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[♪♪♪]
NARRATOR: Faster than a speeding bullet.
More powerful than a locomotive.
Able to leap tall buildings at a single bound.
MAN 2: It's a bird!
MAN 3: It's Superman!
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.
And now, another exciting episode
in the Adventures of Superman!
Hello, Butler.
Hmm?
Oh, hello, Conway.
Are you alone?
Mm-hm. Join me.
Oh, thanks. I will.
No, no, thanks.
[SIGHS]
I was just reading about Superman's latest exploit.
Fabulous character.
Even more fabulous than the fabulous Mr. Butler, huh?
[CHUCKLES]
A good deal more. Have you seen this?
"Superman wages war against crime."
He closed 14 gambling places in two hours, single-handed.
Simply amazing.
Do I detect a note of envy?
You certainly do.
Can you imagine having that much power?
The power to fly like a bird...
to span thousands of miles in the twinkling of an eye...
to smash through concrete walls as if they were paper...
to defy authority without fear of punishment.
But Superman doesn't defy authority.
He cooperates with it.
I know.
But he has the power to if he wants to exercise it.
That's what counts: the power, the ability.
What would you do with his power if you had it,
if you were Superman?
Let's not go into that.
What I was thinking while I was reading that paper--
Almost better than being Superman
would be having the ability to control him.
If you accomplish that, let me know about it, will you?
I have a few odd jobs I'd like him to do for me.
To be able to say you control Superman.
Even if it were only for 30 minutes.
Why...
it's like saying you hold the world in the palm of your hand.
No king,
no emperor,
no dictator ever had more power.
Aren't you getting a little too serious about this, Butler?
I never was more serious in my life.
I'd give almost anything I own
to be able to control Superman for just 30 minutes.
That's impossible, so why talk about it?
I don't think it's impossible.
Oh, come now.
Would you like to make a little bet?
You know, I should have suspected, knowing you,
that you were leading up to something like this.
Okay, what's the gimmick?
No gimmick.
I'll make you a bet I can control Superman for 30 minutes.
So just what do you mean by "control"?
Make him do my bidding,
keep him in my power.
For 30 minutes?
That's right.
Okay.
You've got a bet.
How much?
One hundred thousand dollars.
Aren't you, uh, going a little steep?
You want me to do the impossible, don't you?
Let's make it worthwhile.
All right.
You're on.
One hundred thousand dollars
you can't control Superman for 30 minutes.
Now I think I'll have that drink.
What I have to say I will say only to Miss Lane privately.
He says he has to see you privately.
Yes, ma'am.
It's the third door on the left.
Third door on the left.
[KNOCK AT DOOR]
Come in.
How do you do, Miss Lane? My name is Bomb.
B-A-U-M.
No, not B-A-U-M, B-O-M-B. Bomb.
That's a rather odd name.
Yes.
And my first name is Human.
I am a human bomb.
I'm sorry, I have other things to do now,
so if you'll please excuse me--
Just a moment, please.
Of all the ridiculous things!
[GASPS]
Why, you're crazy!
Go ahead. You may call anyone you wish.
Hello? Send Mr. Kent in here quickly.
He's out?
Well, send someone in here. Anyone.
If this is your idea of a joke,
I don't think much of your sense of humor.
Believe me, it's no joke.
Hey, what's going on here?
What's the idea?
He says he's a human bomb, Jim.
You mean he's gonna explode?
Whether I do or not depends entirely on Miss Lane.
Take that handcuff off Miss Lane or I'll poke you one!
Be careful, young man.
If I press this, all of us will be blown to kingdom come.
Oh, who are you trying to kid? That stuff isn't dynamite.
Examine it.
Hmm. It looks real.
All right, let's assume it is real.
What do you want?
Money, I suppose.
No, not money. At least, not from you.
All I want is Superman.
In the first place,
what makes you think I could deliver Superman to you?
And if I could, what do you want with him?
Just a small favor.
Jim, get Mr. Kent.
No, wait. No, wait. Get...get the chief.
Okay. And should I phone the police?
By all means, Jim. And shut the door as you go out, please.
You'll go to jail for this, you know that.
Probably.
But it should be worth it.
Do you mind if I sit down?
You'd better not.
As a matter of fact, this office may become a little crowded
as soon as your young friend has given the alarm.
And I don't like to be crowded.
We're quite high, aren't we?
We wouldn't be crowded out on that ledge, would we?
Well, it-- it might be a little windy.
Let's try it and find out.
No! Please, I can't stand heights.
I get sick and dizzy.
Be careful, Miss Lane. The detonator.
Be a good girl, Miss Lane, and do as I say.
No answer at Kent's apartment. He must be on his way over.
Gosh, I hope so. Somebody's gotta do something!
What do you mean, "somebody's gotta do something"?
Are you inferring that Kent can do anything I can't do?
Golly no, Mr. White.
It's only that Miss Lane's in there with that nut
and sometimes Mr. Kent can get in touch with Superman.
Are you inferring that Superman can do something I can't do?
Well, I guess maybe you're gonna fire me, chief,
but let's face it, the answer is yes.
Guess you're right. Let's go!
Are you trying to kid me?
Honest, chief, they were here.
But they're not here now, are they?
Sam, where did Lois go?
MAN: Didn't see her come out, boss.
Wow!
Lois, come in from there this minute!
I'd love to, chief, but he won't let me.
Quick, get me police headquarters.
Deputy Inspector Hill.
Let's go inside where we can talk this thing over calmly.
No. In fact, I think we'll move a few steps further on.
We're just a trifle too close to that window.
[SCREAMS]
It's your high heels.
MAN: Watch out!
He's got her up there on the ledge.
Superman there yet?
Nope.
That's a real stick of dynamite if I ever saw one, Mr. Kent.
Did you ever see a real stick of dynamite, Jim?
Well, no, but it sure looks real.
It says "dynamite" right on it.
Doesn't mean a thing.
Clark, will you please do something? Get Superman.
An excellent idea, Mr. Kent.
By all means, get Superman.
You think I can turn Superman on and off like a faucet?
This has gone far enough. Come in here, you two.
Not until Superman arrives, Mr. Kent.
Chief...
I never thought the Daily Planet
would be guilty of a thing like this.
What do you mean?
The cheapest kind of publicity stunt.
Manufacturing headlines.
But Mr. Kent, this is for real for sure.
And risking the life not only of some stunt man,
but that of Lois too.
Well, if she's crazy enough to let you talk her into it--
Kent, you're crazy if you think--
Sure, I'm crazy if I let myself
become a party to this kind of sensational journalism.
But look, Mr. Kent!
I don't want any part of it. I'm leaving!
We could be here days waiting for Superman to show up.
I hardly think so.
Superman always seems to show up whenever you're in trouble.
It may even be that he's fond of you.
Cigarette, Miss Lane?
No, thanks.
And I'd just as soon you didn't smoke either
with all that dynamite.
[♪♪♪]
Superman!
Don't come any closer.
How did you find out about this?
It's hardly any secret.
Now, what is it you want?
Just your company for 30 minutes.
He's crazy!
This is some cheap publicity stunt.
Hardly.
Both the danger and the dynamite are real.
If you have any doubts,
you'll find a stick of it on Miss Lane's desk.
Chief, Superman's here!
Thank heaven!
That the dynamite?
Yes, this Human Bomb character
gave it to Jimmy to prove he wasn't faking.
He isn't.
It looks like dynamite, feels like dynamite
and smells like dynamite.
Couldn't you take it to the police lab, Inspector Hill,
and have it analyzed or something?
Look here, Olsen.
I guess if I say--
We'll soon find out.
It's rigged with a detonating cap.
Jim, hand me the flash gun from that camera, will you, please?
Great Caesar's ghost! You're not going to--
Not in here, Mr. White.
Thank you.
Golly!
It is dynamite!
He's all right.
He's coming down.
All right. What do you want?
You're convinced my dynamite is real?
Just what is it you want?
Your company and your cooperation.
You'll have to be more explicit.
I want your cooperation for 30 minutes while I win a bet.
A bet?
Yes.
I've wagered $100,000
that I can have a robbery committed at a time and place
which you, Superman, are aware of
and that you will do nothing to prevent.
That guy is nuts!
Do you mean to tell me that you're actually risking
not only your own life but that of Miss Lane as well
just to win a bet?
Obviously you don't know me.
I enjoy living dangerously.
Stay where you are!
The robbery I spoke of will take place within 30 minutes
at the Metropolis Museum.
Nothing of great value will be stolen.
In any event, it will be returned.
You will remain here
and you will do nothing to prevent the robbery.
Is that clear?
It may be clear to him, but it's not to me.
Please, inspector!
Don't interfere. Let him handle it.
Well, do we have a deal or don't we?
What happens at the end of 30 minutes?
All right.
All right what?
You can go ahead with your robbery.
Inside.
It makes me nervous to see Miss Lane out here.
It makes you nervous?
I warn you, Superman.
Don't leave.
You'll see me.
Superman went into Kent's office. Come on.
Please, inspector, let me take a couple of boys out on the ledge
and grab that guy.
Not now, Riley. Maybe later.
Okay.
Let's go.
Shh!
There's a tape recorder in Mr. White's office, isn't there?
Get it!
Keep the motor running.
What are you gonna do with that thing?
Make a one-line recording.
Okay.
Now, the next time I speak to that character on the ledge,
get it on the tape.
BUTLER: Superman!
Superman?
I want your assurance that you're staying there.
No comment until the time limit is up.
You mean you're just going to sit there and leave me out here?
No comment until the time limit is up.
Good.
Now, the next time either he or Miss Lane speaks to me,
play it back.
Would you mind telling us just what you're up to?
Mr. White, will you step in front of that window, please,
and block their view for a minute?
Inspector, take off your coat, please.
Sit down.
Are you there, Superman?
No comment until the time limit is up.
Mr. White--
You sit there and don't move.
Where are you going?
I'll be back in a few minutes.
You're still there, I see.
No comment until the time limit is up.
Better let me handle that thing.
You're a cinch to botch it.
It won't be much longer, Miss Lane.
I just told Miss Lane it won't be much longer, Superman.
I turned the wrong switch. I wiped it off the tape!
It's lucky he said it twice.
It's on the tape again further back.
I said it won't be much longer, huh, Superman?
No comment until the time limit is up.
Shh!
It isn't there. The guy's a fake!
What isn't there?
Oh, nothing.
Hello, Miriam? Yeah, it's me, Jim.
Look, Miriam, I may not be able to keep that date tonight.
No, maybe not tomorrow night either.
Maybe never.
But, Miriam, I wanted you to know that I, well--
Golly, Miriam--
You know what I mean!
You do?
Well, goodbye, Miriam.
[♪♪♪]
Sure. A cinch.
Move over.
[ENGINE REVS]
Come on, let's go. Get going!
Something's wrong.
Well, put her in gear.
I got her in gear!
Well, we ain't moving!
The wheels are spinning, can't you hear them?
L-l-look!
Superman!
All right, boys.
There's a police station right around the corner.
The sarge will be very happy
to give you both free room and board.
Just a few more minutes, Superman.
No comment until the time limit is up.
How does it feel to be hogtied for once?
No comment until the time limit is up.
Just keep right on sitting there, Superman.
I haven't taken my eyes off that window for a second.
Shh!
Get back!
Jim, for heaven's sake!
I'm not gonna get back,
and unless that phony gets himself and you
inside the office pronto,
I'm gonna whack him over the head
with this niblick or whatever it is.
I've warned you.
Go on, press the button.
You know nothing's gonna happen.
Superman, you better get this young fool off my neck.
No comment until the time limit is up.
Yeah, if I'm a young fool, you're an old one,
because Superman isn't even in there!
We've got his voice on a tape recorder!
You're lying!
That stupid kid!
Mr. White, Inspector Hill,
if Superman's in there, tell him to come to the window.
Don't listen to that kid!
Olsen, get in here instantly or you're fired!
I'm sorry, Mr. White,
but I can't let anybody push Miss Lane around.
He double-crossed me. Superman double-crossed me.
Please, you don't understand.
I understand perfectly.
Now, take that handcuff off Miss Lane.
Okay, Miss Lane, now squeeze by me and climb through the window.
Jim, there isn't enough room. You go first.
Neither of you goes in until I've left.
Come on, Miss Lane. Please.
Now I go, and don't anyone try to stop me.
You're not going anywhere!
I've warned you.
Go on, press that *** button!
You know nothing's gonna happen because that's phony dynamite.
Olsen, stay away from him!
Keep back!
Go on, why don't you try to blow me up?
Stupid fake!
Jim!
[PEOPLE GASPING]
Somebody do something. He'll be killed!
No! No, you might hit Jim.
Ow!
[SCREAMS]
Look. Look!
Oh, thank heavens!
All right, let's get inside.
Golly, Superman, any time I can ever do anything for you, just--
Everything under control, inspector?
Fine, if you like this sort of work.
Jim, why did you go out there?
Gosh, I was only trying to save Miss Lane.
And besides, I knew the dynamite
that guy had strapped to him was phony.
How, Jim?
Well, because.
That first stick of dynamite he showed us said on it
it was made by the Apex Powder Company.
But when I looked for the Apex Powder Company
in the phone book, it wasn't even listed.
But the first stick did explode, remember?
And the fact that a company
isn't in the Metropolis phone book
doesn't mean that it isn't in some other city.
Ohh...
Hey, do you know who this crazy loon is?
He's "Bet-a-Million" Butler.
He'll bet on anything.
Now it's my turn to blow up.
[GRUNTS]
Well, we can take him down to headquarters now, Riley.
And we don't have to pamper him on the way.
No matter what happened, Jim,
I want you to know I appreciate the risk you took for me.
And I wouldn't be surprised
if the paper could spare a little raise for you,
providing you don't pull any more fool stunts.
Golly, thanks, chief, and thanks, Miss Lane.
Oh, it's you.
I'm glad to see you've finally come to your senses
and cut out that crazy publicity gag.
Yeah, some gag!
And where were you during all this, if I may ask?
Me? I went fishing.
Caught a big one too.
[♪♪♪]