Original subtitles

NARRATOR: The Adventures of Superman.

Faster than a speeding bullet.

More powerful than a locomotive.

Able to leap tall buildings at a single bound.

MAN 1: Look! Up in the sky! MAN 2: It's a bird!

WOMAN: It's a plane! MAN 3: It's Superman!

NARRATOR: 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.

[♪♪♪]

["LA MARSEILLAISE" PLAYING]

You know, I still can't believe

we're actually in Paris, Mr. Kent.

Oh, we're here, all right, Jimmy.

What I'd like to know

is what the Prefect of Police wants with us.

Ah, Monsieur Olsen, Monsieur Kent.

Forgive me for keeping you waiting.

I am Launay.

You're kidding.

Uh, pardonnez-moi.

Oh, come off it, Bill.

What are you doing way over here?

Monsieur, I do not understand.

Oh, come on.

You're Inspector Henderson from Metropolis

all dressed up with a trick moustache.

Monsieur...

I assure you the moustache, she is my own,

and I am not Inspector Henderson of Metropolis, uh, U.S.A.,

but Inspector Launay of Paris, France.

But the resemblance is truly frightening...

I-I mean, remarkable, sir.

Uh, perhaps it is, monsieur,

that all police inspectors, they look alike.

Monsieur. Thank you.

Anyway, having you look like Inspector Henderson

makes it feel sort of homey.

Uh, thank you, monsieur.

Ahem. Now that we have established my identity,

and since everybody knows

that you are sometimes able

to contact Superman...

Uh, the letter.

It was, uh, addressed to Superman,

in, uh, care of myself.

It was written from one

of our less fortunate neighboring countries

behind the Iron Curtain.

Are you authorized to open it, Monsieur Kent?

Oh, I don't think that Superman will mind.

Let's see.

"Monsieur Superman.

"I write this in haste but implore you to meet me here

"backstage at the Lacordia Theater,

"at 5:00, the morning of April 2nd.

"The welfare of many people is at stake.

Signed, Anna Constantine."

I thought it would be something like that.

You know this Madame Constantine?

Ah, yes, I...

I saw her once on... On the stage.

She was a great actress in her country before the war.

After...

[CHUCKLING] Well...

The theater, she has been closed for many years.

Mm-hm. This does sound

rather urgent though, doesn't it?

I recommend nothing.

It, uh, is not exactly a police affair...

yet.

Uh, you think it will be?

The simplest acts often lead

to my door, monsieur.

I like to be prepared.

I see. Well, thank you for your courtesy.

We must return to our hotel.

Au revoir. Au revoir.

Au revoir. Goodbye, sir.

Come on, Jimmy.

What do you think Superman will do, Mr. Kent?

Well, I'm not sure, Jimmy.

I'm expecting him to contact me here tonight.

Oh.

Would you take these to the press bureau

and file them to the Planet?

I thought we were gonna send them in the morning.

Uh, yes, well, um...

I think tonight would be better.

Oh, and I have a few errands to do, Jimmy,

so if I'm not home early, don't wait up for me, huh?

All right.

I suppose I can spend a rousing evening

at Napoleon's tomb then.

I'll see you later, Mr. Kent.

Good night, Jimmy.

[♪♪♪]

[WHOOSH]

[EXHALES]

Madame Constantine?

[RUSSIAN ACCENT] Yes, Superman.

You startled me.

But it is worth it to have you here.

Are we alone? Gregore is with me.

He's an old family servant

and a devoted friend.

He is outside, watching.

Watching? You mean, uh,

you're afraid of something?

Oh. Of everything these days.

Wait. What is it?

[TICKING NOISE] I'm not quite sure.

Excuse me.

[CLANG]

[TICKING GROWS LOUDER]

Oh. Get over there quickly.

A bomb.

It was a bomb, and you smothered it

with your bare hands.

Yes, and now I'm very glad I came here.

I heard an explosion. Are you all right, madame?

Oh, no harm done, Gregore. Thanks to Superman.

My most humble thanks. I've...

If anything should happen to madame,

I would never forgive myself.

Well, evidently, somebody wanted something to happen.

I was the only other one

who knew she would be here.

Including me and several others.

I think I know.

It happens every once in a while.

A hidden bomb planted during the war by our enemies,

or even our own underground.

Oh, that is it.

The mechanism stops. Then, years later, a sudden jar.

Yes. And when you landed down here...

All right, all right. I'll accept that for now.

But tell me, madame...

is there any reason for anyone wishing you harm?

Yes.

For these.

They're all real.

Must be worth a king's ransom.

Yes. They have been in my family for generations.

They were taken from us during the war.

It has taken Gregore and I many years to get them back.

And how did you get them back?

We took them.

You mean you stole them.

No.

The jewels belong to madame.

They were stolen from her. We merely took them back.

That is not stealing.

Please, you must believe us.

You may check later. But right now,

I must get them back to Paris.

You mean you can't cross the frontier?

Oh, never.

Gregore and I would be checked most thoroughly.

Well, I'm very sorry, madame,

but this isn't quite the kind of work that I do.

But it is not for me.

I intend to sell them, and use the money

to help hundreds of my relatives and friends in France.

They are trying to make a new life in a new country.

It is often not easy, sir. They...

They are poor. They need help.

Very well then. But I warn you both:

I intend to check the rightful owner,

as well as where the money is spent.

You will never be sorry, sir.

Let's hope not.

Gregore and I will take the morning train,

and we will meet you in Paris

near the fountain at the Tuileries

at midnight.

I'll be there.

[SUPERMAN FLIES OFF]

[♪♪♪]

You have kept our second appointment, Superman.

I hope to be of no more trouble to you.

If what you've said is true...

it's the kind of trouble I enjoy.

There you are.

Airmail, special delivery.

[SIGHS]

There is no way to thank you.

And there is no need, Madame Constantine.

Who are you to sneak up like wolves in the dark?

Pierre Lamont. My Sûreté credential.

And this is Officer Durand.

We have no need for the police.

But perhaps the police have need of you, madame.

And just what do you mean by that?

As if you didn't know, Monsieur Superman.

You visit our country and take up with thieves.

We are not thieves.

Well, let's just pretend that I don't know, huh?

I can only say you are standing

with two of Europe's most accomplished smugglers.

We were alerted to their arrival

and followed them here,

hoping also to trap their accomplice.

That's very interesting.

That's not the story I was told.

Do not listen to them, Superman.

There is some terrible mistake.

Yes.

Yours, Madame Constantine.

All right, you two.

Madame, monsieur,

come with me, please.

I know you could prevent this,

Monsieur Superman, but you won't.

Because I promise I keep you out of it.

Not for your sake,

but for the sake of so many who believe in you.

I've always tried to justify that faith.

Smarter the criminal,

the more legitimate he tries to appear.

You are not welcome in my country, monsieur.

I know no jail can hold you...

but you cannot even fly from your own conscience.

Ah. I was hoping you would drop back to see me,

Monsieur Kent.

As I said, I am rather curious.

So am I. As a matter of fact, I'd like to see

Madame Constantine and Gregore,

if you can arrange it, please.

That depends upon where they are.

Right here in your jail, of course.

No, monsieur. I assure you, they are not.

Uh, this is the arrest list for the last 24 hours.

Neither is listed.

They must be.

What makes you think so?

Well, that was Superman's information.

They were both arrested last night at midnight

by one of your men. [SNAPS]

Lamont was his name.

Monsieur, there is no Lamont on my force.

Perhaps you'd better give me more details.

Details. That's what Superman would like to have,

a few more details.

Incidentally, there's a fortune in jewels involved.

Jewels.

Jewels.

And Ducrai has been out of prison only one month.

Ducrai? Jacques Ducrai.

He has a little shop on the Rue de Nuit.

Why did you mention him?

He is a master craftsman, a genius.

He can recut and reset a diamond

so you would not know it.

He was in great demand by the underworld

until we, heh, retired him.

I see. Well, sir,

I've taken up enough of your time.

And you have told me nothing, monsieur.

Well, after all, it's Superman's affair, isn't it?

Uh... we'd better leave it up to him.

Good day, sir.

Adieu.

SUPERMAN: Ducrai. Jacques Ducrai?

Who are you?

Uh, pull the curtain down, please.

I must talk with you.

And lock the front door.

[THROWS LOCK]

If you come to rob me,

you waste your time.

I deal in junk now.

Zircons, glass beads,

synthetic pearls.

No, no, no.

That's not why I'm here.

I'm known as Superman.

But I need your help.

Superman, yes.

Yes, I know of you.

Oh, good.

Then...

you will help me?

An old man like me?

How could I be of service to Superman?

Well, if you can still use these tools...

your hands would be very valuable

to certain people.

I am an honest man now.

I make a few honest francs.

And I am content.

But suppose

someone with a fabulous gem collection

wished to sell them.

They, uh...

They still might come here, mightn't they?

No, no! No, no, no, no.

I will have nothing to do with them!

I wouldn't touch the Constantine collection

for...! Ah-ha!

Then you do know about them, Monsieur Ducrai.

Well, that's why I'm here.

I must recover those stones.

I must find out where they were taken.

I know nothing. Nothing!

But you mentioned them before I did.

Please tell me what you do know.

I only know rumors.

From what you call

the grapevine.

They are looking for a buyer.

A fence.

I don't know who they are,

but I will not help them.

What would you say this collection was worth, sir?

From what I know,

they will sell for 20 million francs.

Or...

perhaps 50 or 60 thousand dollars in your money.

Monsieur Ducrai, you can do me

a great, great favor, if you will, sir.

I'd like you to put out a...

A rumor on this grapevine of yours.

Tell them you found a buyer.

A rich, young American here

to make an illegal purchase.

[GASPS] But the police.

If I'm caught again...

Monsieur Ducrai, I assure you

I'll do everything in my power to keep you out of trouble.

What is this American's name?

Olsen. Mr. James Olsen,

at the Hôtel des Artistes.

I will do as you ask.

Oh, good. Thank you.

Thank you very much, Monsieur Ducrai.

Uh... But how...?

How should I let you know...

when it's done?

Well, there will be

a man here at 5:00 this afternoon.

A Mr. Clark Kent.

Now, please give him any news you may have received.

At 5:00. I will not forget.

I will be here.

Good. So will he.

Goodbye, sir.

[♪♪♪]

Is madame comfortable?

Your manners are French, monsieur...

but that is all.

Every country has its scoundrels, madame.

And I am one of France's best.

Thirty. Well...?

We are in luck.

I have information on a buyer.

An American. Good. Excellent.

All Americans are rich.

He should pay well.

I am sure the great Superman

has just not forgotten this incident.

We must be careful of a trap.

And do not pretend you're not worried, monsieur.

I always worry, madame.

That's why I have never been caught.

We are wasting time.

Let's sell to this American and be done with it.

In my business, you must learn to move carefully,

like a cat in the night. [TUTS]

Will this American buy the lot

just as they are? I'm not sure.

If he wants them cut and remounted,

we must be ready. Yes, but who?

It is not easy these days.

And the ones that do it are like butchers. Huh.

There is only one man.

Jacques Ducrai. Jacques Ducrai?

Oh, he will never touch them.

He does not want to go back to prison.

There are ways to make men do things.

Yes, if we had him here, but, heh,

we could never kidnap him from his own shop.

Ho, ho.

I'm sure he will come quietly.

[CHUCKLES]

Pierre, you are a genius.

Exactly. [CHUCKLES]

Jimmy, I'm sorry. It's 4:30.

I have to keep an appointment.

But what will I do if they call?

Well, you make an appointment here,

or wherever else they say.

But not before 7:00.

Now, remember that. That's very important.

Not before 7.

That will give Superman time

to make whatever arrangements he has to.

I think I'll send my mother a postcard:

"Having a wonderful time. Wish I was there."

You do that, Jimmy.

"While a dealer in stolen gems

"may make a handsome profit...

"he invariably spends the best part of his life

in jail."

[PHONE RINGING]

Hello?

Yes, this is Mr. Olsen.

Yes, the Mr. Olsen.

Yes, I am interested in merchandise

of a very special nature.

You want to set up the meeting here?

Make it 7.

All right, I'll be waiting for you at 7.

Gentlemen, it is arranged.

By tomorrow morning, we should have our money and be gone.

Good. Perhaps Superman

will have something

to say about that yet.

I intend to take certain precaution

against that possibility, madame.

Whatever your plans are, Pierre,

I will not cooperate.

Bravo, monsieur.

When the time comes, Ducrai,

you will do what is necessary.

Never!

Let's see. It is now

20 minutes before 5.

Pierre? Yes?

Pierre...

I am an old coward

talking like a young hero.

I do not wish to be hurt.

I will do as you say.

Monsieur, I beg you.

Now you are an old man

talking with wisdom.

But there's only one thing.

I need my own tools.

They are the secret of my craft.

If you would allow me to go to my shop...

The request is reasonable,

but Raoul will get them for you.

The keys to your shop, please, Monsieur Ducrai.

But I will return. I promise.

The keys!

Of course.

[BELL JINGLES]

Monsieur Ducrai?

Monsieur Ducrai?

He promised he'd be here.

I am the one who called you not long ago, Mr. Olsen.

You. But I said not before 7.

And it's only about 5.

You can't be here before 7.

But I am here.

Yeah.

Well, um...

would you like to sit down?

Thank you.

Maybe we can kill a couple of hours

talking about old times.

Old times?

That's right.

We just met, didn't we?

How would you like to have a nice leisurely dinner?

I'll have it sent up.

I am here for strictly business.

Strictly business.

Well, that's the way I like it.

Forgive me, Mr. Olsen,

but aren't you rather young

to be an American hoodlum?

Well, I got started early.

You see, Mom and Dad and the whole family were...

Uh, was all in the rackets.

And, uh...

they brought me up right.

Oh, I see.

Well, let's get a gander at the ice.

Gander? Ice?

Oh, yes. Of course.

Naturally, I don't have them with me,

but I will take you to the place.

The place? Yes.

Where you can gander the ice, monsieur.

[♪♪♪]

[BELL JINGLES]

Who are you? What do you do here?

I'm waiting for Monsieur Ducrai.

How did you get in?

The door was supposed to be locked.

But it wasn't when I came in.

However, the shop is closed, monsieur. Good night.

Hey, just a minute. Where is Monsieur Ducrai?

I do not know.

I, uh...

bought the shop just this afternoon.

See, I have the keys. Uh-huh.

Now, go. Good night, monsieur.

Haven't I seen you before?

No, no, no, no. You're mistaken.

This is impossible. Heh. Good night, monsieur.

Yes, I guess you're right.

Good night, sir.

You mean, this is him? Yes.

He is an expert at gandering the ice

in spite of his youth.

Isn't that so, monsieur?

Sure it's so.

You are helping them

rob unfortunate people, monsieur.

I'm sorry, lady, but business is business.

You know what? I forgot my eyepiece at the hotel.

I'll be back with it in about a half an hour.

I have one here, monsieur,

if you will sit down.

Thank you.

I have read about American gangsters.

The cruel eyes.

The snarling mouth.

Who, me?

Ho. Listen, I'm...

Yeah, that's me.

[POKER CHIPS CLATTERING]

The old man is Ducrai.

He will cut and reset the stones right here.

Tonight, if you wish.

I only have one wish.

Of course. To see the jewels.

I will get them. Yeah. The ice.

I want to see the ice.

Hurry up with the ice!

The ice.

Voilà. At least.

How much? How much will you give us?

Now, just don't rush me.

Boy, that's a nice bunch of...

points and carats.

How much? How much will you give?

I'll tell you what.

I'll give you 20 million francs

for the whole bunch.

You are an amazing judge of gems, monsieur.

Well, I get around.

Or at least I used to.

[DOOR OPENS] It's him! I knew he'd come.

And whom were you expecting, monsieur?

Well...

Him.

You know, I have contacts too.

I did some investigating.

I knew there was, uh... Uh...

Three of you in on this caper.

Ha. Forgive my suspicion, monsieur.

I realize that you, too,

must be careful.

Let's get on.

One more piece, Mr. Olsen...

from another collection.

How much will you add for it?

I'll give you another 2 million francs.

You are very, very generous, monsieur...

considering it is made of glass.

[GASPS]

Yeah, but, uh... top-quality glass.

Enough. You are an imposter.

You fool. You've bungled it.

There is no harm done.

That's why I called on him two hours early.

To avoid a trap.

Now we must dispose of the three of them at once.

Exactly. Move, monsieur.

Oh, I'm sorry. It wasn't supposed to turn out this way.

Oh, it is I who am sorry for causing all this.

Come on, move!

Come on, move. Come on.

Open it.

[BOTH MEN GRUNTING]

Easy.

Don't be afraid.

There is nothing in there.

Except a few rats, perhaps.

Monsieur Olsen, you may lead the way.

Jeepers. There was nothing about this

in the guided tour to Paris.

Monsieur, move.

Wait. I'll tell you the truth.

Superman followed me here.

Is that so?

You bet it's so. He's right outside.

All right, Superman, you can come in now!

Well, monsieur?

Superman!

Move.

Don't move!

Move it!

Please, Superman.

[CRASHING]

[GLASS BREAKS]

Superman.

They can't hurt him.

[CLICKING] [CLICKING]

Wait for me.

[SIGHS]

Well, that should hold them for a while.

At least till we can notify the real members of the Sûreté.

I seem always to be

thanking you, Superman.

And I... The excitement

makes me feel young again.

But how did you ever find us?

Well, you can thank Monsieur Ducrai

for sending that man to get his tools.

Ah. Then you recognized

the fake policeman?

That's right. And I followed him here.

But...

But it was Mr. Kent...

who should have been there.

How do you explain that, Superman?

With the truth, Jimmy.

You're not the only one I have to keep track of.

Sometimes I'm very close to Clark Kent, you know.

[♪♪♪]

NARRATOR: Don't miss the next thrill-packed episode

in the amazing Adventures of Superman!

Superman is based on the original character

appearing in Superman magazine.