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?

Can you imagine cub reporter Jimmy Olsen?

Reading the riot act to editor Perry White? White, when 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.

Where do you think you're going?

Get!

Call me Chief? No, I call Kent. Is your name Kent? What's all the shooting

about? And is your name Kent?

No, sir. My name is Jimmy Olsen, Chief. Don't call me Chief.

And can either of you nitwits tell me what that man thinks he's 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 the civic leaders of

Metropolis agreed to my plan of instituting a Boys' Day program?

Well, that's right, Chief. And you were one of the most enthusiastic.

You mean to say that he... Yes, sir. Yes, sir.

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

And 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 young 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.

Well, actually, Mr. White, things are very quiet in the city. Most of the

known hoodlums are already 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.

Well, he could be to the fires before the fire engines.

But if he thinks I'm going to sit around here for the next 24 hours doing

nothing, he's just as wrong as Mr. White is. You mean you're really going to be

boss? You bet. And seeing as how there aren't any good stories coming in, I'm

going to make one.

Well, like how?

Do you remember Legs Leamy?

Well, sure. He was the chief suspect in that $2 million armored car hole-up

about five or six years ago. But 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.

You mean after today, the statute of limitations will protect him, and

they'll never be able to try and leave me for that holdup. That's exactly what

I mean.

Hello? Give me the press room.

Well, Jimmy, wait a minute. You don't have any new evidence.

Press room? Hold page one for a replay.

You get it? Yeah.

Young editor of Daily Planet unites new evidence in Legs Leamy case.

Gee, Legs, you read real good.

Shut up. Let the boss read about himself.

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 Leamy 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?

24 hours from now, he wouldn't be able to 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.

Hello, Kent.

For a moment, I thought you were Jimmy Olsen. I've often caught him that way.

Well, 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 going to 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 in?

Bosh. The finest police minds in this country tried to pin that story on Legs

Leamy and couldn't.

And you don't think he's turned up any new evidence? What do you think? I think

I'd better ask him.

Oh, uh, Ken. Yeah?

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 it can happen, don't you? 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 Perry White comes back tomorrow. He

could fire you for running a phony story.

But, golly, Mr. Kent, the chief is always talking about aggressive

journalism, getting behind the story, making it happen. Sure, Jim, 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, Kent. At least you'll be able

to hear what's going on in there.

It's going to be hard on my nerves, but...

I suppose if that young idiot starts burning down the building, nobody will

blame me for going in there with a fire extinguisher. I've looked through 80

Jillian 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 Leamy in jail if it's the last thing I do.

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

Legs Leamy.

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've got to shoot anybody,

shoot me.

They're going to shoot them. Can't do something.

It's too dangerous, Chief. For you, maybe.

Wait a minute.

If we rush in there, they're sure to be shooting.

But I don't think that Legs Leamy wants to add murder to his list of crimes

right now.

Maybe you're right.

Better play for time.

Exactly. And I do wish Superman were here.

I don't think even Superman could help you right now. He could break in there

and take those two thugs, but...

Meanwhile, Lois and Jimmy might get hurt.

That crazy kid.

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

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

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

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

I'm not going to tell you anything.

Okay, Toots, you can raise it again.

Wait a minute.

I'll tell you.

Down, Toots.

Honest legs.

I mean, Mr. Leamy.

I don't know anything.

Now we let Miss Lane go?

Who you trying to kid, hero?

But it's true. The whole story was just made up, so you see you have nothing to

worry about. Why, you can leave any time you want.

Please, lady, you pain me.

No big newspaper like the Daily Planet'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.

So 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 dive van.

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, Chief? You mean you're going to back Jimmy up

now? He's the editor, isn't he? I'll back him to the limit. Until tomorrow.

And then I'll fire that young whippersnapper so fast it'll make his

head swim.

Well, meanwhile, let's alert the authorities. I don't want ligs and these

thugs to get away.

Bells, whistles, sirens.

Sounds like a five-alarm fire.

They got the whole blocks around.

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. Oh, stupid!

We don't have to do anything like that. By midnight tonight, we walk out of here

free men.

Aren't you forgetting something, Legs? It looks to me 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. Not so smart. She should have kept it to herself.

She's right.

Why didn't one of you lugs think about that?

You're supposed to be the brain's legs.

Why didn't you think of it?

Oh, shut up.

We could always jam it down a 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. We still got the two million dollars.

You mean you've actually got the two million?

With you?

Right here.

In this bag.

What's so funny?

Well, for Pete's sake, you don't think they're going to 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 stoops 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.

Meanwhile, 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.

Gertrude, will you please tell Mr. I mean, tell White to send some sandwiches

in here and tell him to hurry.

Open it.

Thank you, Chief.

Who are these men?

Oh, they're just casual friends of mine.

I thought at first 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 tell me what kind to get, and, well, generally I hate to make

decisions without your approval, sir.

Oh, I wouldn't worry about it, White.

They're gonna be all right.

Going someplace, kid?

Me? 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 poison?

Poison?

Jeepers, you don't think they try to 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.

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 right away.

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?

Afraid I'm not.

But if it doesn't have any bullets in it, you couldn't use it either, could

you?

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, inasmuch 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. Lakes, you should read

Miss Lane's etiquette column.

He 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 amp begins to shake.

Why didn't that crazy fool eat some of those sandwiches?

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

And I wish Olsen had eaten several of them.

As soon as I get through splitting this up, boys, we each grab a stack.

In 15 minutes, we walk out of here free as bait.

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

You put an extra one into your pile.

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 and quick.

I don't want anything to happen to Olsen until I get my hands on him. Well, I

can't think of anything cooped up here. Maybe some 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'm making an order. Stay here.

It's a bit unusual, but seeing as how it's you, Superman, I suppose it'll be

all right.

Thank you, Doctor. It's very urgent. I wouldn't have asked. This should do the

trick. It's a new type.

Very effective, but harmless.

No odor, no bad after effects.

Thanks again.

I'll let you know what happens.

You gotta give the kid credit's legs.

Having to know I have to go to sleep at a time like this.

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...

Kid,

I'm going crazy.

What's the matter, Chief?

Nothing, except I'd swear that every one in my office has gone past asleep.

Well, this may sound crazy, but I have a hunch it's now or never.

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

Chief, get Jimmy.

Bring him over here to the window.

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

Dave, what happened?

That's what we'd like to know.

Whatever 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 into 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

watching

What adults make such a fuss about? Take over, officer.

Yes, sir.

I can't believe it.

I must go home and go to bed.

So that when I wake up, I'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 realize this whole thing was just a bad dream.