When these are developed, I'm willing to bet my bow tie

that that group picture's among 'em.

Then Superman isn't carrying what he thinks he is.

Maybe they have an explanation, Jim.

But I'd like to get back there and hear it. Let's go.

How did I get into this?

[DOORBELL RINGS] See who it is.

No! Don't answer it.

In a few hours it will all be over.

We're taking the midnight plane for Argonia. All of us.

[DOOR OPENS]

[DOOR CLOSES]

You forgot something? Uh, no, but you did.

You forgot to tell us about that extra film holder.

What extra film holder?

You know what I mean. We thought we'd give you

a chance to explain before we called the police.

If you insist.

The explanation is that you've stumbled onto something

that may very well cost you your lives.

We must have the wrong house.

I guess the wrong house is the right house.

Take them away. No.

We're in trouble enough.

You stay out of this.

Would you let them go if they promised

not to breathe a word of this?

They're people of honor, so I would accept their promise.

But I'm sure they wouldn't give it

because they are people of honor.

Would you promise if within six months, we--?

We send you $50,000?

A hundred thousand?

I feel sorry for you.

You still think money is the answer to everything.

You see, my dear?

You'll be locked in a bomb shelter

built underground in the back yard.

The walls are lead-lined against atomic radiation.

Which means that even Superman's x-ray vision

can't see through them to find you.

There'll be enough food and water for a few days.

After that, you'll have to live on your integrity.

[���]

[PHONE RINGS]

Robbery Detail. Henderson.

Oh, thanks.

Get me a squad car.

The counterfeit plates, they've been stolen.

[DOORBELL RINGS]

It's the police.

I know it. They've learned something.

Mara, there's nothing to be afraid of.

We're simply going for a vacation in Argonia.

Will we ever come back?

Certainly.

When we're ready to flood the country

with the most perfect counterfeit money ever made.

[DOOR CLOSES]

[THUNDER CRASHES]

Mr. Kent. Good evening.

So you're the famous reporter.

Oh, not so famous. I'm here at the request of Superman.

Oh, he left about an hour ago.

As you can see, we're about ready to leave ourselves.

I'm afraid not. You see, the police'll

be here in about 15 minutes. You wouldn't get far.

The police? I do not understand.

I think you do. Counterfeiting, remember?

JONAS: And where is this Superman now?

CLARK: Well, that isn't important.

But he wanted me to get here ahead of the police

to see if you'd come along peaceably.

Because of him, Casper,

we will never see Argonia again.

I no see Argonia no more?

He couldn't have missed. Casper never misses.

Then you-- You're Superman!

I wouldn't say that.

Let's just say that I'm very lucky.

The engraving plate.

Bent, ruined.

Bullet must've hit it. Hm.

Little good it does us.

Mm, yes. Our little venture is ruined.

But, so far as the evidence is concerned,

it's just Kent's word against ours.

One against four.

So good night, Mr. Kent.

If you're ever in Argonia, look us up.

What about the police?

They can't stop us from getting on the plane.

First, tell me what you've done with Lois and Jimmy.

It's none of your business, Mr. Kent.

So why don't you just go away and leave us alone.

[���]

All right, Miss Van Cleaver.

[SIGHS]

I guess you win.

Just a minute. I'll take that.

Take what?

"Your friends are in the bomb shelter

in the back of the house."

Really, Mara, that wasn't very clever.

Mr. Kent, now that you know where your friends are,

I couldn't possibly let you go.

It would mean two more witnesses on your side.

As for you, my dear,

since you're so interested in the others,

perhaps you'd better join them.

Anyway, we've got a fourth for bridge.

With this lead lining,

Superman could never find us, even if he came back.

Clark, what in the world gave him the tip-off?

Well, when Superman did the diamond trick,

he knew it must be fake because it broke so easily.

But Mara obviously knew nothing.

I certainly didn't.

That's what he thought.

Anyway, he decided to play along to see what their game was.

He wanted to know who their undercover man was in Argonia.

Well, at least we got the best-equipped

bomb shelter in the world.

A radio. [THUNDER CRASHES]

Water enough to last a month.

A stove, a first-aid kit.

Did I say a radio?

Clark, if it would only work.

Who would we call?

Well, if we can get the police band,

we can call Inspector Henderson.

That's a good idea.

But those batteries are dead.

Maybe it's that aerial.

It might just work, at that.

What might just work?

What are you talking about?

You know, Mr. Kent,

sometimes Miss Lane actually thinks you're Superman.

So why don't you just bust outta here.

Well, Jimmy, if I did that, she'd be sure, wouldn't she?

Anyway, I want you all to go in this next room.

I have a little idea. Come on.

It may be dangerous, and I don't want

anyone else to share that. Come on. Out we go.

Thank you.

[SIGHS]

What's he doing?

It might be dangerous, he says.

Since when is he such a hero?

Of course, I could break out of here.

Can you imagine the embarrassing questions?

[���]

[THUNDER CRASHES]

[THUNDER CRASHES]

Mr. Kent? Mr. Kent!

Just a minute, Jimmy.

Jeepers, Mr. Kent. What are you doin'?

Uh, come right in, Jimmy.

We heard a terrible noise. Are you all right?

Yes, of course, I'm all right.

Uh, the lightning seemed to have struck the aerial,

and it jumped right over the battery cable.

Afraid it ruined everything.

Or maybe saved our lives.

[RADIO BLEEPING] It works.

The lightning charged the battery.

Excuse me, Jimmy.

Calling Inspector Henderson.

This is urgent.

Come in, Inspector Henderson.

Kent, what are you doing on the police channel?

You know it's illegal.

Yes, I know, Bill. But this is terribly important.

Now, look, we're all locked in a bomb shelter

in the rear of the Van Cleaver estate.

But never mind about us now.

I want you to get right at the airport

and pick up three people with tickets for Argonia.

Right. I'll send you a squad.

Airport.

[CHEERING AND LAUGHING]

Caviar, anyone?

Oh, no, thanks.

I've lost my taste for caviar.

And mink? And mink.

Well, at least, Superman didn't have to

save us this time.

Hey, that's right.

Here are the proofs you wanted, Mr. Kent.

Oh, fine. Put 'em right down here, will ya?

Mara. Mara Van Cleaver,

what are you doing here? I'm your new copy girl.

That's wonderful. For once, I'm doing something on my own.

It's a good feeling. I'll bet it is.

But you're not exactly penniless, you know.

You still have that 10,000 you gave Superman.

It's in the office safe. Oh, no.

That money was intended to go

to Superman's favorite charity, and it still is.

I'm only glad to see the last of the Van Cleaver money

doing some good.

There'll be a lot of kids at summer camp

that'll feel the same way about it.

Thanks, Mara. Thanks a lot.

[���]

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.