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.

As judge of the juvenile court. I must make some provision for you...

...while your uncle's waiting trial.

Just let me take care of myself, judge.

I'm afraid that's impossible.

You're a minor, and a suitable guardian must be found for you.

I don't need a guardian. I can get along.

You think you know the answers. don't you. Frankie?

Listen. judge. I lived with my old man before he died.

He was a square.

He worked like a dog all his life and we never had nothing.

Then my uncle took me in. We had everything.

Everything but a decent home and somebody to love you.

I don't need any of that junk.

I'm not like the other guys. I’m different, see.

Send Mr. Kent in. please.

Kent. What's he got to do with me?

Just an idea. Frankie. I'd like you to listen.

Hello. Frankie.

Let's lay it on the line. Mr. Kent.

I feel the same about you as I feel about Superman.

Oh. and how's that?

Don't you know? You dug up a lot of information to frame the Duke.

And if it hadn't been for Superman. we'd be in South America right now, with $200,000.

Money that your uncle stole, boy.

Can't you see that you're wasting your affection. wasting yourself...

...on a man who is simply no good?

The Duke is my uncle. and he's my friend.

And he'd stick by me. and I’m gonna stick by him.

Loyalty's a fine thing. Frankie. when it's not misplaced.

Mr. Kent has offered to look after you until we find a suitable home...

...or some other relatives.

Give it a try. Frankie.

Jimmy Olsen's staying with me while his mother's away.

He'd be a pal for you.

You may find it's not bad on our side of the fence.

I told Superman not to do me any favors. The same goes for you.

All I wanna do is see the Duke. I got a legal right.

All right. Frankie. I'll arrange it.

Well. just in case you change your mind. I'll give you my address.

- Hi. Frankie. - Hi.

Is it real bad. Duke?

It ain't good. The dirty rats.

They confiscate the money in the suitcase. then slap me with $100,000 bail.

Shows they know you're important. Duke.

- Yeah. How's it with you. kid? - Wait till you hear.

Clark Kent wants me to stay at his apartment...

...with him with that boy reporter. Olsen.

- What'd you tell him? - What do you think?

Frankie. you're gonna do it.

- What for? - Listen ...

...we know Kent has dug up enough evidence to put me away.

But we don't know what kind of evidence. or how much.

But if we knew what kind of a case they've got...

...we could arrange payoffs and alibis...

...and buy enough witnesses so they look silly.

That's it. If you can't get it from Kent. maybe you can from that Olsen kid.

It’ll do my best. Duke. You know that.

Sure. Frankie. You're the only one I can trust.

Remember what I always told you: Be smart.

Just a little smarter than the other guy.

You know. Duke. I think this is gonna be fun.

Okay. flatfoot. you can let me out now.

What's the matter. Mr. Kent? You hardly ate anything.

Don't you like my cooking?

Sure. Jimmy. I’m sorry. lt's swell.

It's just that I’m worried about Frankie Harris.

Well. golly...

...if the guy wants to be a hoodlum all his life. I don't see what you can do about it.

Excuse me.

Frankie! Come on in. boy.

- Hi. Frankie. I’m Jim Olsen. - Hi.

- Sit down. - Thanks.

We got some food left. Have a bite.

No. No. thanks. I ate already.

- What made you change your mind? - I don't know.

I guess I like to be with guys that use their head.

You gotta be plenty smart to get something on the Duke. like you did.

Just doing my job.

Could you teach me to be a reporter?

I mean. tell me how you dig up the stuff. like you got on the Duke.

Come down to the office tomorrow. we'll see what we can do.

Sure. In the afternoon all right?

Be fine. Well. I think this is gonna work out all right.

Yeah. so do I.

Checkmate.

I don't dig this game. boss.

You will. you will.

- Hello. Fixer. - Hello.

Remember me? I’m Frankie. I used to be with the Duke.

- Oh. yes. his nephew. I believe. Correct? - Right.

- Sit down. - Thanks.

Too bad about the Duke.

I knew him well. he was a very fine operator.

I presume your business with me has to do with the Duke's recent...

...embarrassment with the law?

Here's the setup. Fixer.

I'm living with Clark Kent and Jimmy Olsen.

I think I can get the information I need from one of them. probably Olsen.

At least we'll have a chance in court.

What exactly has this got to do with me?

If I can't get what I’m after. you take over.

- Oh. I do? - You're the only one that can arrange it.

A bust-out, while he's still in county jail.

I see. If you can't risk a trial. you want an escape.

- Can you do it? - Naturally. I can fix anything. for a price.

How much?

Shall we say, about $5000?

Count it. Fixer.

As I said, my price is $5000. down payment.

What do you mean. down payment?

I mean you'll have to guarantee another $5000. after the job.

I don't have it. All I got left is a few hundred.

- Where did you get this? - The Duke stashed it in case we got busted.

Sorry. but it's not enough.

- Okay. I'll get the rest of it. - How?

- Never mind. I'll get it. - Good. lt's a deal.

- Hi. Frankie. - Hi.

I thought this was supposed to be Mr. Kent's office.

It is. but he lets me use it when I’m concentrating on a story.

Where you been?

No place.

I'm sorry. I guess that's none of my business.

Well. just in time for the guided tour.

On your left, you have a magnificent view of James Olsen. Esq.

- Hello, Mr. Kent. - How are you, Frankie?

And this is my office.

If you want to be a reporter, choose to spend half your life in a place like this.

Not very fancy. is it?

No. lt's not a very glamorous profession either.

Most people seem to think reporters are just like Superman.

Let's get one thing straight. Mr. Kent.

I don't even wanna be reminded of Superman. I hate him.

All right. Frankie. let's just drop it. shall we.

- Frankie. Welcome to the catacombs. - Hi. Miss Lane.

The chief told me to see you. Clark.

- I need a voucher for $1000. - For what?

The Planet's donating television sets to the Children's Hospital.

- The man's here for the money. - That's good enough for me.

What do you use around here. the honor system?

Pretty much so.

Once Clark signs the note. we turn it in for cash downstairs.

See. I’m beginning to learn something already.

I thought you'd keep it all in a bank.

You have no idea the amount of ready cash we use in just one day.

For example, we might have to send a reporter to Timbuktu at a moment's notice.

Or buy three television sets.

- Thanks. Clark. - You're welcome.

What about it, Mr. Kent?

Do you think I could get a job around here? It might help straighten me out.

- Wait just a minute. Here. sit down. - Thanks.

It’ll see what I can do.

Well. that wasn't too bad for a bachelor dinner. was it?

I thought it was pretty good. lt's just what I like. variety.

One night. pork and beans. the next night, beans and pork.

Well. what's on for tonight?

I don't know about you two. but I have to work at the office.

How come you don't do it here?

I do. sometimes. See you later.

Now. there's a real square for you.

What do you mean?

- I think Mr. Kent's a pretty swell guy. - No offense meant.

It's too late for him to change anyway.

But it's not for you. Jim.

- What are you driving at? - You want it straight from the shoulder?

Yeah. straight from the shoulder.

Take a good look at yourself and tell me what you see.

Myself.

It’ll tell you what I see.

I see a guy that could use a new pair of shoes...

...a guy that has to shop in the basement...

...a guy that's gonna burn himself out working for somebody else all his life.

Now. take a look at me. What do you see?

- I'm not sure. -l'll tell you.

Tomorrow. I got a birthday.

- We'll have to give you a party. - That's not why I said it.

I never had a party in my life. Who needs it?

But I've had everything else.

Take a look at this suit.

Two hundred bucks.

- For one suit? - Sure.

Wait a minute.

Here. put this on.

Hey. I never wore anything like this before in my life.

- It's yours. - Jeepers.

Here's a little something to go along with the suit.

A hundred and fifty dollars?

Plenty more where that come from. Jim. If you play it smart.

The Duke can always use a young guy that wants to get ahead.

- The Duke's in jail. - He'll be out again.

And doing big things. with me and you.

Golly. Frankie. you know. that sounds good to me.

I even got a funny feeling here inside me. like some new power.

Stick with me. Jim. and you'll learn to love that feeling.

And. Jim...

...l've been taking a chance. talking to you this way.

You could tell Kent.

But just remember which of us would lose the most.

Listen. Frankie. a guy can smarten up a lot in a couple of minutes.

“Documents of evidence. Duke Dillon case.“

- Babe. won't you ever learn? - Gee. boss. this game beats me.

- Hello? - Fixer?

Just a minute.

For you.

- Who is it? - Frankie.

I gotta make it fast. Kent might come back any minute.

I got the stuff on the Duke. it ought to tell us exactly what we wanna know.

I can't leave. though.

You know where I am. so send a car over here and park in front.

Blink the lights twice. I'll toss the stuff out the window.

- Got it? - Got it. I'll send Babe.

Special delivery.

A highly incriminating assortment of data if I ever saw any.

Isn't it a little late for you to be up reading. Fixer?

At least if I don't get to read this. nobody else will.

Almost takes your breath away.

- Superman. I was only following orders. - Shut up.

All right. Superman. so you've got it. so good night.

But please. if you don't mind. open the door before you go through it.

I don't know what I’m gonna do about you two.

I can tell you that. Nothing.

Babe found that file lying on the sidewalk.

There's nothing illegal about picking it up.

So. again. good night.

Good night, Fixer.

- You sent for me. chief? - Yes.

Kent. I think you should send Frankie back to the juvenile authorities.

But why?

You've been worried about something all morning.

Jimmy's acting like a kid again. and I don't like it.

Frankie must have something to do with it.

I'm afraid you're right, chief.

Haven't you anything better to do than mill around here and bother me?

L've been beating my brains out all morning. I’m not gonna kill myself.

Well. just who's killing themselves?

Well. not Little Lord Fauntleroy. that's for sure.

- Well. what's with you. Junior? - Me? Nothing.

Well. Did Frankie come in yet?

Nope. He said he was sick this morning. I guess he still is.

I see. Well. how about lunch? Let's go to Tony's.

Lunch. sure.

But not Tony's.

I take you to someplace fancy. Frankie showed me last night.

It's okay by me. How about you. Lois?

No. thanks. Tony's is still good enough for me.

All right. Come on. Junior. bring your money.

- Frankie? - Yeah. Fixer?

Did you get it? Did you get the stuff?

What does Kent have on the Duke?

That's why I’m calling you.

I was ready to go over it last night when Superman showed up.

- I don't have to tell you the rest. - Superman again.

-It’ll get even with him someday. - That's someday.

Right now. we've got to spring the Duke. I've already made the arrangements.

That's swell. When do we move?

As soon as you show me guarantee of payment.

- I told you. I'll get it. - All right. then come on over.

L've got some information I want you to pass on to the Duke.

Hey. I’m gonna knock off early.

Tell the chief I figured I did enough work for one day.

That's all. Come here. Come right here. I mean it.

Now. what is this routine?

- Routine. what do you mean? - You know what I mean. let's have it.

L've got enough on my mind without worrying about you turning on me.

Yeah.

Maybe it is better for you to know.

Well. you see. Mr. Kent...

...last night. Frankie started talking to me.

He tried to sell me a bill of goods so I'd join him and Duke.

And that's it, Mr. Kent.

I knew Frankie was up to something.

I thought if I played along. I could find out what it was.

Well. what do you know. But why didn't you tell us?

I don't know. I figured it would come off better this way.

But I guess it wasn't quite fair.

Well. I wouldn't worry about it. You go on back to the apartment. I'll see you later.

Even I feel better. I was beginning to hate myself.

Hey. Frankie.

Hey. Frankie. What's the rush? Where we going?

We're not going anyplace.

- What's the matter, you talk like-- - Like I heard what you told Kent upstairs.

Yeah. And I thought we were gonna be pals.

I must be going soft in the head when I think I got friends that'll stick by me.

Frankie. I know it looks pretty awful.

But it was only to keep you from getting in real trouble.

Why don't you try it on a violin.

- Frankie. I’m sorry it turned out this way. - All right. Frankie. in the car.

You. beat it. Save yourself some trouble.

- No. I’m staying with Frankie. - Better do like he says.

No. I’m sticking.

Okay. but don't say I didn't give you a chance. Now get in the car. both of you.

Come on. hurry up.

What's wrong with you? Why didn't you beat it?

I don't know. I guess I’m crazy.

All right. Frankie. around the alley. back of the butcher's place.

All right. out.

All right. Frankie. let's have it.

I haven't got anything of yours.

That's what you think. The Duke owed me 5 grand.

- I'm collecting. - I haven't got it.

The Fixer thinks you do. or he wouldn't have arranged for the spring.

It’ll get the money. sure. But I gotta give it to the Fixer.

- You'll get yours someday. -l'll get it today. or else.

Look. I gotta give it to the Fixer. to spring the Duke.

If there was a sucker born every minute. you took care of an hour's worth.

What do you mean?

Couple months ago. the Duke got in trouble with the River Gang.

One of his boys was operating in their territory. right?

Yeah. So far. yeah.

A week later. you got nailed in an alley and beat up real good. right?

Yeah. I'll settle that someday too.

Then settle it with the Duke.

The Duke had to show his good faith. let the River Gang teach somebody a lesson.

He needed a patsy. Frankie. so he threw you to the dogs.

That's a lie. Babe.

I know it's true. He arranged it through the Fixer.

And you know it's true because only the Duke knew where you'd be that night.

The Duke was taking me to South America. Then Superman caught up with us.

Yeah? Where are the plane tickets?

In my pocket. They gave me his stuff when he went to jail.

Look at them.

One. One ticket.

He was gonna leave me.

You had to find out sooner or later. Frankie.

He used me...

...just like he used everybody else.

Tough luck, kid. but that's life. I’m in a hurry. Let's have the dough.

Look. is it all right if I take care of it?

Well. sure. kid. I don't care where I get it. as long as I get it.

Get in.

- Well. hi. Frankie. - Hi.

Where have you two been?

Why. we've just been driving around. Right. Jimmy?

- I'm afraid I can't stay-- - Clark. we're ready.

Now. all together.

Happy birthday. Frankie.

Hey. what is this?

Well. let's have a speech. boy.

I don't know what to say.

L've never had a party before.

I guess I've never really had anything before tonight.

Gosh. it's a great feeling.

Excuse me.

Hello. this is Frankie.

What are you doing? You should be on your way.

I'm not going. lt's all off.

What do you mean. all off?

I can't stop it now. Now. listen to me. Frankie.

And that's not all.

At 7:00, the Duke is coming out of the manhole behind the stadium.

He'll be armed. If you don't meet him, someone will get hurt.

I’m not going through with it.

Jimmy. will you turn out the lights. please?

Frankie. make your wish and blow out all the candles.

Well. somebody turn on the lights.

- Frankie. did you make a wish? - Yes. sir.

I wished something that's supposed to happen tonight...

...is somehow prevented from happening.

That's a strange one. By the way. where's Clark?

Right here. chief.

Frankie. how does it feel to be a year older?

It feels wonderful. And. you know. I don't even hate Superman anymore.

Well. he'll be happy to know that. Very happy indeed.

[ENGLISH]