Original subtitles

Calling car six.

Car six.

Corner of Elm and Brighton. This is a 132. Car six.

Elm and Brighton. Code 132.

This is an emergency.

Repeat. Emergency.

Warehouse fire.

1800 Waterfront Way.

All cars in zone four proceed to warehouse fire.

1800 Waterfront Way.

This is an emergency.

Repeat. I should be back in about a half hour. Lois, see that copy gets right to

the boss, will you? Where are you going?

I have a few things to check on.

Funny, whenever we have to work late, you always seem to check on something

around dinner time.

I could sure use an important interview myself with a hamburger and a double

malt. I'll bring you some back.

I'll see you later.

Mr. Kent, with everything, relish, tomato, ketchup, lettuce, mustard? No

pickle, Lily? No. No pickle. All right.

I know I forgot something.

Never mind. Let's go beard the lion in his den.

Here's the City Council story, Chief.

Miss Lane, what did you mean a few minutes ago when you said, let's go

beard the lion in his den?

What?

That's an old expression, Olsen.

It means let us face an unpleasant situation and get it over with.

Miss Lane, is that the way you refer to coming into this office?

Well... Yes?

What? The Planet Warehouse? When?

Great Caesar's Ghost!

What is it, Chief?

The Planet Warehouse is on fire. I've got to get over there right away.

Where's Kent?

We don't know. He left.

I'll leave a note for him. He'll have to take over here when he gets back.

Can we come, too?

Yes, yes. Nothing could make it any worse.

Jeepers, I haven't seen a good fire in a long time.

Well, in that case, Olsen, we let it burn to the ground, even though we do

have $100,000 worth of newsprint in there.

Oh, no.

I just remembered.

There's a $12,000 payroll in that warehouse safe.

Well, don't take it so hard, Chief. It's insured, isn't it?

Yes, but just stand here and see this happen.

Look, Chief, the fireman's friend back there.

They'll be my friends forever if they ever put this out.

It doesn't make sense. How can they make a profit back here inside the fire line?

Hey, you think they'd be back there with the crowds on?

Oh, well, how about a cup of coffee, Chief? You know I never drink coffee.

Pardon me. We're from the Deadly Planet. It's our editor, Mr. White, over there.

We were wondering about this fireman's friend business.

It's just what it says, buddy. Me and my pal serve free coffee and sinkers to the

fireman. It's a hobby.

Hot idea, huh?

Get it? Hot idea. Sure, sure. I get it. Hey, how about an exclusive picture

interview? We don't want any publicity, kid. As I told you, it's a hobby.

We just thought of honorary fireman.

Old man's a planet editor.

I bet he's plenty burned, huh?

Get it? Burned.

You know, one of these days, you're going to wife-crack this once too often

and get us both into real trouble.

Okay, okay, let me have it.

You ready?

Yeah, I got to place all the cases.

warehouse on fire. Take over.

What warehouse?

No, you they're not going to be it.

I hope you're enjoying yourself, Olsen.

Yes, sir. I sure am.

I mean, no, I'm not.

But no, I wish I were in it.

Coffee, folks?

Not unless you have a little arsenic to put in it.

Hey, look.

When did it start?

Less than an hour ago.

How about a cup for you, Superman?

No, thank you.

You can't put it out with coffee, you idiot.

Well, perhaps I can using the basic ingredient of coffee.

Water. Will you turn it on back there, please?

Yes, sir.

How'd you make out?

It was loaded.

It's all in here.

Good. Well, Chief, it looks like they'll save part of it for you.

But what's he going to do?

Look, Superman's flying the hose right over the building.

Look at that. He's diving right into the joint.

Here, hand me the bag.

Incredible.

He's put out every lick of the flame.

Don't forget who got the water turned on.

Olsen, just because you helped avert one catastrophe, that doesn't make up for

the hundreds you've created.

Let's go find Superman.

Come on, let's close up and get out of here.

We made our haul. No, better to stick around a while. It looks more

legitimate.

Lucky you found a note and contacted Superman.

Well, I wish I'd found it sooner. I could have... You could have, uh...

Well, I mean, Superman could. Anyway, it's too late now, Lois.

You better get your feet off the desk before the chief gets back.

Belly, Miss Lane, I'm just practicing up to be editor.

It's after four. I don't know what could be keeping the chief.

I'll tell you what kept me.

The district attorney, the arson squad, and the insurance investigators. Hardly

seems enough.

But, chief, you didn't commit any crime.

You might be more comfortable with your feet up on my desk, Mr. Olsen. Well, I

just had them up there.

Oh, please just sit down. You're getting red in the face.

Thank you.

You're most considerate.

Jim does have a point, chief.

It sounds as though you were treated like a criminal.

I was.

But that's absurd.

After all, you own a lot of Planet stock, which means you own part of the

warehouse. Unfortunately, there's a little matter of a missing payroll.

What's that got to do with it? Well, yesterday, just a few hours before the

fire started, a guard and I personally delivered a $12,000 payroll in the

company's safe.

A guard was posted.

When the fire started, naturally, he fled.

After the fire, the payroll was gone.

You mean stolen?

Apparently.

But the minute Superman got that fire under control, the place was swarming

with firemen, which means that the payroll was taken during the fire.

But that's impossible.

Why, that part of the building wasn't infernal.

Nevertheless, it was gone.

And there's only one logical answer, that I never really put the money in the

safe and that I started the fire to cover an embezzlement.

Both the guard and the watchman saw you put the money in the safe. They have

both testified that they saw me put the briefcase in the safe, but neither one

can say whether there was any money in the briefcase or not.

Well, that's kind of ridiculous. We all know you didn't do it. Yeah, but the D

.A. and the insurance company and the arson squad don't. In other words, if

you claim insurance, they'll try to prove fraud.

Yes, and if I don't claim it, I'll be personally liable for about a half

million dollars.

Well, how about the watchman?

Couldn't he have taken it? The poor man was severely burned.

Naturally, he'd have planned it better than that.

Well,

let's face it. That money just vanished right through the flames.

Though I'm sure the heat was too intense for any ordinary asbestos suit. Well,

I'm going to find out how it was done or end up in jail.

Don't talk like that, Chief.

You can count on us. We'll come to visit you every day.

Well, I am sorry to disappoint you, Mr. Rosen, but I'm not going to jail.

I used to be a pretty fair crime reporter in my day.

Let's hope I haven't lost my touch.

Chief, where are you going to start?

Anyplace. Engine Company 10, probably.

I want to talk to anybody who has seen anything unusual.

All right, I'll go with you. No, you won't.

Somebody has to hold down that desk. But, Chief, let me... Now, just a

minute. That's final.

Now, someone or something got me into this, and I'd like to be the one to find

out personally who or what it was.

I'll check with you every half hour in case you need me. Yes, sir.

I've never seen him that upset before, except, of course, at me.

You both better get back to work.

We don't want to let him down with the paper either.

I bet there's over ten grand there.

A couple more hauls like this and we can retire.

As long as we retire in different directions, I never want to hear another

wisecrack again.

Hey, I just thought of a new one.

You know what happened to the guys working at that warehouse?

I don't want to know.

They got fired.

Get it?

Fired.

You know, I really shouldn't cut you in for half the dough.

I do all the work.

Yeah? Who goes into the fire?

Who thought up the fireman's friend gimmick so he can get inside the fire

lines? And who thought of using the stepped-up hearing aid to detect the

locked tumblers?

Well, I guess it... And who spent two years developing your fireproof plastic

suit? You did, Slim. I got to hand it to you.

But how come you never sold the plastic formula to some big outfit?

That would be honest.

Yeah.

Yeah, I forgot about that.

I even had the foresight to line your suit with lead poles the Superman

couldn't see through it, in case he ever showed up.

That might have come in handy yesterday. It was pretty close.

Well, there it is. Six grand apiece.

Minus the two and a half bucks you owe me.

What for?

Your share for that five bucks I put out for coffee and donuts.

Get the door.

I beg your pardon. I'm Perry White of the Daily Planet.

I wonder if I could talk to you. We're pretty busy. Of course, Mr. White.

Come in.

Thank you.

Terrible thing, that fire at your warehouse.

Yes, that's what I wanted to talk to you about in a way.

I remembered your truck, the fireman's friend.

Oh, it's nothing really. The boys do a wonderful job.

We just like to make things a little easier for them.

Sort of a hobby.

The fire commissioner even gave us permission to have a shortwave radio in

our car so we could know where to go.

Yes, it's against the law, you know, to have a vehicle equipped with shortwave

radio without permission.

Yes, I'm aware of that. I'm a newspaper man.

How did you happen to locate us, Mr. White?

Sure luck, I must admit.

I was just driving by and I saw your truck parked outside.

So what can we do for you?

Well, a very strange thing happened at that fire.

A payroll was stolen.

You don't say.

I'm afraid I do. You mean during the fire?

Yes.

Sounds fantastic, I know.

But it's true.

A locked safe, a blazing room. Well, that's why I'm here.

I don't see how we can help.

Well, you two, of all people, might have seen something.

You weren't as occupied as the fireman or even myself.

Well, I'm afraid I don't quite understand, Mr. White. I want you to

think. Think very carefully of anything you saw, no matter how unimportant it

may seem.

I saw a dog run by.

I remember thinking he might become a hot dog.

Hot dog?

I'm afraid Mr.

White isn't interested in humor at the moment.

No, that isn't funny.

Now, please think carefully. Was there anything else?

Yes, there was one thing.

I heard an explosion.

That's been explained. The boiler.

Did you see any people who looked like they didn't belong?

No, we didn't see anything like that. Well, I'm afraid we can't help you, Mr.

White. I know that's an awful lot of money, and in fact, I'd like to have it

myself.

Well, thank you anyway. Sorry I bothered you.

Something wrong, Mr. White?

Yes.

I distinctly remember you wearing a hearing aid yesterday.

Oh, well, yeah. Well, he's an excellent lip reader, Mr. White.

I see. Well,

wait a minute.

I was pacing around the room looking out the window.

He couldn't have been reading my lips just a minute. Now, well, you see, he

needs it mostly out of doors.

All the outside noises, you know.

Oh, yeah, well, I guess that's possible.

Well, thanks anyway.

The more I think about it...

Now what do we do?

Serve him to the fireman?

He mustn't talk.

We need time for one or two big jobs.

Shouldn't even be found for a week or so.

We can't just ride him around with us for a week. We don't have to. I got a

better idea.

Come on, get in.

Do you want to check this story, Clark?

Oh, yes. Thanks, Lois.

How's the chief making out?

Well, to tell you the truth, I've been so busy, I'd almost forgotten about him.

He hasn't called in since he left.

That's almost two hours ago.

That's right.

That's not like him. He usually checks with me.

Unless he was too successful.

What do you mean, too successful? Well, he may have learned more than he was

supposed to.

I think you're right, Lois. Whoever's behind all this is obviously very clever

and probably equally dangerous. Where are you going?

Trying to pick up his trail.

Oh, take over for me, will you?

Slim, I gotta admit, you really use the old noggin.

Yeah, first the planet loses its warehouse, then its editor.

Yeah. He can't last no more than an hour or two where we left him.

By the time they find him, we'll be smoking Havana cigars.

In Havana.

Provided we get back to work.

Turn on the shortwave radio.

Well, thanks for your time anyway, Lieutenant. Wish I could help.

It's the craziest thing I ever heard of.

I'm not so worried about the payroll now. I'm more concerned about Mr. White.

Well, if he came here, I'm sure he would have talked to me. And he didn't.

Well, it leads me right up the well-known blind alley.

That's us.

Where is it?

It's on the call board downstairs.

Cars in Zone 7 proceed to Warehouse Fire, Bridge and Henshaw.

This is an emergency. Another warehouse. We're in luck.

Let's go.

That'll be like getting the fire under control pretty fast.

You know, this is one kind of job that doesn't burn me up.

Get it, Burns?

You know, you'd probably be wisecracking for the refiring squad.

Can't help it. Slim is part of my personality.

See you in five minutes.

Take it easy.

I thought you might be here, whoever you are. Hold it, Superman, or you'll never

see Mr. White again. We'll see about that. You got him hid.

No matter what you do to me, I won't talk.

You mean you want to make a bargain?

Yeah, a bargain.

You give me time to get out, and you stay here.

What can you give me?

I'll call the planet within an hour and tell you where to find White.

All right. I don't have any choice but let me warn you about something.

If anything happens to Mr. White... I give you my word, Superman.

He's in the safest surroundings possible.

Don't forget.

Let me get clear out.

When I make a bargain, I keep it.

Just made it. The fireman just started in.

You're not kidding. I just made it. I had a reception committee.

Superman. Superman?

Now, don't worry. It's okay.

Oh.

Give me another pot of coffee, though. Cryman need it.

Excuse me, gentlemen. I'd like to talk to you.

I'm sorry, mister. We're pretty busy. I know, but this is rather important.

You see, I'm from the Daily Planet.

Yeah, that Mr. White, the editor, was around last night at that other bar.

You mean you actually saw him there?

Well, I... Sure, I served him some coffee.

That's how I remember it.

Well, this is a break. You didn't happen to see him here tonight, did you? I have

a very good reason for thinking you might be here.

I haven't seen him, mister.

Me either.

But if he's lost, that should be pretty embarrassing. In fact, white should turn

red.

Will you be quiet?

I'm tired of your wisecracks. You've got to admit, they always make sense.

Well, thank you anyway, gentlemen.

Oh, incidentally, I think you're doing a wonderful job with this truck.

We think so.

Any news, Clark?

Nothing.

Nobody's seen him, except the fireman's friends. They remember serving him a cup

of coffee last night.

I wonder what could have happened.

Mr. Kent, the chief doesn't drink coffee.

That's right, Clark.

So he couldn't have had any last night.

Maybe they thought he did in the confusion.

Why don't you kids go on home? I'll give you a ring if anything turns up.

I guess there's nothing more we can do. Good night, Clark.

Good night.

Good night, Mr. Kent.

Good night, Jimmy.

And he didn't.

He's in the safest surroundings possible.

Why don't you be quiet?

I'm sick of your wisecracks.

You gotta admit, they always make sense.

Wisecracks.

Always makes sense.

Safest surroundings possible?

Well, I guess Superman won this round.

At least we took care of White.

And at least we ain't in jail.

What do we do now? Pack up and let's find another city.

Suits me. The sooner we're out of this burg, the better. All right, let's pack.

No, you're not dreaming.

Just about gone, Superman.

Couldn't breathe. Where are they, these firemen's friends?

Oh, then you know who they were. That's right.

Room 28.

Hotel Kelsey.

First Street.

Only a few minutes from here.

Well, I can make it even quicker than that.

Mr. White, I think we'd better throw them a little surprise party.

Hurry up. We've just got time to make the airport.

I'm ready.

Let's go.

Superman. The fire escape.

That's enough exercise, boys. I get around faster than you do.

You don't have anything on us.

No witnesses.

No, I wouldn't be too sure of that.

Well, the fireman's friends.

I can't get you, but I can shut him up.

Mr. White, will you call our friends, please? The police?

With pleasure, Superman.

What's the matter?

No wisecracks?

He'll have a long time to think up some new ones where he's going.

Get me the police, please.

I wonder what Clark Kent will have to say when I show up with this story.

Well, strangely enough, I don't think he'd be surprised.

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.