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.

And now, another exciting episode in the Adventures oi Superman.

The last wishes of Dr. Pearson. my master. will be obeyed to the letter.

It is for that reason that I've come to Metropolis.

And Dr. Pearson insisted on this private auction...

...with two participants bidding on what may or may not be in the box?

The box is not to be opened.

The university Egyptologist. Dr. Barnak...

...and a Mr. Whitlock. the proprietor of a Metropolis curio shop...

...both old acquaintances of Dr. Pearson. are to bid for the box.

They may know what is inside. I do not. I do not care to know.

- Excuse me. - Of course.

Yes? Please. Send Dr. Barnak up.

Why did you call us? You're not interested in the publicity.

Not for the box or for the auction. but only that. possibly. the memory of Dr. Pearson...

...a great archaeologist and almost a father to me. may possibly be enhanced.

We understand. Mr. Amid.

- Wait over there. - Please. Dr. Barnak. Can't I go with you?

I'm just dying to see what's in the box.

You may be my confidential secretary. Alma...

...but there are some things I intend to keep secret, even from you.

- Oh. excuse me. - Surely.

- Dr. Barnak? - Yes.

Please.

Miss Lane and Mr. Kent of the Daily Planet.

Reporters? Why?

The conditions of sale are not yours. my dear doctor.

- Mr. Whitlock? - That's right.

Miss Lane. Mr. Kent. Of the Daily Planet.

- How do you do? - How do you do?

- And. of course. you know Dr. Barnak. - We met.

- Then. gentlemen. shall we begin? - I’m agreeable.

Your bids. gentlemen?

- Five hundred dollars. - One thousand.

- Two thousand. - Four thousand.

Five.

- Six. - This isn't just a grab-bag gamble. Lois.

What could be in it?

I'm afraid even Superman can't tell you. not with that lead-foil wrapping.

All through. Dr. Barnak?

Seven thousand.

I hope you can afford this. doctor. Eight thousand.

There's more to this than meets the eye. I’m gonna check on these guys.

It’ll call the paper. see if we've got anything in the files. Stay here. okay?

May I trouble you for a pencil. Mr. Amid? I...

I have some figuring to do.

Never mind. Amid.

L've figured it out.

My last offer. Ten thousand dollars.

And you. sir?

Here's my check, Amid.

Dr. Barnak. about a story on the contents of that box--

- Not now. - Please. Barnak. you must listen to me.

You've cost me enough. Whitlock.

Please. Barnak. don't open that box. lt's evil. lt's got to be destroyed.

- You must listen to me! - Get away from me!

I'm telling you the truth, man.

- Don't open that-- - Get off!

He tried to stop Barnak. to warn him about not opening that box.

And Barnak paid $10,000 for it.

I'm all right. Thank you. Thank you for helping me.

You can help us. sir. if you will.

Ten thousand dollars and a mysterious box. you'd make a great story. Can you tell us?

No. it mustn't spread any further.

- It must be stopped. - But what must be stopped?

I'm sorry. I must get back to my shop.

But. Mr.--

I'll come with you. sir.

Beautiful, isn't it?

Aren't you going to open it now. Dr. Barnak?

No. not yet. Maybe Whitlock is right.

If there is a legend or a curse connected with this box...

...l've got to do some more research on it.

First. I don't know how. I've got to cover the check that I gave Amid.

Then I'll go to the university library. In the meantime. don't open that box.

Thank you. Mr. Kent.

I am very grateful for your help.

Sure you won't tell me more about that box?

Please. I'd rather not. The sooner it's destroyed. the better.

- Oh. you make puppets too? - No. it's a hobby of mine.

I like children. And they seem to enjoy an occasional show after school.

Oh. by the way. you reporters at the Daily Planet...

...you have a close contact with Superman. don't you?

From time to time, yes. Why?

Well. he's a great favorite with the youngsters.

Thank you very much. I mean. I’m sure Superman will be flattered to hear this.

You'll excuse me. but I have an important appointment. Do you mind?

Not at all.

I'm not giving up on that box. you know.

Nor am I.

It doesn't look like anybody's home.

Hello? Hello?

Jim. look!

-ls she dead? - I don't know. lt's hard to tell.

No. she's still alive, but barely breathing.

I better call an ambulance.

Just a moment.

What are you two doing here?

- The box. Where is it? Give it to me. - We haven't got your precious box.

We got here just a few seconds ago.

Shouldn't you be more concerned about her?

So Whitlock was right.

- Right about what? -“Don't open the box," he said.

Well. she did open it. And the curse...

...or whatever mysterious power she met with. overcame her.

But this is nonsense. lt's sheer superstition. Dr. Barnak.

- Certainly you don't-- - He was right.

But I know there's an answer. a way of escaping this.

But I've got to have the box.

Whitlock. He must have taken it. I’m sure of it.

Curio shop. Whitlock speaking.

Who? Oh. Barnak.

Yes. yes. I have it right here.

I thought as much.

It's mine. Whitlock. And I’m coming after it. I want it.

This box doesn't belong to anyone. Barnak.

It belongs to the past. an evil past. And I’m doing away with it.

You saw what it did to your secretary.

Well. I’m putting it where you won't find it. Barnak.

Where you or no one else will ever be harmed by it.

I'm putting it in my safe.

In mercy's name. get help for this poor girl.

You do it. I haven't got the time.

I'm afraid for Whitlock. Jim.

You take over here. and I'll pick up Clark at the office.

March. these ancient hieroglyphics mention the box...

...but they give no clue as to the curse.

Well...

Here. put the box in the safe. But be careful. Don't open it.

Yes. sir.

March. you haven't opened the“? March!

A little sooner than you expected. Whitlock.

Barnak. my clerk's in the back room.

He opened the box. and like your secretary--

He can wait.

Lock that door.

Those reporters again.

Get behind the counter. Pretend you're busy and don't let them in.

- Why won't he let us in? - Looks like he's rehearsing an act.

Well. you know these temperamental artists. We'll come back later.

It's good you did as you were told. I wasn't fooling.

Turn around.

Now for the box.

I appreciate your telling me about the safe.

I used this nitroglycerin for opening tombs in Egypt.

I never thought I'd have a use for it here.

You're a good host, Whitlock.

Well...

I didn't know your business ran to jewels like this.

You cost me $10,000 today. Whitlock.

This little collection ought to be worth about that.

This way. it makes it all come out even.

I love curio shops. Clark. They're such interesting places.

Yeah. That Whitlock's quite a character. isn't he?

It’ll bet knowing the Planet's a contact point for Superman...

...he put on that whole act for our benefit.

Wait a minute. Of course he did.

It was a message.

Remember how he acted out the part where the doll fell...

...and the Superman puppet came in and caught it?

He wanted Superman.

Lois. go back to the office. Tell them we may have a real story for them soon.

- I'm going back to that shop. - Okay.

Nitroglycerin. The clock!

If I hadn't seen it with my own eyes...

- And you are completely unhurt? - So are you. I’m glad to say. sir.

Barnak left that bottle accidentally. Or on purpose.

- Did he take the box with him? - He thinks he did.

I knew he was coming for it. so I’m afraid I led him astray.

This is the real box.

- The one he stole was a decoy. -It looks innocent enough.

Yes. but it carries a fearful curse.

A curse that has already been felt by Barnak's secretary and my clerk.

Your clerk? We must get him to a hospital at once.

I wish I could report that we've been able to identify...

...the condition of Barnak's secretary and the clerk. but it's an unknown factor.

I would say that the closest description I could give of the victims of this...

- Curse. -...jewel box...

...is that they're in a state of suspended animation.

- How long can they live like that? - Only a matter of hours.

Now that Mr. Whitlock has brought it to us...

...l'll send it to the laboratory for analysis.

But it's ridiculous to believe such a superstition. Why. look here.

Look. the jewel.

Put her on the couch.

- Please. - Surely.

Mr. Kent. don't!

Chief. Dr. Wilson. Look here. please.

This needle. It was in the lock spring. and it broke off.

- There's the answer. an injected poison. - What a monstrous sapphire.

- Yes. - No wonder Dr. Barnak wanted it.

May I see this. Mr. Kent?

This carved leaf...

...and the hieroglyphic under it...

...the symbol represents “antidote.“

- And the leaf? -lt's the leaf of the pyramid plant.

And according to legend. it only grows at the base of the Great Pyramid in Egypt.

Egypt? That's days away. even by jet plane. By that time. it will be too late.

Well. there is a chance, Kent. If we can contact Superman.

Yes. chief. I'll go back to the office and see what I can do. Excuse me. sir.

I wonder...

Kent opened this box too. yet he didn't succumb to the poison.

- Why? - That is strange.

It’ll have to ask him about that.

Neither the police nor myself can understand. Whitlock...

...why you refuse to bring charges against Dr. Barnak for assault.

It was all my fault.

Now that the poison apparatus has been removed...

...l have been instructed to return it to you.

According to the facts. you did legally purchase it.

Thank you.

Superman will come here first. I’m sure.

- And soon. I hope. - Pardon me.

Mr. Whitlock.

If Dr. Barnak did do something wrong...

...and is the kind of man to go around acting violently...

...l sure wouldn't want to have it on my conscience that I turned him loose.

All right. son. I'll admit I’m just being selfish.

But Barnak stole $10,000 worth of jewels from my safe.

And he threatened to turn me in for stealing the box from his house.

That's why I kept quiet.

Now...

...well. you better call the police.

Yeah. Sure. I'll do that.

- Superman. - Here you are. doctor.

Thank heavens you found the plant. We'll prepare the serum immediately.

White of the Daily Planet wanted you to call him when you returned.

Of course.

All right. Dr. Barnak. You'll save everybody a lot of trouble if you just come along.

Would you mind explaining yourself?

L'd say it was you that had the explaining to do...

...about those jewels you stole from Whitlock's safe. Let's go.

- Of course. You've notified the police. - That's where we're going. Right now.

Well. I guess you win, young man. I'll get the jewels.

A real red-hot newspaperman. eh?

Well. I'll give you a chance to cool off.

Haven't you located Kent? Well. keep trying.

First it's Olsen. then Lois. Now I can't find Kent.

I'm sorry. but I suppose I’m partly to blame--

- Well. where have you been? - Talking to Dr. Wilson. chief.

He's preparing the antidote from the plant. He thinks everyone will be all right.

- Wonderful, but where is Olsen? - Jimmy? isn’t he in the city room?

No. The last anyone saw him. he'd just convinced Mr. Whitlock...

...that Barnak should be turned over to the police.

Barnak. huh? Why don't you two get back to the hospital and stand by. I'll find Olsen.

Okay. And if you do. give him a piece of my mind. He could use it.

- Oh. just a moment. I forgot my cigars. - Don't bother. Here. try one of mine.

Thank you.

I'm truly sorry to be leaving Metropolis.

But with Whitlock's contribution and the sapphire...

...l don't think I'll suffer financially from the move.

The last tenant of this mummy case occupied it 3000 years.

Maybe you'll break that record.

No comment. eh?

Well. all I have to do is to fetch my suitcase...

...and I'll be leaving you.

The antidote is taking effect.

She should be conscious soon.

- My clerk and Barnak's secretary? - They'll be all right too.

And now. my meddling young friend. goodbye.

Help! Help! Police! Help! Police!

- Superman! - I knew you were dangerous, Dr. Barnak.

And now. with an attempted-murder charge. you can be put where you belong.

You can come out now. Jimmy.

- Nice acting. - I’m sure glad you changed places with me.

I had to. You're much more valuable as a witness than a victim.

Here. turn him over to the police. He's all yours.

All right. Dr. Barnak. let's go.

And furthermore, I think it was the box. not the snake. that put Cleopatra to sleep.

Believe me. I'd rather be a revived reporter than a sleeping Cleopatra.

There's one thing that's bothering me.

Dr. Wilson found that poison was so powerful...

...l can't understand Clark's not being affected by it.

- I forgot to ask him. - You forgot to ask me what. chief?

- When you opened that box-- - Excuse me. sir.

- How are you. Lois? - I’m fine. Clark.

Wait a minute.

When did you get that adhesive on your thumb?

- Oh. well. as a matter of fact-- - No wonder the needle broke off.

See. Miss Lane. he had that adhesive tape there. and that's what broke the needle.

I don't know. I’m pretty confused.

So am I. Lois. So am I.

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