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.

[♪♪♪]

WOMAN [OVER RADIO]: 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...

[SIREN WAILING]

[♪♪♪]

I should be back in about a half-hour.

Lois, see that copy gets back to the boss.

Well, where are you going?

I have a few things to check on.

Ha, funny. Whenever we have to work late

you always seem to check on something around dinnertime.

I could 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...

Uh, no piccalilli? No.

No piccalilli. 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"?

Why...

Ah, 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...

[PHONE RINGS]

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 there. Where's Kent?

We don't know. He left.

I'll leave a note for him.

He'll have to take over when he gets back.

LOIS: Can we come too?

Yes, nothing could make it worse.

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

In that case, Olsen, we'll let it burn to the ground

even though we do have 100,000 dollars' worth

of newsprint in there.

[SIRENS WAILING]

Oh, no, I just remembered.

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

Don't take it so hard, chief. It's insured, isn't it?

Yes, but to stand here and see this happen...

Look, chief, the Fireman's Friend back there.

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

It doesn't make sense.

How can they make a profit back here inside the fire line?

Yeah, you'd think they'd be back there where the crowds are.

Oh, well, how about a cup of coffee, chief?

You know I never drink coffee.

Pardon me, we're from the Daily Planet.

That's our editor Mr. White over there.

We were wondering about this business.

It's just what it says, buddy.

Me and my pal serve free coffee and sinkers to the firemen.

It's a hobby.

Hot idea, huh?

[LAUGHS]

Get it, hot idea?

Sure, sure, I get it.

How about an exclusive picture interview?

We don't want any publicity, kid.

As I told you, it's a hobby.

We're just sort of honorary firemen.

[EXPLOSION, SIREN WAILS]

Who was that?

A reporter. The old man's the Planet editor.

I bet he's plenty burned, huh?

[LAUGHS]

Get it, burned?

[LAUGHS]

You know, one of these days,

you're gonna wisecrack just once too often

and get us both into real trouble.

Ha-ha! Okay, okay, let me have it.

You ready?

Yeah, I got the place all cased.

See you, Slim.

Yeah.

" Planet warehouse on fire. Take over."

Planet warehouse?

[♪♪♪]

It's no use, they're not gonna beat it.

I hope you're enjoying yourself, Olsen.

Yes, sir, I sure am.

I mean, no, no, I'm not.

I mean...

Right now I wish I were in it.

Coffee, folks?

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

[WHOOSHING]

Hey, look.

When did it start?

Less than an hour ago.

How about a cup for you?

No, thank you.

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

But perhaps I can using

the basic ingredient of coffee, water.

Jimmy, will you turn it on back there, please? Quick.

Yes, sir.

How'd you make out?

Safe 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.

Yeah. Here, hand me the tray.

Incredible. He's put out every lick of the flame.

Don't forget who got the water turned on.

Olsen, just because you help 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 the note and contacted Superman.

I wish I'd found it sooner. I could've...

You could've, 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.

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

It's after 4. I don't know what could be keeping the chief.

I'll tell you what kept me.

The district attorney, the Arson squad,

and 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...

[CHUCKLES]

Oh, please, sir, 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 was an inferno.

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.

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 it.

That's kind of ridiculous, we all know you didn't do it.

Yeah, but the DA 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 half a million dollars.

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.

Hmmm. 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.

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. Olsen,

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.

Uh, chief, where you gonna start?

Anyplace. Engine Company 10, probably.

I wanna talk to anybody who has seen anything unusual.

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

Hold down that desk. But, chief...

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 who or what it was.

I'll check with you every half-hour.

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 10 grand there.

A couple more hauls like this and we can retire.

As long as we retire in different directions.

I never wanna hear another wisecrack again.

Hey, I just thought of a new one.

Know what happened to the guys working at that warehouse?

I don't want to know.

They got fired.

[LAUGHS]

Get it, fired?

[LAUGHS]

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 we can get inside the fire lines?

Who thought of using the stepped-up hearing aid

to detect the lock tumblers?

Well, I guess it...

And who spent two years

developing your fireproof plastic suit?

You did, Slim. I gotta 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 had the foresight to line your suit with lead foil

so 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, 6 grand apiece.

Minus the 2 and a half bucks you owe me.

What for?

Your share for that 5 bucks I put out

for coffee and doughnuts.

[KNOCK ON DOOR]

Get the door.

[SLIM CLEARS THROAT]

I beg your pardon, I'm Perry White

of the Daily Planet.

I wonder if I could talk.

We're pretty busy.

Of course, Mr. White, come in.

Thank you.

Terrible thing, that fire at your warehouse.

Yes, that's what I want 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 can know where to go.

Yes, it's against the law to have a vehicle equipped

with shortwave radio without permission.

Yes, I'm aware of that. I'm a newspaperman.

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

Sheer 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.

HENCHMAN: 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 firemen 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.

Hmmm.

I saw a dog run by.

I remember thinking he might become a hot dog.

[LAUGHS]

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, ahem, I'm afraid we can't help you, Mr. White.

I know that's an awful lot of money

and, heh, 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, I...

He's an excellent, ah, lip reader, Mr. White.

Hm. I see. Well...

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, uh, ahem,

he needs it mostly out-of-doors.

Uh, all the outside noises, you know.

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

Well, thanks anyway.

Let's get our coats.

[♪♪♪]

The Fireman's Friend.

The more I think about it...

[LOCKS DOOR]

Now what do we do, serve him to the firemen?

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 wanna check this story, Clark?

Oh, yes, thanks, Lois.

Hey, how's the chief making out?

Well, to tell you the truth,

I've been so busy I... I'd almost forgotten about him.

He hasn't called in since he left.

Why, 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?

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 dangerous.

Where are you going?

Try and 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.

[RADIO HUMS]

Well, thanks for your time anyway, lieutenant.

Wish I could help.

It's the craziest thing I ever heard of.

Mm-hm. I'm not worried about the payroll now,

I'm more concerned about Mr. White.

If he came here, I'm sure he would've talked to me,

and he didn't.

It leaves me right up the well-known blind alley.

[ALARM RINGS]

That's us.

Where is it?

It's on the callboard downstairs.

WOMAN [OVER RADIO]: Cars in Zone Seven, proceed to warehouse fire.

Bridge and Henshaw. This is an emergency...

Another warehouse, we're in luck.

Let's go.

[SIRENS WAILING]

Give me the other one, Slim.

[TIRES SQUEALING, WHISTLE BLOWING]

Coast clear? It better be.

They're getting this fire under control pretty fast.

You know, this is one kind of job

that doesn't burn me up.

[LAUGHS]

Get it, burn?

You know, you'd probably wisecrack

in front of a firing squad.

Can't help it, Slim, it's part of my personality.

See you in five minutes.

Take it easy.

I thought you might be here, whoever you are.

HENCHMAN: Hold it, Superman,

or you'll never see Mr. White again.

We'll see about that.

We got him hid.

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

You mean you wanna 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.

[LAUGHS]

Don't forget, let me get clear out.

When I make a bargain, I keep it.

[DISTANT CHATTERING]

Just made it, the firemen just started in.

You're not kidding.

I had a reception committee: Superman.

Superman?

Yeah, don't worry, it's okay.

Hold it.

Give me another pot of coffee, those firemen 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.

I'm from the Daily Planet.

Yeah, that Mr. White was around last night

at that other fire.

You mean you... You actually saw him there?

Well, I... I served him some coffee, that's how I remember.

This is a break. You didn't happen to see him tonight?

I have a very good reason to think he 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.

[LAUGHING]

SLIM: Will you be quiet.

I'm tired of your wisecracks.

You gotta admit, they always make sense.

Well, thank you anyway, gentlemen.

Oh, 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 coulda hap...

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 ring if anything turns up.

I guess there's nothing we can do.

Good night, Clark. Night.

Good night, Mr. Kent.

Good night, Jimmy.

[♪♪♪]

[SIGHS]

LIEUTENANT: Well, if he came here, I'm sure he would have talked to me,

and he didn't.

HENCHMAN: He's in the safest surroundings possible.

SLIM: Why don't you be quiet. I'm sick of your wisecracks.

HENCHMAN: You gotta admit, they always make sense.

"Wisecracks"...

"Always make sense."

"Safest surroundings possible"?

Well, I guess Superman won this round,

but at least we took care of White.

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.

[♪♪♪]

Oh.

It's all right, Mr. White.

No, you're not dreaming.

I'd just about gone, Superman. Couldn't breathe.

Where are they, these Fireman's Friends?

Oh, then you know who they were.

That's right.

Room 28,

Hotel Kelsey,

First Street.

O-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.

Now, you don't have anything on us.

No witnesses.

Oh, 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'll be surprised.

[♪♪♪]

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.