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. It's a bird. It's a plane.

It'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 of Superman.

Thank you.

Now, there are the facts. All the facts we've got.

Police report on the post office.

Photograph of the shot-off section of the lead mask.

Our newspaper file on Marty Mitchell, the most wanted criminal in the country.

Now, here are the questions.

You answer them.

Why would anyone raid a post office to steal a police poster?

And why Marty Mitchell's?

Unless that person has found out something about Mitchell.

Or has seen him in the city.

Or he is Mitchell.

And why the mask?

Well, it figures, Chief.

If you're a wanted man like Mitchell, your face is too well known.

Well, after all, a trick mask is not exactly inconspicuous. And why a lead

mask?

Metropolis and Superman go together, don't they?

And isn't it generally known that lead is the only substance that Superman's X

-ray vision can penetrate?

What do you think, Clark?

Well, it's a thought.

Sounds good to me. Get the story.

Took you long enough.

Well, I had to hide out for a while. Somebody was looking for me.

Yeah, we heard some cop shot off part of your lead mask.

Yeah, not a bad shot, that guy.

But I got one I went after.

You took a little chance, didn't you, Marty?

Maybe you're just crazy about the way you used to look.

Well, I had to prove it to you guys. You wanted to be sure, didn't you?

You got a set of my prints on the card.

Go ahead.

Check them with what the police have on file.

different. He's changed his prints.

Let's get it straight, boys.

I didn't do it.

Let's give credit where it belongs.

Doc, you did a perfect job.

There's not another surgeon alive can use a knife like you can.

Boys, he's a genius.

The first time in history, he's changed it.

New fingerprints.

Thank you, Mr. Mitchell, but it was your idea.

Now, you're all wanted men.

You know the score as well as I do.

New prints mean a new life.

A freedom you never even thought you'd have.

The doc here does a package job.

Well, look what he did for me.

First he changed the face.

Then he fixed the fingers.

I'm sold, Mitchell. You know that. But it's still a question of money. We

haven't got it. The price is too steep.

For what you're getting, why, the doc is doing you a favor.

$25,000 for the face, the same for the prints.

Only $50,000.

We've been on the land for months. Some of us were even longer.

We haven't got that kind of cash, and you know it.

What's more, we don't dare go on the outside to get it. Our faces are too

well known.

You think this lead mask last night was grandstanding, don't you?

Well, it wasn't.

I don't waste time.

I set out to prove something, and it worked.

Now, with masks, they don't recognize you.

And with lead masks, even Superman can't see you.

And your new faces will be covered, too.

I've got masks for all of you.

Okay?

Listen, Mitchell.

You're smart. Plenty smart.

Maybe you're too smart.

Sure, we know you went out and stole the poster.

But how do we know you didn't switch it for a fake one with new fingerprints?

Now, listen, Scott, I don't like to... At least science says you can't do it.

And something tells me I'm not so sure you can.

Okay.

Okay, Scott.

You're gonna be sure.

You're gonna get it right from the top.

Maybe that'll convince you.

Oh, thanks for the cup of coffee, Mr. Kent.

Uh, Mr. Kent.

Oh. I enjoyed the company.

I'm sorry, Lois. I was thinking about that Mitchell case.

Yes, I know. Twelve o'clock and not a mask in sight.

Hello. Hello.

That's the Daily Planet building across the street, isn't it? Yes.

Any reporters hang around here?

Sure, there's a couple over there.

What do you have today?

Buttermilk. Large glass.

Oh, if we could only get that $10 raise, I could get a new hat.

Lois, look at that man at the counter.

This is a pretty quiet city.

Needs waking up.

You're certainly right about that.

Well? Did you hear his voice?

Sounded just like Marty Mitchell.

Look at the way he's drumming his fingers. Just like Marty used to do.

I'll bet you that is Marty with a new face.

Listen, Clark, this is a long shot that's really long. You've got to be

careful. Accuse an innocent man because he talks like Mitchell or does something

like him, you'll end up with a suit for false arrest.

Well, I've got a hunch it is Mitchell. I'm going to find out. In fact, I'm

going to try and get his fingerprints.

Now, you stay here and keep an eye on him.

I'll be back as quick as I can.

Miss, could I have a glass of water, please? Oh, certainly.

Thank you.

Excuse me, please.

Mister, would you hand me that, please?

Oh.

Thank you.

Hello, Olsen speaking.

Hello, Jimmy.

Oh, hi, Mr. Kent.

What did you say you did with my car?

What happened to your car?

You ran it off a bridge.

But I didn't say that.

What is this, a gag?

Oh, I get it. You can't talk, huh?

Where are you?

Well, listen, chowderhead.

I'll take care of you later. I'm at Pep's Diner.

Pep's Diner.

Hold page one for a replay.

Yes, until you hear from me.

It's a possible lead on the Mitchell story.

It might be a big one.

Now, Chief, you're not going to spoil those prints, are you?

After 20 years as a police reporter?

In my day, you had to know how to use this fingerprint equipment.

Now, just relax.

We'll know soon.

Hi, Miss Lane. What's up with Mr. Kent? Shh, Jimmy. Sit down and smile.

Smile? Why?

What's happening? We'll know pretty soon.

Clark thinks the man at the counter is Marty Mitchell.

Marty Mitchell?

You don't mean Marty Mitchell, the public enemy.

He's leaving.

Oh, and Clark's still checking those prints.

But we can't let him leave. What about the story?

We're not positive.

Yeah, well, if Mr. Kent thinks he's Mitchell, that's good enough for me.

What's the idea?

Just hold it, Mitchell.

Mitchell? My name ain't Mitchell. It's Canfield.

He's bluffing. Miss Lane, call the police.

Police? You're crazy.

Maybe so, but I'm not taking any chances.

Composing? White.

False alarm. Kill that replay.

After this, count ten before you ask me to hold the front page.

There's no chance they could be Mitchell, huh?

Not unless he's done the impossible and changed his fingerprints.

And I've got it from experts. That can't be done.

Well, thanks anyway, Chief.

I'd better call up my watchdogs.

What? Lois and Jimmy. They're babysitting.

Why didn't you stop Jimmy Lois? This false arrest business can be very

serious, as you yourself pointed out to me. But Jimmy grabbed him before I could

say boo. I had to see it through with him. Well, I'll go down to the police

headquarters and see what I can do. Come on.

Pretty good gag, that water glass.

Give you a good set of prints?

Well, if you know what I was trying to do, why don't you stop me? What for?

That ain't everybody can be taken for the great Marty Mitchell.

Well, are you?

Maybe. Maybe I am.

The cops don't think so.

And they just this minute checked me over.

Hey, wait a minute, Sherlock.

Maybe I fooled the cops into thinking I changed my fingerprints.

Yeah, that's it.

You know, there's a 20 grand price in my head.

Why don't you turn me in?

That's a lot of dough, Kent.

How long does it take a reporter to make that kind of money?

You can't change prints, you know that?

Well, what do you know?

We learn something new every day.

Uh, listen, Mr., um... Canfield.

Marty Canfield.

Mr. Canfield. What are you after?

A reason for not suing you and your paper for false arrest.

And I think I've got it.

I'll settle for a full story in the afternoon edition.

All about the arrest and my being cleared.

Maybe I'd just like to see my name in the papers.

But I want to see it.

Deal?

All right.

We'll run your story.

But if you should be Marty Mitchell, you aren't going to be happy.

You've got a story to write, Sonny.

Go ahead.

Make your deadline.

So you haven't been fired yet, eh, Kent?

Nope, Inspector, not yet.

But I'm working on it.

Seems to me you're doing pretty well at it.

I can't think Perry White will be any too happy when he finds that Bird

Canfield has filed a false arrest suit against the paper.

There isn't going to be any false arrest suit, Inspector.

Oh?

Nope. He's let us off the hook.

He did, eh?

Yep. Seems to me you had a pretty good case.

You had him arrested as Marty Mitchell, and it turns out he hasn't Marty

Mitchell's face or fingerprints. And therefore he couldn't possibly be Marty

Mitchell, is that it?

It sure looks that way, doesn't it?

Yes, it does, Inspector.

But Canfield, or whatever his real name happens to be, seems to want us or

somebody to believe that he's Mitchell.

Why?

I don't know.

Do you believe that he's Mitchell?

Well, I'll say this much, Kent.

His voice is Mitchell's voice.

His mannerisms are Mitchell's mannerisms.

And his Bertillion measurements correspond with Mitchell's. Yes, but...

But he hasn't Mitchell's face.

Well, now, Inspector, could be plastic surgery. Could be, but he hasn't

Mitchell's fingerprints.

I'm sick and tired of hearing about fingerprints.

They can't be changed, and someday I'm going to prove it to you. You do that.

And meanwhile, with your permission...

I'll go back to the office and make Perry White happy.

You do that, Kent.

There's nothing I like better than to see somebody happy.

Glad to hear it, Inspector. Meanwhile, you owe me another dinner.

Oh.

And although there was a striking voice similarity between Canfield and the

missing Mitchell...

as well as definite similarities of mannerisms, a fingerprint checkup at

police headquarters this afternoon revealed a clear case of mistaken

identity.

The suspect was immediately released.

Well, if the police released you, that convinces me.

Me too.

I'll go along.

No hard feelings, Scott. I like a man that thinks.

Well, the masks are ready, and so are the jobs.

All lined up.

Here they are. Take your pick.

calling all cars attention.

Mysterious robbery reports coming in from all areas.

Criminals are armed and are wearing those same lead masks.

Stand by for emergency orders.

46, 42, 49, attention.

Masked burglar fleeing from jewelry shop, 1200 block, Branwood Boulevard.

Now driving south.

We're trying to help you, Morell.

What is it?

What?

He's still raving, Kent.

Even that lead mask didn't save him from a concussion when his head hit the

dashboard.

He keeps saying the same things.

He's the same Jack Morrell the FBI had been looking for, isn't he? For a long

time. I've got to get the money.

I've got to get the money.

Sure, Morrell, sure.

You'll get it.

Tell us.

What do you want the money for?

The face.

First, the face.

Then,

then... I've got to take care of them.

Take care of the hands.

I've got to take care of the hands.

I guess he'll be out for a long time now.

Mm-hmm.

You know, Inspector, in spite of the police clearance of Canfield today, this

lead mask business definitely connects the Mitchell case to this one. We know

that, Kent. Just a minute. Let me think this out.

You just heard Morrell.

He said the face and the hands.

Well, Canfield had a different face and a different set of fingerprints today,

too. But I'm convinced he's Mitchell in disguise.

Come with me, Kent.

I'll show you something at the police lab that will dispel your doubts once

and for all.

These are comparison sets, Kent.

First, you'll see the original prints of known criminals.

Then you'll see the same prints after attempts have been made to disguise

them. Watch. A light, please.

Now, here's a skin graft attempt.

See how the same patterns continue to come through.

Crude mutilation.

Burns.

Sandpapering.

Acid.

There's always some scar tissue to betray the criminal.

Lights, please.

It never works, Kent.

And it never will. Or at least we don't think so.

If the underworld ever successfully changes fingerprints, it would be the

most disastrous blow to law and order that has ever been received.

It would make our system of criminal identification obsolete.

I can quite understand that, Inspector.

But there's one other thing.

Would it be possible to backtrack the tire prints of Morell's car and find his

hideout? Well, theoretically, yes, but practically, I'm afraid not.

It would be a microscopic job and would require a super site to follow such a

trail.

I see. Oh, one other thing. Can I ask you for one small favor?

Sure, go ahead.

Can I borrow that lead mask? One of our staff artists wants to make a sketch to

go with the story.

All right, but I want it back in the morning. You'll get it.

Thanks a lot, Inspector.

Nice going, Paulie.

$30,000.

That'll take care of the job on my face and then some. But how about the new

fingerprints? Doc will start your face surgery tomorrow.

Your fingerprints will be done when you get another $20,000. But boss, I gotta

have the new fingerprints. I'll take care of the money later. I gotta have

the new... You'll do your fingerprints when you get another $20,000.

You fuzzled that job good, didn't you?

We heard it on the radio.

Well, we got one more big job left. Then we're clearing out.

Morale, I'm taking you with me.

Wait outside in the car.

I'll be right out.

We don't want any mistakes this time.

This is the biggest job yet.

The Daily Planet.

They put the payroll in the safe this afternoon.

Just so we can take it out tonight.

Come on.

Let's go.

Wipe the grease off it.

What's that?

Who's that?

Jim Olsen.

He's a reporter.

How do you know that?

I know lots of things.

In fact, I know exactly who you are.

You? Gunner Burrell?

Who are you?

Superman.

Hello,

Jimmy. Call me Superman.

Did I hurt you?

No, of course not. But you ought to be more careful with gadgets like that.

You know you're right. If it had been anybody but you, I'd have slaughtered

him.

Oh,

just a disguise, Jimmy.

I bet you if I could find out whose pants those are, I'd know who you really

were. No, Jimmy, I only paid two dollars for these in a second-hand clothing

store. But this is much more important.

This surprise package here represents a story that belongs to you and Miss Lane.

It does?

Yes. Now you get hold of Miss Lane and go out Route 12.

Go out about 14 miles and turn left the first cutoff. There's a small shack

there and we'll be there waiting for you.

Thank you, Superman.

Golly.

Since I correct my attire, my friend, away we'll go.

You mean you're going to fly me there? That's right.

You'll be crazy about it.

I'm surprised at smart fellows like you falling for a racket like this.

What are you talking about?

Mr. Canfield knows, and so does his friend here. Take off that mask.

Why, it's Marty Mitchell.

The face.

It's never been changed.

And the fingerprints.

We've been conned.

How did you guess, Superman?

Or if I know you, it was more than just guesswork.

Mitchell was thinking so hard about fingerprints that he forgot all about

his own.

Naturally, I'd seen his prints and the wanted posters.

So when one showed up here on the handle, I knew that Canfield was just a

front. He must have learned Mitchell's every mannerism, every voice inflection.

Not bad.

50,000 apiece from the four of us, and then Mitchell, Canfield, and the doc

blow town and split it up.

I don't think that Mitchell was planning any split.

Here. Here's an airplane ticket, but it's only for one. Help!

Help! Hey, Superman, I can't get...

this thing.

Superman, I can't get this thing off.

I'm sorry, Jimmy. I can't help you.

Oh, no.