Original subtitles

Faster than a speeding bullet.

More powerful than a locomotive.

Able to leap tall buildings at a single bound.

- Look. Up in the sky. -lt's a bird!

- It's a plane. -lt's Superman.

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.

- I beg your pardon. sir. - My fault entirely. Mr. Kent.

I have no business walking through the halls of my paper...

...getting in the way of employees who barge from doors.

I just ran out of paper.

I wish you would.

- Would what? - Run out of paper. Especially this one.

- Have I done something? - No. you were supposed to.

Half an hour ago. Superman rescued 10 persons from a burning building.

- Yes. sir. I know about that. - I know about it too.

From the front page of every rival paper.

Well. at the time. I sort of had my hands full.

And your head empty. Listen to me. Kent.

The next scatterbrain I catch around here is going to be sorry.

Nobody does anything around here. Nobody.

- I beg your pardon? - What?

I said. “I beg your pardon.“

- I didn't hear what you said. -It doesn't matter.

Now. if you'll excuse me. I’m a very busy man.

You can't be. You just can't be.

No truer words were ever spoken. madam. Good day.

But you just can't be.

Now. madam. please don't take offense.

But do you mind telling me what I can't be?

Why. Mr. Kent. of course.

Now. that's what I like. Logic.

Good. clear-cut. old-fashioned. down to earth logic.

You don't have to believe me.

But. madam. I do believe you.

I'm thoroughly convinced I’m not Mr. Kent.

A circumstance I count among my greater blessings.

But I must see him. I just must see Mr. Kent.

Well. now. I’m quite sure that you...

He deserves it.

Madam. if you'll pardon me. I'll try to arrange an interview.

Oh. thank you. Thank you.

You're very welcome.

I hate to say it. Jimmy. but this story you wrote's terrible.

It is?

Terrible for me. that is. Keep on like this and I'll be out of a job.

- Well. I hope so. - Oh. you do?

No. I mean. I don't--

I know what you mean.

Yes.

Someone to see you, Kent.

- A lady. - That's nice. Do I know her?

No. But it's a rare opportunity.

We can't have that. Send her in.

No. all fooling aside. I think this is very well-written. Jimmy.

-It’ll get it. - All right.

Thank you, young man.

- Won't you sit down? - I’m in trouble.

- You must help me. Superman. - Superman?

- Are you all right? - You must help me. Superman.

I'm sorry. but you're mixed up. Miss--

Harper. Harriet Harper. And I’m certainly not mixed up.

I know you're Superman.

You may think I am. but I assure you. I’m not.

The proof of the pudding is in the eating.

I have the pudding“ I mean, proof.

You mean you can prove he's Superman?

Don't be ridiculous. Jimmy.

As long as Miss Harper's taken the trouble to come here...

...don't you think we ought to listen to her explanation?

There can't be any explanation.

But there is. I'll show you.

- There. - There?

Such a nice photograph.

- May I ask where you got this? - From Alan. of course.

But how could you know that? Alan's my nephew.

There's got to be an explanation somehow.

That should be interesting.

Then you'll talk to Alan about the other picture?

Oh. thank you. Thank you. Superman.

Definitely. I wanna talk to Alan.

Since you have an explanation. It won't matter if I come and hear it.

- Will it. Mr. Kent? - Of course not. Jimmy.

I'm always glad to have you along. you know that.

Alan will be so pleased. He's always wanted to meet Superman.

That's nice.

- This is Alan's room. - Very nice.

Alan?

- Alan. dear. - Yes. Aunt Harriet?

You brought Superman.

There's a difference of opinion there.

- And this young man is-- - Jimmy Olsen.

- Hi. - What happened in there?

The man broke into the house looking for the picture. I guess.

- You mean this picture here? - No. the other one.

Let's talk about this one for a while. When did you take it?

The other night, behind the Daily Planet.

I take pictures at night with an infrared bulb.

That way. nobody sees the flash.

And you think this picture is me turning into Superman?

Well. it was awfully dark.

I just saw a figure and took pictures. I didn't know it was you until I developed it.

- You took a couple of pictures. - Yes. sir.

Now. about this explanation you were supposed to have. Mr. Kent?

Well. it's really very simple. Mr. Olsen. He got a picture of Superman.

About then. I came out and he snapped me in exactly the same spot.

But he forgot to wind the film.

Gee. then it's just a double exposure.

- Jeepers. it's not-- - After all...

...it's a lot more likely he got a double exposure.

Oh, dear, oh, dear.

Well. if you're not Superman. then who's to help us?

Well. maybe I still can...

Can you smell something burning out there in the hall?

There wasn't anything burning out there. Mr.--

MY supplies. my supplies.

I knew it. I knew there'd be more trouble.

Nothing to be alarmed by.

I couldn't tell where the smell came from.

Must be the same man. He didn't find the picture--

So he tried to burn the house down.

Well. the way things are going. that sounds perfectly logical to me.

Well. suppose we begin at the beginning.

Let me explain, Alan.

I don't get things as mixed up as you do.

You see. Mr. Kent. Alan took a picture of the man with the tulips.

He offered us $1000 before the fire started in the closet.

- With the tulips? -ls everything clear now. Mr. Kent?

And I can tell you the ending too.

- I'm gonna turn out to be Superman. - Congratulations.

The picture of Superman's got nothing to do with it.

Three nights ago. I went out with my camera.

I sneaked up on some man standing by a wall.

I got the shot. but the man saw me...

...and chased me all the way home.

Next day. the very same man came to the door.

He wanted to buy the picture and negative. Offered us $5.

And he kept going higher and higher until he got to $1000.

He must've thought it was a wonderful picture.

I wouldn't sell. I’m entering that shot in a photography contest.

That's the point. You wouldn't sell.

So he came back. ransacked your darkroom.

He didn't get what he was looking for.

L'd like to look at this man of yours.

Say. that's pretty smart.

Who'd look for valuables in a wastepaper basket?

It's nothing. Just basic psychology.

That's what we need around here. Some good old basic psychology.

Alan took a lovely picture of me once. Would you like to see it?

Thank you. Some other time.

This is a good picture. but why is it so important to this man?

Why would he break in here to get it and start a fire?

How far would he go to get it?

I wouldn't wanna be the one to find out.

That's why we needed Superman.

And now you're not Superman. Oh. dear.

By the way. Alan. did he get the negative of the Superman picture?

Yeah. he got that one.

It doesn't matter. I suppose.

Can I take this? I might turn up something.

Okay. I guess it'll be safer with you than with me.

If you keep it in a wastebasket.

I wouldn't dream of keeping it anywhere else.

Well. I'll drop back tomorrow. let you know if I find out anything.

And remember. tomorrow is another day.

Yes. ma'am. and the day after too.

Yes. Yes. it is.

- Clark? - Oh. no.

You went out pretty fast a while ago and you come back looking pretty grim.

- What's up? - Nothing important. Lois.

It’ll bet. I can tell when you're up to something. Mr. Kent.

- Lois. please. I'll explain later. -l'll go see if there's any messages.

Well.

You have a picture I want. Mr. Kent.

I liked you better with the tulips.

Tulips are my weakness. but not quite as persuasive.

The picture. please.

Sure you don't have another picture you'd trade for it?

If you mean the negatives from the boy's darkroom...

...l glanced through them hurriedly. The picture I want isn't there. lt's here.

Well. looks like you have the advantage.

You're a sensible man.

After all. the picture means everything to me. nothing to you.

He's 25 years younger than I am.

He just got on the Valley Express and he has the picture.

That's a nonstop run. He can't get off for half an hour.

Who cares about the schedule? What do we do?

It’ll tell you what we can do.

Suppose the Express is wrecked. A lot of confusion, people get hurt.

So, Bill and me are there to give a helping hand.

But we rescue the picture.

Are you sure the subway will be wrecked?

These things happen, Burt. They happen.

Lois. look. l...

Looked like follow the leader. so I decided to get into the act.

The game's over. See you back at the office.

You won't see me back anyplace.

I'm going to find out what you're up to.

It could happen anytime in the next half-hour.

- What could happen? - Nothing. Lois. Look. will you please let--?

Where you go. I go. Mr. Kent.

All right.

You know what to do.

This is better than Casey Jones.

Burt?

Yeah. like clockwork.

Ever hear of a local catching up on an express? This one's going to.

Yeah. we slugged the motorman and it's running wild.

In about three stations. It'll catch up. And:

Haven't much of that half-hour left?

Lois. isn't there anything else to do besides tagging along?

Not at the moment. Sorry.

- Lois. do you hear something funny? - Why. no.

A burglar alarm. That means a story.

Okay. Lois. it's your scoop.

Lois. did you get your holdup story?

There wasn't a holdup. just a short-circuit in the alarm.

But I got something better.

Story of Superman preventing a subway collision.

Yes. I-- I heard about it.

Biggest story of the week. Too bad you missed it.

- Hi. Jimmy. - Oh. hi. Lois.

Where have you been?

Well. it's kind of a weird story. Mr. Kent.

- I only believe about half of it myself. - I see.

I see you've still got the picture.

Of the hundreds of things I don't understand...

...one is why you were so willing to give it up.

Well. really. it's very simple. Jimmy.

See. the man had a gun on me.

Besides. it would be better he take the picture and I follow him.

Well. all I know is the man with the tulips is the man who has a picture of you--

Oh. Superman.

Well. I think we'd better go see Inspector Henderson.

Anything you say. Mr. Kent.

But I don't know which picture worries you most.

And it isn't important you should. Come on.

L've seen that face somewhere before.

If I can only find it in the mug book.

There he is.

That's it.

Burt Burnside. Alias. The Tulip.

You seem to know all about him.

Sure. I know all about him.

He's dead.

Then he's got an awful healthy ghost.

He's right. We've both seen him.

Maybe you two better take a vacation.

As far as I’m concerned. he's dead.

This picture could've been taken five years ago.

No. Bill. not this one. Look.

See this playbill behind there. advertising Molly and Me?

This is a brand new play. Opened in Metropolis two weeks ago.

If that's his picture. he's still alive.

What can you tell me about him? I mean. before all this.

Well. he used to be a pretty good con man.

Mostly in the insurance game.

I don't think I like his policy.

Looks like he's still at it, too.

He was insured for $50,000. payable to his two partners.

- And they both collected? - Sure.

Body turns up beside Highway 12. Burt's body.

“Hit and run." the coroner says.

Double indemnity.

Two times fifty. $100,000. Company pays off.

And he isn't even dead.

But somebody else is, Jim.

That body by the roadside wasn't any department-store dummy.

What are you gonna do?

It’ll put out an “all points“ on those characters.

No. Let me handle this.

I can't do it. Kent. Those men are killers.

Just give me 24 hours. I've never let you down before. have I?

-It’ll give you half of that. but be careful. - Thanks.

It shouldn't take a man like Mr. Kent even that long.

Come along. junior.

My story. and you have to butcher it.

I'm just adding one paragraph. Lois.

I know Burt and his pals will read every account of the subway collision.

Near collision. Thanks to Superman.

There. How's it sound. Jimmy?

“One of the lucky passengers on the express...

...was James Olsen of this paper.

He was on his way to deliver a photograph to a group of contest editors in the Valley.

Said Mr. Olsen:

'After what happened. I decided to mail the picture.

Let Uncle Sam deliver it tomorrow.”

So that's what I said.

Looks like. Think it'll do the trick?

Oh. sure. Except I’m not quite sure what the trick is.

Now. my story. please. if you don't mind.

Unless you'd like to rewrite the whole thing.

Well.

Well. what do we do now?

Nothing. The next move is up to them.

I hope.

You read this?

Certainly.

We gotta be up at dawn and hold up the early mail truck to the Valley.

You get up. I sleep late.

Sometimes I wonder why I do this for you.

Look at all I've done for you. I died for you.

Look. Let's face it. this is a three-man job.

We all gotta go.

Maybe you're right.

Here he comes.

Hey. what's the big idea here?

Fool. why'd you plug him?

He saw us. didn't he?

Who'd ever think I'd end up driving the United States mail?

And you don't look enough like a mail driver to get by.

Better get going to the hideout. fast.

You were supposed to get the picture...

...not the entire post office department!

Quit your beefing. We wasn't gonna sort this stuff in broad daylight.

It's gotta be one of these sacks.

Old newspapers.

The Daily Planet.

I regret to say this. gentlemen. but I’m afraid that we've met our match.

I done all I could. Burt.

But from now on. you're no good to us. Let's get out of here. Bill.

You forgot your truck.

L've been expecting you. Superman.

- Expecting me? - Of course.

First. am I right in assuming that Hank and Bill got only a few feet away?

That's right.

And second. am I right in assuming that the police are on their way here?

Right again.

And thirdly. that you wanted to have a talk with me?

How did you guess that?

Come now. I’m a con man. I know a game when I see one.

Perhaps you'd tell me what this game is.

It's a game called Let's Make a Deal.

If you know me at all. you know I don't make deals.

There's always a first time.

If you'll get me away from here safely before the police arrive...

...l'll tell you where the picture is.

The picture that proves you and Clark Kent are actually one and the same person.

As I understand it. Clark Kent has already explained that was a double exposure.

I'm not that gullible.

Well. assuming that I refuse this deal of yours...

...then I'll have the pleasure of revealing your true identity.

Here they come. You can still get me safely away.

Sorry. you're on your own now.

Okay. Burt. school's out.

Well. come in. gentlemen.

I was just leaving. but since I have company--

I see you've branched out. Burt. Into the truck-stealing business...

-...and murder. - Murder. inspector?

Maybe you can prove the body that my partners collected insurance on...

...was not mine. But that's fraud. not murder.

When the crime lab establishes your car was the death weapon...

...that's murder. Burt. not just fraud.

Thought I was gonna be late. Looks like I have plenty of time.

Your little act doesn't fool me. I told you what I was going to do.

Gentlemen...

...as a final gesture. I intend to prove...

...that Clark Kent is actually Superman.

- This. I'd like to see. - So would I.

What are you saying. Burt?

If Mr. Kent would kindly step back against a wall.

- Anything to oblige. - You don't mind if I smoke while I explain?

- No. go ahead. - Thank you.

Careless of me.

- Mr. Kent! -lt's all right, Jimmy.

But. he couldn't have missed you. He fired point blank.

Proves my point.

Kent should be lying there dead.

There's the spent bullet. Ask him why it didn't go through him.

Can you explain it. Kent?

Yes. inspector. As a matter of fact. I think I can.

Fortunately. I happened to have a lucky silver dollar in my pocket.

- And this stopped the bullet? - Yes. Jimmy.

This must be your lucky day.

Shows how stupid a crook can be.

Imagine him thinking you could be Superman.

Well. now. just a minute. It isn't that funny.

Don't worry. Mr. Kent. We think you're all right just like you are.

Thanks. Jimmy.

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