Original subtitles

I can't understand it.

A valuable load of drugs disappears, and two days later, there's not a trace of

the truck or the driver.

Looks to me like more than a simple case of hijacking. Well, the drug company

agrees with you. They've got a warrant out for the driver's arrest.

They believe that he drove the truck to a prearranged spot to meet with his

accomplices. However, Kent still believes it was a hijacking job.

Where is Clark, incidentally? He's been out all day tracking down a lead.

And if Kent doesn't get back soon, we'll have to go to press without his story.

I have a hunch we won't get any story until someone tries to sell those drugs.

Well, it's about time he got back. Did he get anything?

Not a thing, and I can't understand it. I can understand where a plane could be

missing in a flight, but not a truck on an open highway.

Superman was out. He couldn't find anything suspicious.

On top of everything else, we're shorthanded. Jimmy won't be back from

his vacation for another week.

Well, I consider that the only break we've had so far.

And what is it, pal? A fire or a wedding?

This is the highway. I was only doing 35 in a 45-mile zone.

Yeah, you were also doing 35 right through the town of Ackport.

A town? I didn't see any town. No, of course you didn't. At the speed you were

going.

Are you going to give me a ticket?

And never hear from you again?

Nothing doing.

You turn your car around and follow me.

So this is Zach Poit. No wonder I didn't see it. Don't talk like that in front of

the judge. He's sensitive about our town. You got a judge here? Who elected

him, you? Just step inside.

Now, let's see, young man. The arresting officer's got you marked down here going

40 miles an hour.

Sure, I was doing 40, but that's below the highway limit.

Well, the town of Atwood's clearly posted 25 miles an hour.

Your whole town is only 100 yards long, and by the time anyone sees the sign,

they're out of town.

the signage of that port has nothing to do with it. Our citizens are still

entitled to the protection of the traffic laws.

The fine is $5 for a mile for every mile above the speed limit.

That would be $75 for 75 days in jail.

$75? That's highway robbery.

Plus $5 for insulting the court, making a grand total of $80.

Now, do I hear any further outbursts?

There you go.

Next case?

I have a James Olsen here, Your Honor. I clocked him at 35.

All right.

I'm no public accountant, but I know my table's a five. That's 50 bucks.

That's $130 just now.

That makes $640 so far today. Not bad. We're averaging close to $1

,000 a day in fines alone.

Yes, and that truck of chemicals we grabbed, another $10,000 left.

We've been in this spot almost a week now. Don't you think it's time we moved

the town?

Oh, what a day, sir.

I think it's safe to stay here for a while.

You know, this is the sweetest setup we've ever had.

You don't even have to use a gun and the suckers pay up almost willingly.

You know, if it keeps up as good as this, we'll be able to buy a legitimate

town and do this whole thing legally.

Give me a break, Inspector.

I can't keep writing headlines that say police expect early arrest.

Yes? I see.

Well, thanks anyway.

Nothing? Nothing. They haven't even got the smell of a clue. The truck and the

driver just disappeared from the face of the earth.

Your vacation still has five days to go.

I ran out of money. I thought you had it all budgeted. I did, but I ran into an

expense that wasn't in my budget.

Oh, anything happen to the car?

It sure did.

It got caught going 35 miles an hour in a 25-mile zone.

Serves you right for speeding.

But I wasn't speeding.

In fact, I was doing 10 miles under the highway limit. But I passed these four

little wooden buildings that they call the town, and they fined me 50 bucks for

speeding within the town limits.

Well, I wouldn't feel too badly about it, Jimmy.

Some few small towns are speed traps, but the majority is just trying to

protect their citizens. I want to do a story about that phony speed trap. I

took some pictures. No, you don't. You don't use this paper to work off your

private grudges.

That's lesson number one for a newspaper man.

And I'm surprised that you hadn't learned it before this.

I want you to work on this truck thing with Kent.

Chief? Yes?

I, um... All right.

Here's an advance.

Thanks, Chief.

Come on, Junior.

Oh, Olsen.

Yes, sir? You better let Kent drive.

Can I say no?

Sounds like you're going to have company.

I don't want company. I want out.

When does my case come up?

Keep your shirt on, Mr. Harris. The judge should be back from his fishing

trip real soon.

His trip is the only thing around here that sounds fishy.

I could lose my job for this. How about letting me out on bail?

Sorry, Mr. Harris.

You don't seem to realize the seriousness of your offense.

My only offense was in driving through your crummy town. My brakes are

perfectly all right, and you know it.

Oh, I've got to tell the fellas about this place.

Hey, you'll be known as a truck driver's friend.

Always glad to have you fellas stop by.

You know, I still can't see how you're doing.

Brother owns a butcher shop.

What are you hauling?

A mixed lot.

Mostly frozen TV tubes.

Frozen TV tubes, huh?

How about another cup of coffee? Oh, yeah, thanks.

Looks like I was right. You are going to have company.

What do you mean? Another trucker. I wouldn't be a bit surprised if his

brakes tested out bad, too.

good to see a man enjoy the food the way you do.

Hey, what's that cop doing by my truck?

Anything wrong, officer?

Having a lot of accidents lately, mainly on account of falling brakes.

We have a strict law about that here.

There's nothing wrong with those. I just had them tested before I set out. Sorry,

fella. We'll have to check them ourselves. It looks like you have a

loose air hose under there. Another truck has disappeared.

Loaded with valuable furs and other disposable merchandise.

And not one of it has brought back a single clue that we can pin a story on.

Well, for that matter, neither have the police.

Well, that's not my problem, but the planet is. Now get out and bring me back

a story that'll have an angle and will sell papers.

Right, Chief.

Come on.

You get going, too. You'll not find those trucks around this office.

And I don't think we'll find them nosing around every character that's ever been

connected with a hijacking job.

You talk like a girl with an angle.

I am.

I think this is an entirely new crowd operating in an entirely new way. I'd

like to start driving along the highway, stopping in every diner and gas station

along the way until I can pinpoint the area where the trucks were last seen.

Every diner and gas station? That could take months.

I know it, but I may get lucky right away. Anyway, what have we got to lose?

All right. Get going. But phone me every day so I can sort of keep an eye on you,

eh? Thanks, Chief.

But don't run anything on me. It might alert whoever's behind all this.

Hanlon said you wanted to see me. That's right. I just got a report on the

armored car shipment.

It's leaving tomorrow morning.

Was it coming through this highway? No, no. Now, look. It's going to come

through here.

Now, we'll have to move the town to this spot between Springfield and Benford.

We'll set up the detour here and the roadblock there.

Good. We'll start moving right after dark. Right.

Trouble, boss.

What's up?

Losey Dame over at Joe's Diner asking a lot of questions about the missing

trucks. Did you get a line on her?

No, but why should she ask questions here? Sounds like she could be a

reporter or a policewoman. Well, we can't afford to take any chances. We've

got to grab her. Now get going.

Now, let me think, miss.

All I wanted to know is if you've seen either of the trucks or the drivers I

described to you.

It's rather hard to say.

I got a lot of truckers in here.

Count the prices, you know.

I'll bet you do.

But think hard, Joe. This is very important.

Well, now that I think of it, this fellow looks a little familiar.

I think he was in here sometime last week.

But it couldn't have been last week. He started out three days ago.

Can I help you, miss?

Oh, well, I hope so, officer. I was looking for a lead on the disappearance

of those trucks.

Who are you now?

What's your interest in the case? You with the police?

Well, no, I'm a reporter with the Daily Planet. How do I know you are? I have my

press card.

Now, just a minute.

I really am a reporter.

Well, you can call the Metropolis Daily Planet.

Yes, we'll do that, but in the meantime, you look a bit suspicious to me.

We'll just have to detain you until we can check you out.

Purely routine.

Well, I suppose there's nothing I can do about it. But you're going to look

awfully silly when you find out I'm telling the truth.

We have a motto in our department, miss. Better to be silly than sorry.

I wouldn't kid you, Perry. We have absolutely no lead.

Not even a general section of the country?

Now, what are you so worried about?

This gang, if it is one, will slip up sooner or later.

Well, it better be sooner. I'm worried about Lois.

Lois? What has she got to do with it?

Well, she went off to investigate on her own.

She was supposed to phone in here every day.

She didn't call yesterday or today.

That sounds serious.

Have you tried to find her at all? Has Kent?

No, I don't want Kent knowing about this. He'll be chasing off, too. That's

why I called you.

Of course, I'll do everything I can.

What highway was she traveling?

Highway 53, and when she phoned me, she was in Dartsville.

Good day, gentlemen.

Who phoned you from Dartsville?

An old aunt of mine.

An old aunt, eh?

Then why didn't you want me to hear about her?

Kent, you are an eavesdropper.

And what good reporter is she? Now, come on, Chief, give.

What are you trying to hold out on me?

All right, I'm worried about Lois.

She went out trying to dig up a lead in the missing trucks.

She was supposed to phone in here every day, and I haven't heard from her since

the day before yesterday.

You mean from Dartsville?

Yes.

She's probably somewhere past there now on Highway 53.

Right, Kent.

Are you going to look for Lois? Well, naturally.

Do you mind if I go along?

Oh, I have a police car outside, but I'd rather not use it. It might alarm

whoever it is we're looking for.

Well, the fact of the matter is my car is in the shop getting some new tires.

Jimmy's been driving me, but I don't think he'd mind driving you either.

Fine. Okay. Oh, Kent.

Yes, sir? Now that you know, you might as well go along.

And if Henderson finds anything, I want a story.

You can use one of the company's cars.

to recognize the countryside.

Well, we're four miles outside of Dartsville, and the gasoline attendant

positively identified Lois, so we know we're on the right track.

Big deal.

Well, if she didn't stop at the next town, she's somewhere between Dartsville

and there.

That's right, and what I'm wondering is, what are we doing stopping here right in

the middle of nowhere?

This is where I got it last time. At Fort.

There isn't any such town.

Tell that to the judge.

Well, that's exactly what I hope to do.

Huh? We have a police official with us this time, remember?

Oh, yeah, that's right.

I'd like to see that joker try to stop me now.

Well, if that's the case, let's get started.

Wait a minute. I think there's something funny going on here. I'd swear this is

where Ackport was.

So you made a mistake.

Now come on, let's get back in the car and get going.

I couldn't have made a mistake.

I took this highway and it was about four miles outside of Dartsville.

But a town just doesn't get up and move away.

Mr. Kent, Inspector Henderson, come over here.

What is it?

This is the rock I tripped over when the officer pushed me into the courtroom.

What officer? What courthouse?

Now, wait just a minute, Bill. Are you sure, Jim? Sure, I'm sure. Right here.

The courthouse was right here.

You could be right at that, Bill. A lot of footprints around here.

Yeah.

And a few bent nails.

Funny place to find nails, isn't it?

Mm-hmm. Looks as though somebody took something apart here. Something like a

town? Ridiculous. You don't take a town apart.

Don't be too sure of that, Bill. I know this is where the town of Backport was.

Well, if that's the case, we're dealing with some pretty unusual crooks. And

they may have laws.

Well, let's get going.

All right, but let me drive. If any cops stop us, let me do the talking. Come on.

Hey,

come

on. You just can't throw people in jail and keep them here indefinitely.

We're doing it, ain't we?

Boy, I never took a poke at a cop in my life, but in your case, I'd like to make

an exception.

Big talk.

Yeah, you just take off that gun and open this door, and we'll show you what

kind of big talk it is.

Now, be nice, boys, and shut up, will you? You're interfering with my literary

pursuits.

Now, let me tell you something.

Interfering with the working press can get you some pretty bad publicity.

Publicity we don't want, but you're in no position to give us any publicity.

Now, be a good kid, and after a while, Joe will bring you over one of those

nice steaks of his.

Oh, thanks a lot.

What's the matter with you small-town coppers anyway?

We weren't bothering anybody.

We have very strict speed laws around here.

You follow me.

Is that the man?

It's he. Even the same opening line.

Step inside the courtroom.

I think the judge will be able to hear your case immediately.

I have a speeder here, Your Honor.

You idiot! You're supposed to be watching out for the armored car.

But it's not due until tonight.

We can't afford to take a chance on missing it. I told you not to fool with

speeders today. These guys were really speeding. I guess they just got carried

away. Well, all right.

Let's get it over with quick.

Which one of you was driving?

I was, Your Honor.

How fast was he going, officer?

Sixty, Your Honor.

Your name?

Clark Kent, sir.

Kent. Well, young man, I'm going to make an example of you.

$150 or 90 days.

Fair enough.

Only I haven't got that much cash. Will you take a check?

Certainly not.

I didn't think you would. So I guess I'll have to take the 90 days.

Now, maybe some of your friends could help you out.

Oh, I wouldn't dream of imposing on them, sir.

No, sir.

Officer, take me away.

Now, wait a minute. Maybe we can make some arrangements.

How much do you have?

Why, Your Honor, aren't you ashamed? Trying to corrupt justice.

No, sir. I'm prepared to pay the penalty. I'll take my 90 days in jail.

Now, hold on, Your Honor.

This has gone far enough, sir. I'm a police officer, and we're here on a

case. Police officer?

Yes, sir. May I see your credentials?

Certainly, sir.

Well, it seems to be in order.

However, I reckon you all better remain here till we make a check.

Impersonating an officer is a very serious offense.

Now, look here, sir. Now, just hold real still, all of you.

Come on up here, little one.

Captain, gun on the desk.

You again?

It's getting to seem like we're old friends, isn't it?

What does he mean? One of the speeders we picked up last week.

What, you stupid fool? I told you not to bring in repeaters. But he wasn't

driving. I didn't even see him.

You're doing fine picking up repeaters and policemen.

Now, we got to get rid of all of them.

Just what kind of a crazy town is this?

There's something funny going on here, all right.

I think all the same people in this town are in jail, and all the loonies are

running around free.

Yeah, last night they blindfolded us and then took us for an automobile ride, and

then just returned us to the same cells.

Now, what do you suppose that was for?

I don't know, but I have a hunch.

I think this is the same cell, but I bet it's not in the same place.

What do you mean?

Well, I think this whole town is completely phony and portable.

They just move it from one place to another.

That's good guessing, Miss.

Too bad you won't get a chance to tell anyone about it.

Don't be too sure.

I'll be missed, and I'll be found.

Clark, am I glad to see you.

Jimmy, Inspector, get me out of here.

Are these the gentlemen that were going to rescue you, Miss?

Step right in, boys.

Now, you and Hanlon get on out to the highway near the detour and wait for the

armored car.

Take Joe along with you.

I'll wait in the courthouse.

And when you come back with the car, we'll get rid of our guests and move on.

Now you've done it.

It almost looks like you planned to get us into this mess.

Well, at least we know where Lois is.

A lot of good that'll do us.

Stop worrying, Bill. I'll think of something.

Look here, Inspector.

I guess the door wasn't closed properly when he turned the key.

Hey, look out!

Up all the stupid tricks.

Oh, I am sorry, Bill. I'll go get some help.

You know, Jimmy, I'm beginning to worry about Kent.

What are you stopping for?

Run him down.

I can't budge him.

Of course you can't, stupid. He's Superman.

Well, back up and go around him.

We're doing over 65 miles an hour. Don't you know we have speed laws around here?

We're the police.

In that case, we'll talk to the judge.

And I hope you enjoy your new home.

Think they'll be safe in there?

Well, I'm not so sure. They've had a lot of practice taking that jail apart and

carrying it around. Please, Inspector, put away your gun.

And just let him come out.

Just for a minute. Boy, this is something I'd like to see.

Well, anyway, Inspector, I'll send some of your boys to get you.

Oh, just a minute, Superman.

Yes, Miss Lane. Whatever became of Clark Hand?

Well, he must have gotten a lift back to town. You know how he is when there's a

story to be written. Excuse me.

Come on, Jim. Let's try to beat him back to Metropolis.

Who, Superman?

Of course not, silly. Mr. Kent.

Nothing doing. We're going to take it nice and easy. Don't you know that some

of these towns are speed traps?

Come on, Jim.

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

Superman is based on the original character appearing in Superman

magazine.