Original subtitles

What are you doing, little Jack? How many times have I told you there ain't

no flies this time of the year?

Just keeping in practice for the summer, Duke.

Summer. By the summer, I'm going to have this town in the palm of my hands.

Yeah, provided Buckley wins as mayor tomorrow.

He's going to win. Come here, look at this.

You see this?

I've got every one of these voting places marked off.

I'm going to have one of my boys stationed at each one of these joints.

And besides that, I hired a couple of thousand Skid Row characters, and

they're going to vote just the way I tell them.

Yeah, but some of the people in this town like Wilson. You know, the square

-headed mayor they got now? So what? Them is all good citizens. And besides

that, most of these people, they don't even bother about voting.

Yeah.

There was a fly on your shoulder, Duke. That fly that you just hit happens to be

a spot of dirt. And one of these days, I'm going to lose my temper. Duke,

listen. I just thought of something you ought to consider.

Like what, for instance?

Superman. He don't like messing around with the city election.

For what you just thought of, I thought of a long time ago, and I'm expecting

the answer any minute.

Let him in.

Well, Dr. Watts, sit down.

Little Jack.

This is the answer I've been expecting. This is Dr. Watts.

I'm happy to know you.

Happy. Me too, Doc.

But who's sick?

He's not that kind of a doctor, stupid.

Well, Doctor, this is the day you're supposed to have it. What about it? It's

all figured out.

Everything is ready to destroy Superman's powers.

To destroy them.

See, the doctor's a genius. That's the way they got to talk. It's some kind of

rule they got.

But Dr. Watts here has been studying information on Superman for the last six

months just to find out what makes him tick. Right, Doc? Right.

I've perfected the one way.

The one way to hurt him.

The one way.

I think he's buggy.

Buggy. You got bugs in your brain.

Well, let's have it, Doc. You'll have to come to the laboratory.

To the laboratory to see it.

You'll have to.

Okay, let's go. I'll get my coat. My coat I'll get.

I'll get my coat.

Now that's the situation.

We all know that Duke Taylor is going to railroad Buckley into office and his own

city council.

If he succeeds, it will throw this town wide open for gambling and rackets of

all sorts. I'm sorry, Chief. I just can't bring myself to vote for Mayor

Wilson. Why not?

I'm not old enough.

Olsen, what did I ever do to deserve you?

I'm sorry, Chief. Sometimes my tongue just runs away with me. Not far enough.

Now, Lois, I'm expecting you and Kent to do something about tomorrow's election.

Chief, the way I see it, the only way is to fill the paper with editorials, to

urge the people to get out and vote.

Well, frankly, I don't know what everyone's so worried about.

Superman isn't going to let anything happen. Sometimes, Lois, it's not wise

for people to depend on Superman to keep their own house in order.

You are impressed?

No?

Impressed? This joint looks like the inside of a television set.

Okay, okay. What does it do?

The secret is in the little room behind the iron door.

In the little room.

You mean there's something in there that's going to knock off Superman?

Perhaps. Perhaps for only a week or so his powers will be taken away. His

powers. Okay already. What does it do?

Nothing.

Absolutely nothing.

Absolutely. Now, wait a minute. How is nothing going to hurt Superman?

Oh, this is the coldest nothing in the world.

That's the answer.

Cold. You mean you're going to give him a cold?

Oh, better yet, I'm going to freeze him.

Wait a minute, Doc.

You know, I think you got something.

Certainly I got something.

I got... Inside by electronics, I've developed a temperature of 2,000 degrees

below zero.

2,000 degrees.

I get cold at 20 above.

And to contain the temperature, the walls have been specially built,

specially lined with lead.

Look, Doc, the temperature is your department. All I want to know is, will

that lead keep Superman from looking inside with those X-ray eyeballs of his?

The cold is already established.

Now you see a rubber ball.

It bounces.

Rubber ball.

Now, watch the ball.

You busted it.

Hey, I remember when I was a kid and went to school in chemistry, we took

something like this. Only we did it with liquid air. Everything turned brittle

and it broke.

Exactly. But compared to this, liquid air is warm.

Compared to this... Doctor, are you sure this will work on Superman?

Oh, positive.

Until he defreezes, his powers will be numb.

Until he defreezes.

Maybe he'll never defreeze.

But he'll be out of commission for a couple of days anyway, huh?

Oh, at least a week.

At least.

As long as he's out of commission tomorrow, that's all I care about.

I got one question.

What is it?

How are you going to get Superman inside the icebox?

That's for me to figure out, and I already did.

And so, Mr. Voter, it's up to you. It's your city. Let's keep it a clean city.

Mr. Kent, maybe a 2-1-1-0, Magnolia Street, apartment 10, noon sharp.

Tell no one, or I won't cooperate.

Duke... Duke Taylor.

Don't forget, women have a voice in politics, too. Let's make sure it's

heard.

It sounds great.

I sure hope it does some good.

Hey, what's this?

It's for you.

Miss Lane, be on the corner of Elm and Central with young Olsen at 1215 Sharp.

Tell no one or I won't cooperate.

Signed, Duke Taylor.

Duke Taylor, personal meeting.

How about that? This could really be a scoop.

It could also be some sort of a trap.

The corner of Elm and Central in broad daylight? Don't be silly, Jim. Come on,

let's go.

Say, this looks just like the inside of a television set.

That's exactly what I said.

I'm sorry, I didn't know.

Now, would you mind telling me what this is all about and why you insisted that I

meet you here?

Oh, sure, sure. You see, your friends are in there.

Miss Lane and that kid, right behind that steel door.

You can't look through it, Ken.

Even Superman couldn't look through it.

It's lined with lead.

I don't believe they're in there.

You can't open it, Kent.

It's sealed shut.

So it is.

But there is a gimmick.

Superman can open it.

Why should he bother?

Because I told you, your friends are in there.

And you see, with the flick of a certain switch, you'll never see them again.

Nobody will ever see them again.

You haven't even proved they're in there yet.

I don't have to prove it.

Why don't you try getting in touch with them, like calling their office, for

instance? All right.

All right, just for the sake of argument, we'll concede they're in

there. Now, what do you expect me to do about it?

You see, you're a pretty good friend of Superman.

Why don't you contact Superman and see if he can rescue them?

Kind of a fool you take me for.

Obviously, this is some kind of a trap to get Superman inside that chamber.

No, you're really using your head, Mr. Kent. I suppose it is a trap. I suppose

you figure I'm going to the police first.

What's to stop me?

Nothing, except if a cop pokes his nose through that door, I turn on the switch.

I see.

Now, let's face it, Mr. Kent.

At 2 o'clock sharp, I'm turning on that switch, and sooner if a copper walks

through. And if Superman walks through, he walks right into some fantastic kind

of trap.

Yeah, it does look that way, doesn't it?

Well, I'll be seeing you, Mr. Kent, right after the election tomorrow.

Don't forget, tell Superman the deadline is 2 o'clock.

Oh, I'll tell him.

2 o'clock.

Yeah.

Think Superman will show, Duke?

He'll show, just like the column says.

He likes the girl.

What's the matter, Superman?

You look cold.

Where are they?

What have you done with them?

You mean your little friends?

Yes. Oh, they're safe and sound.

Superman! Are you all right, Miss Lane?

Gee, Buzz, he looks like a snowman.

Yeah, don't he, doll?

Come on, we got work to do.

He forced us into a car and brought us here. But you, Superman... Jeepers, does

it hurt? No, but my strength is completely gone.

So tomorrow Duke Taylor and his thugs take over the city. And order the

policemen to stop them.

I'm afraid you're right. It's up to the people now. They've really got to get

out and vote.

But isn't there something we can do for you?

I'm afraid not, Miss Lane.

We'll go back to the office and see Clark. Maybe he can think of something.

No, Miss Lane. Clark told me you had an appointment with the mayor. And that's

much more important than I am at the moment.

Well, that's the way you want it.

Jimmy, you better stay here and help Superman.

No, no, you both better go.

I'll manage somehow.

Jeepers, this is the worst thing that ever happened.

Made that.

That's the care for the hair.

Oh, thank you.

I think that's going to work.

Miss Lane, how nice to see you. Chief, I can explain. Oh, that isn't at all

necessary. It's enough just having you back with us. You know, we've kept your

old office for you exactly as it was when you left.

Please, Chief, come on in. There's something awful I have to tell you.

I won't be surprised. Nothing good could possibly happen today.

Clark!

Oh, now, don't tell me my reporters are beginning to show up.

Where have you been, Miami? You seem to have a tan.

Well, I came in to find you, Lois. Clark, it finally happened.

Superman walked into a trap. Somehow they froze him. He's white all over and

weak as a kitten. What?

Clark, you were all excited about something a while ago. Did you know

about this?

Well, Chief, I did know something happened to Superman, but I don't know

how it's going to turn out. It couldn't be worse.

Is it permanent?

Well, there's no way to tell, but I'm afraid he won't be of much use to you

tomorrow, Chief.

I'm going to call the mayor. I just left him. He doesn't have much hope.

Get me the mayor immediately.

There's nothing he can do, is there?

Hello, George.

Perry White.

Say, listen now. Is there any legal way to postpone this election tomorrow?

If we could only put it off for a week or two.

Obviously, the answer's no.

I see. Well, maybe that could do it.

It looks as if we're licked, but not yet.

I'll keep in touch with you. Goodbye.

Lois, did you have to tell the mayor about Superman in front of his

secretary? I thought he should know about it.

Well... I suppose it's not your fault, but... Well, that information is

spreading over Metropolis like wildfire.

Somehow it leaked out.

Well, Chief, it's not the kind of news you can keep under your hat.

Well, it all adds up to this.

With Superman out of commission, people who were going to vote will be afraid

to. Those thugs of Duke Taylor's are enough to intimidate anybody.

Well, I suggest we all get back to our typewriters and do the best we can.

Yes, and tomorrow we'll find out whether that was good enough.

Well, Doc?

Congratulations. You've done it.

Certainly I've done it.

Certainly.

After all, I'm a genius.

After all.

Well, you know, I'm not so dumb myself, even if I do have to say so.

You're probably the only guy that ever outsmarted Superman.

I hope.

Excuse me for bringing it up.

Excuse me.

But the money.

When do I get it? The money?

Oh, oh, the money.

Yeah, the money. That's right, Doc. I'll tell you, Doc.

Just how much money did I promise you, Doctor?

$50,000.

Fifty.

That's a lot of cabbage.

I'm very fond of cabbage.

Very fond.

Me too.

Especially with corned beef.

Doc, why don't you drop around in a couple of months? Wait till I get

rolling a little bit, huh?

In a couple of months?

Why should I wait in a couple of months?

That's right, Doc. Why should you wait?

You know, to tell you the truth, I'm not going to pay anything.

If you don't pay me, I go to the police.

If you don't pay... Go ahead to the police. What do I care? You're the guy

that built the icebox, not me. Can I help it if Superman just happened to

stumble into it?

But you set the trap for him.

Set the trap.

Doc, you can't prove that. Nobody can.

Besides, I want you to do me a favor. Just get lost, will you?

I'll get lost with my money.

With my money, I'll get lost.

Look, Doc, I would have to be out of my head to pay you 50,000 bucks. Besides

that, I've got what I want.

I'll get even with you.

Somehow, I'll get even.

Little Jack.

Throw this character out, will you, please? He's getting in my hair.

Come on, Doc. You don't want to upset the boss.

I trusted you like my own mother.

I trusted you.

So long, Doc.

Don't forget to vote for Buckley tomorrow.

So long, Doc.

tally from the 8th and 9th wards. It's about 4 to 1.

It's for Buckley.

For Duke Taylor, you mean.

I passed by several polling stations this morning.

There's a tough-looking thug lunging in the doorway of every one of them. They

should be arrested.

Some of them have been, Lois.

But Taylor's thought of that, too. He has a bondsman at the city hall.

He bails them out in five minutes.

But people can vote the way they want to once they get inside the booth, can't

they?

Theoretically, yes.

But there have been some very nasty threats if Buckley loses.

Well, they wouldn't talk so big if Superman were alive.

I mean like he used to be.

You're right the first time, Lois. He is practically dead.

Well, we still have five hours voting time left.

If Superman would only recover.

I'll get it.

Can I help you?

I am Dr.

Watts. I am.

Yes, well, we're very busy right now. Could you come back tomorrow?

Oh, no, no.

Tomorrow will be too late.

Tomorrow, the election will be over.

Oh, won't you step in?

Mrs. Perry White, our editor.

Miss Lane, Mr. Olson, and I'm Clark Kent. This is Dr. Watts.

Won't you sit down, sir?

Aye, you are Mr.

Kent. You...

Yes, that's right. Now, what did you say about the election?

Well, personally, the election, I don't care who wins.

Personally. Well, we do.

Exactly, exactly.

That's why I must talk to Superman.

Exactly. Why do you want to talk to him?

Well, it was my invention that hurt him. What?

You? That was your laboratory?

You've got a lot of nerve coming here.

All right, Doctor, let's have it.

What are you up to now?

I must talk to Superman. I must.

You talk to me. I'll see Superman gets the message.

All right, Doctor, let's have it. What's on your mind?

It's a way for Superman to get better.

A way.

Well, you see, I'm not positive it'll work, you see.

And if it doesn't?

I probably would kill him.

Kill him?

At this point, I'm sure Superman's willing to try anything.

All right, Doctor, what's your answer?

Well, I believe a sudden intense heat might help.

That makes sense. It might thaw him out.

Besides, fire doesn't harm Superman.

But, Chief, he isn't Superman anymore.

He's just like you and me or Clark.

That's right.

It's probably too risky.

But if it works, Metropolis will be saved from those monsters.

Well, I say forget it. Me too.

I agree.

Well, I'm afraid this is one decision that Superman will have to make for

himself. If you'll excuse me.

Tell him it must be very hot, like a blast furnace.

Tell him.

Like a blast furnace.

I'll tell him.

Jeepers. Maybe we'll never see him again.

Well, Clark will be right back. Don't worry.

Oh, I didn't mean Mr. Kent. I meant Superman.

The plant closed today?

Yes, sir. Election day, you know. A legal holiday.

Oh, does that mean that the blast furnaces are shut off? Oh, no, indeed.

Them furnaces take two days to fire up once you let them go out.

Oh. Well, my name is Clark Kent. I'm from Metropolis Daily Planet.

I wonder if it'd be all right if I went in and stooped around a little. Oh, I'm

sure it'd be okay, Mr. Kent. Come on in. Thank you.

I hated to let that watch character go, but what could we do?

I wish he hadn't come here at all.

Golly, if anything else happens to Superman... We are, Chief.

Give me the city desk.

Harry, better start making up an extra. Here's your headline.

Buckley wins for mayor.

What are you doing here, boss?

Just making a personal tour of inspection, just like a good general.

I ran into this character outside.

He, uh, he tells me he's gonna vote.

That's nice, but before you vote, take a read about our boy.

And don't forget, this district's gotta go for Buckley.

I'd rather not vote at all than vote for this crook.

Superman! He's unfroze!

Yes, and things are going to be a little warm for you two from now on. I believe

you're about to vote, sir.

Will you please go ahead? I can assure you these thugs will not... Wait a

minute, Superman.

This one's on me.

It's good to see you back in circulation again, Superman.

It's nice to be back. I just hope I'm not too late.

You're not too late. There must be a couple of hundred people on their way up

here. And I'm going to cast my vote right now. Good.

Who are you voting for?

That's still up to me, isn't it, Superman?

That's right, and I hope it always will be that way.

People are starting to vote like crazy.

And 90% of them are for Wilson.

Something must have happened. It did.

Superman's back.

And he's been to every ward in the city, urging the people to get out and vote.

Then he's all right?

Never felt better in his life.

Jeepers, where is he?

Oh, well, Jimmy, after all, he's done about all he could. It's up to the

people now.

That's good enough for me.

City desk.

Harry, kill that headline. Make it read, Wilson wins.

Well, Kent, don't just stand there. You've been loafing all day. You start

working on that front page right now.

Yes, sir, Chief.

And believe me, it'll be a pleasure.

Don't miss the next real packed episode in the amazing adventures of Superman.

Superman is based on the original character appearing in Superman

magazine.