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.

Can you imagine cub reporter Jimmy Olsen...

---reading the riot act to editor Perry White?

White. I can't rely on you to do a simple thing like going out for sandwiches.

I'm sorry. sir. It won't happen again.

Believe me. it won't happen again.

It all began the night Perry White had an attack of insomnia.

He tried counting sheep.

One. two...

...three. four.

But it did no good.

Five million. Five million and one. Five million and two.

So he got up, thinking he might be hungry.

There was a cold turkey leg in the refrigerator.

Also some leftover clam chowder.

And all sorts of other tidbits...

...which he topped off with a cigar.

After that, he didn't know whether he felt better or not.

But at least he slept...

...or thinks he did.

And then suddenly it was bright daylight.

He realized he was late.

He shaved, showered and dressed...

...then raced across town in a taxi to the Daily Planet building...

and up to the editorial offices on the 18th floor.

What do you think you're doing?

Kent! Kent!

- Did you call me. chief? - No. ls your name Kent?

- What's all the shooting about? -ls your name Kent?

- No. sir. I’m Jimmy Olsen. chief. - Don't call me “chief“!

Can either of you nitwits tell me what that man is doing?

Well. it looks like he's taking your name off the door.

Who told you to do such a ridiculous thing?

Superman!

Oh. so it's you. is it? What's the big idea?

Well. actually. Mr. White. It was your own idea.

My idea? What do you mean?

Don't you remember several months ago...

...a number of Metropolis' civic leaders...

...agreed to my plan of instituting a Boy's Day program?

That's right, chief. And you were one of the most enthusiastic.

- You mean to say that he--? - Yes. sir. Yes. sir.

I'm gonna be editor of the Daily Planet for the next 24 hours.

I expect plenty of cooperation out of everybody.

- Why. you-- - Remember. Mr. White...

...this was partly your own idea.

Now. listen to me.

Talking about these things is one thing...

...but actually doing them is absolutely silly.

Great Caesar's ghost!

What gives you the idea that a whippersnapper like Olsen...

...can run the most important paper in Metropolis?

- After all. it's only for 24 hours. - He can ruin the paper in 24 hours!

Actually. Mr. White. the city is very quiet.

Most of the hoodlums are behind bars.

- Thanks to you. - And the point is this:

Nothing terribly important can happen in such a short space of time.

You mean I’m just a figurehead?

You're just a figure. With no head!

Look. chief. there's a boy mayor. a boy chief of police...

...and a boy everything else in town today.

So I guess you're just stuck with a boy editor.

Okay-

I'll be in the city room if you want me.

- Chief. - Don't call me “chief!“

- Good luck. Jim. - Thanks. Superman.

Golly. what a reporter he'd make.

Why. he could be to the fires before the fire engines.

But if he thinks I’m gonna sit here for the next 24 hours doing nothing...

...he's just as wrong as Mr. White is.

- You mean you're really gonna be boss? - You bet!

Since there aren't any good stories coming in. I’m gonna make one.

- Well. like how? - Do you remember Legs Leemy?

Sure. He was the chief suspect in that $2 million armored-car holdup...

...about five or six years ago. They didn't have enough evidence to convict him.

That's right, Miss Lane. But it wasn't five or six years ago.

It was seven years ago tomorrow.

After today. the statute of limitations will protect him...

...and they'll never be able to try Leemy for the holdup.

That's exactly what I mean.

Hello? Give me the press-room.

Jimmy. wait. You don't have any new evidence.

Press-room. hold page one for a replate.

- Did you get it? - Yeah.

“Brilliant young editor of Daily Planet...

...unearths new evidence in Legs Leemy case.“

- Gee. Legs. you read real good! - Shut up. Let the boss read about his self.

“Ferret-like investigation work on the part of James Olsen...

...editor of the Daily Planet...

...has turned up new evidence which may...

...at the last minute. convict the notorious Legs Leemy...

...before the seven-year statute of limitations...

...allows this dangerous public enemy...

...to walk the streets a guilty but free man.“

- Gee. Legs. that's a real good write-up. - You think I’m looking for publicity?!

Twenty-four hours from now. they couldn't touch me.

But if this punk kid has really turned something up--

- Hey. that could be bad. huh. boss? - Very bad. For him. Come on. let's go.

Well.

Hello. Kent.

I thought you were Jimmy Olsen. I've often caught him that way.

I almost am Olsen for today. heaven help me.

Oh. yes. I'd forgotten. chief.

Today. you and Jimmy are trading places. Is that right?

Kent, that young whippersnapper's gonna ruin this newspaper.

- In one day? - Less. probably.

Did you see that ridiculous story he ran on page one?

Yes. it's quite a story. Don't you think he's turned something up?

Bosh! The finest police minds in this country...

...tried to pin that story on Legs Leemy and couldn't.

- You don't think he has new evidence? - Do you?

I think I'd better ask him.

- Oh. Kent. - Yes?

Do you mind sharing your office with me today?

I just can't stand the way everybody looks at me down in the city room.

Sure. chief. glad to have you.

- Did you find anything in those files? - No. How about you?

Nothing. Absolutely nothing.

I guess I really stuck my neck out this time.

When you stick your neck out. you know what can happen?

You mean like what happened to the turkey on Thanksgiving Day.

- That's what I mean. - That's right, Jim.

You're boss today. but White comes back tomorrow.

He could fire you for running a phony story.

But. golly. Mr. Kent...

...the chief talks about aggressive journalism...

...getting behind the story, making it happen.

Sure. But when you start to make something happen...

...you'd better really do it. Or else.

You know what I mean?

Maybe we'd better start trying real hard, Jim.

Yeah. Give me another stack of those folders, will you?

- I flicked the switch on the intercom. - Good idea.

At least you can hear what's going on in there.

It's gonna be hard on my nerves...

...but if that idiot starts burning down the building...

...nobody will blame me for going in with a fire extinguisher.

I've looked through 80 jilion folders, Jim, and I'm right where I started.

The Daily Planet and its brilliant young editor never rest, Miss Lane.

I'll see Legs Leemy in jail if it's the last thing I do.

And it may well be the last thing you do, pal!

- Legs Leemy! - Great Caesar's ghost!

- Now. Legs? - Yeah. Now.

- You wouldn't dare. - Wait a minute.

Miss Lane doesn't know anything about this. If you gotta shoot anybody. shoot me.

- They're gonna shoot them. Do something! -lt's too dangerous.

- For you. maybe! - Wait a minute.

If we rush in. there's sure to be shooting.

I don't think Legs Leemy wants to add murder to his list of crimes right now.

Maybe you're right.

- Better play for time. - Exactly.

- I do wish Superman were here. - Even Superman couldn't help right now.

He could break in and take those two thugs...

...but meanwhile. Lois and Jimmy might get hurt.

That crazy kid.

L guess I'm just a crazy kid. Miss Lane.

I wouldn't have gotten you into this [am for anything.

Point that thing down. will you? It makes me nervous.

So. what's this new evidence you got on me. kid?

I'm not gonna tell you anything.

Okay. Toots. you can raise it again.

Wait a minute. I'll tell you.

Down. Toots.

Honest. Legs-- I mean. Mr. Leemy...

...l don't know anything.

- Now will you let Miss Lane go? - Who you trying to kid. hero?

But it's true. The whole story was just made up.

So you have nothing to worry about. Why. you can leave any time you want.

Please. lady. you pain me.

No big newspaper's gonna pull a story like that if they can't back it up.

Besides. it don't make no difference anyways.

- It don't? I mean. it doesn't? - No. Because by midnight tonight...

...they won't be able to prosecute me for that holdup anyways.

Se we just sit around here till tomorrow...

...all five of us. real cozy-like.

And if nobody bothers us. nothing's gonna happen to you kids...

...and it'll be a real happy ending for everybody.

So now be good little children and sit over there on that divan.

Well. at least Lois and Jimmy are safe.

And those hoodlums are making fools out of all of us.

By George. when the Planet prints a story. it means it!

Aren't you changing your tune? You're gonna back Jimmy up now?

He's the editor. I'll back him to the limit. Until tomorrow.

Then I'll fire that whippersnapper so fast. It'll make his head swim!

Meanwhile. let's alert the authorities. I don't want Legs and his thugs to get away.

Bells. whistles. sirens.

Sounds like a five-alarm fire.

They got the whole block surrounded.

Looks like we're gonna have to shoot our way out.

Always wanted to shoot my way out. just like they do in the movies.

Stupid! We don't have to do anything like that.

By midnight. we walk out of here free men.

Aren't you forgetting something. Legs?

- Looks like they thought of everything. - Not quite. Jim.

Okay. smart sister. What'd I forget?

Simply that even if you wait out the time, they'll get you on a new charge.

A gun charge.

- Smart girl. Lois. - She should've kept it to herself.

She's right. Why didn't one of you lugs think about that?

You're supposed to be the brains. Legs. Why didn't you think of it?

Shut up!

We could always jam it down the kid's throat.

So the worst we draw is a year on a gun rap...

...instead of 20 to 30 for that armed robbery.

Then we're out. and we still got the $2 million.

You mean you've actually got the 2 million?

- With you? - Right here. In this bag.

What's so funny?

Well. for Pete's sake! You don't think they'll let you keep it, do you?

You mean they really won't let us keep it. Legs?

It's ours. We stole it, didn't we?

Hanging around with you two stupes must be catching.

But I know one thing for sure.

If we don't walk out of here tomorrow morning...

...without being pinched and with the dough...

...a certain smart-aleck. genius boy-type editor...

...ain't never going no place again. ever!

He means you. Jim.

Meanwhiles, we got lots of time to kill. So relax.

Relax? Sure. Why not?

Anybody for sandwiches?

Sure. kid. sure. Like they say in the books:

“The condemned man ate a hearty sandwich.“

Hello. Gertrude? Will you please tell Mr.--?

I mean. tell White to send some sandwiches in here. And tell him to hurry.

Open it.

- The sandwiches. chief. - Close it.

- Who are these men? - Oh. they're just casual friends of mine.

I thought maybe they were machine-gun salesmen.

- No. it ain't legal to sell machine guns. - All right. cut the act, pops.

You and all them squad cars out there. you know what the score is.

- But we ain't worried. are we? - Us. worried?

Well. I hope the sandwiches will be satisfactory.

You didn't say what kind to get...

...and I hate to make decisions without your approval.

I wouldn't worry about it, White. They're gonna be all right.

- Going someplace, kid? - Me? Of course not.

Well. then sit down!

Well. might as well eat them while they're hot. I guess.

- Hamburgers. - Wait a minute.

Gosh. boss. what's the matter?

How do we know them things ain't poisoned?

Poisoned?

You don't think they'd poison Miss Lane and me. do you?

They might sacrifice you to get to us.

Look. I'll prove to you they're all right.

Hold it! Nobody eats those hamburgers. you hear me?

I'm gonna throw them over the balcony.

My. that's a pretty gun you have.

- Thanks. - So nice and clean.

- Gee. it must be fun to have a lot of guns. - A lot? Who needs a lot?

All we got is Betsy.

Oh. just the one. eh?

You must be strong. Why. I bet I couldn't even lift it.

Sure you could. Betsy ain't heavy.

Here. see?

Don't anybody move.

Nice going. Miss Lane. I'll tell them to send in the police.

Someday. Toots. I’m gonna buy a microscope and examine your brain!

Gertrude. send the police into my office immediately.

Gertrude?

Looks like you were cut off, huh. kid?

Stay where you are.

Now. Miss Lane. let's face it.

You're just not the sort of girl...

...who could go around blasting people with a gun like that. Right?

I'm afraid I’m not.

But if it doesn't have bullets in it. you couldn't use it either.

- Kent. we've got to do something! - Smart girl! She's firing at the ceiling.

It's even lighter now. Toots. with all the bullets gone.

Come on. Jim. let's go.

Okay. that's far enough.

But Toots said that was the only gun.

That was the only machine gun. Miss Lane.

Now get back over there and do like I said. Relax!

Sure. And what better atmosphere could we have to do it in?

Allow me.

Well. in as much as even you are my superior on the paper today...

...what do you suggest we do about this ridiculous situation?

- Chief. I wish I could think of something-- - Mr. Legs...

...you should read Miss Lane's etiquette column.

She says it's impolite to point, especially with a gun in your hand.

You ought to read my column.

It says when my stomach gets empty, I get nervous.

My gun hand begins to shake.

Why didn't that crazy fool eat those sandwiches?

- He was afraid they were poisoned. - I wish they were.

And I wish Olsen had eaten several of them.

Soon as I get through splitting this up. boys. we each grab a stack.

In 15 minutes. we walk out of here free as birds.

Excuse me. Mr. Legs. but you just made a mistake.

You put an extra one into your pile.

Why. yeah. So I did. so I did.

Imagine that.

I don't know what I'd do without you. kid.

Neither do we. Here. That's for keeping him honest.

Gee. thanks.

Hey. Miss Lane.

Does the serial number 69296970G mean anything to you?

It sure does. Those files we went through.

That was one of the listed serial numbers on the stolen bills.

So what?

So this money is all the evidence they need to send you guys up the river.

Oh. no.

Why doesn't he just ask them to shoot him and get it over with?

Thanks, kid.

I didn't know whether they had those numbers or not.

So now I quit being nice.

One phony move out of you. and your number's up.

I can just see the headlines tomorrow:

“Boy Editor Opens Big Mouth Once Too Often.“

How true. how true.

Kent. we've got to do something quick.

I don't want anything to happen to Olsen. Until I get my hands on him.

I can't think of anything. Maybe fresh air will give me an idea.

- Wait. I'll go with you. - No. someone ought to stay here.

I'm just the office boy. remember?

That's right, you are. So I'll make it an order. Stay here!

It's a bit unusual. but seeing as it's you. Superman. I suppose it'll be all right.

- Thank you. doctor. lt's very urgent. - This should do the trick. lt's a new type.

Very effective, but harmless. No odor. no bad aftereffects.

Thanks again. I'll let you know what happens.

Three minutes to go.

You gotta give the kid credit. Legs.

Having the nerve to go to sleep at a time like this.

Yeah. I guess so.

There's something about yawning.

One person does it...

...and before you know it...

...everybody's doing it.

Ain't it the truth.

Hey. stupid. what do you think you're...?

Move over.

- Kent. I’m going crazy. - What's the matter?

Nothing. Except I'd swear that everyone in my office has gone fast asleep.

This may sound crazy. but I have a hunch it's now or never.

You get ahold of the police downstairs. then follow me right in.

Chief. get Jimmy. Bring him over here at the window.

I'm sorely tempted to do something I'd probably never regret.

- Chief. - What happened?

That's what we'd like to know. What made you all go to sleep?

Ask Jimmy.

It was merely a matter of the power of suggestion.

I knew if they saw me yawning and falling asleep...

...their subconscious libido would force a chain reaction...

...enter their cerebellum. Inducing involuntary slumber.

You gotta use your head when you're behind that desk, you know.

Well. however you did it. it worked.

In fact. it's the most important arrest of this year.

The mayor and the chief of police are on their way up here now to do the honors.

The mayor and chief of police. sir.

- Take over. chief. - Yes. sir.

- Good work. chief. - I don't know why adults make a fuss.

- Take over. officer. - Yes. sir.

I can't believe it.

I must go home and go to bed...

...so that when I wake up...

...l'll realize this whole thing never happened.

That's a good idea. chief. And when you do wake up. look at a calendar.

And if it's today. you'll realize this whole thing was just a bad dream.

[ENGLISH]