NARRATOR:

Faster than a speeding bullet!

SFX:

GUNSHOT, WITH RICOCHET

NARRATOR:

More powerful than a locomotive!

SFX:

TRAIN WHISTLE BLOWS, LOCOMOTIVE RUMBLES

NARRATOR:

Able to leap tall buildings at a single bound!

SFX:

LOUD RUSH OF AIR ... CONTINUES IN BG

NARRATOR:

Look! Up in the sky! It's a bird!

VOICE:

It's a plane!

NARRATOR:

It's Superman!

SFX:

LOUD RUSH OF AIR ... UP AND OUT

MFX:

SAMMY TIMBERG'S "SUPERMAN" THEME ... ORGAN ... THEN IN BG

NARRATOR:

Yes, it's Superman, strange visitor from the planet Krypton, who came to Earth with amazing physical powers far beyond those of mortal men. And who, disguised as Clark Kent, mild-mannered reporter for a great metropolitan newspaper, wages a never-ending battle for truth and justice.

MFX:

THEME UP, THEN IN BG

NARRATOR:

Today, as Superman enters a small dressing room in the Metropolis Auditorium where he had left Batman and Robin, he meets with a stunning shock!

MFX:

DRAMATICALLY OUT

KENT:

Great Scott! That's Robin on the floor.

SFX:

FOOTSTEPS

KENT:

Robin? Robin, what happened? (NO ANSWER) Uh oh, he's unconscious. I'd better get him to a doctor, and fast! (PICKS UP ROBIN, WITH EFFORT) Up with him. There we are. Now--

SUPERMAN:

UP, AND AWAY!

SFX:

LOUD RUSH OF AIR

MFX:

STING AND CURTAIN

ANNOUNCER:

All right, gang! Get set now for more Superman contest winners! You may be among these, so listen carefully! (PROCEEDS TO READ THE NAMES AND HOME TOWNS OF A LONG LIST OF CONTEST WINNERS FROM ALL OVER THE UNITED STATES -- FOR OVER A MINUTE AND A HALF!) That's all for now! More, later in the program, so keep listening!

MFX:

THEME ... THEN IN BG

NARRATOR:

And now -- The Adventures of Superman! ... After telling Robin, his young companion, that he might never see him again, the famous Batman disappeared. Then, twelve days later, while Robin and Superman hunted desperately for him, Batman apparently reappeared without notifying his friends, and delivered a rabble-rousing, un-American speech in Metropolis Auditorium.

Unable to believe their ears, Superman and Robin in their guises of Clark Kent and Dick Grayson respectively, hurried to Batman's dressing room after the speech. But, when they were given a cold reception, Robin asked Kent to leave, then appealed to Batman to explain his amazing behavior. To his utter bewilderment, the man he considered his dearest friend, turned on him viciously, and when Kent returned a short time later, he found Batman gone and Dick lying on the floor unconscious.

As Superman, Kent rushed Dick to the office of a nearby doctor, where the boy was treated for a scalp wound. Now, a little while later, Robin is again alone with Kent, heartbroken and close to tears.

MFX:

DRAMATICALLY OUT

ROBIN:

He hit me, Mr. Kent. Batman hit me. He - he called me a brat and then he slugged me. He - he never did anything like that before, never!

KENT:

I know, Dick.

ROBIN:

He never even lost his temper with me before. I - I can't understand it, Mr. Kent, I just can't understand it!

KENT:

I can't understand that any more than I can understand Batman's making that rabble-rousing, un-American speech at the auditorium. Why, if I hadn't heard him myself, I never would have believed it!

ROBIN:

Look, Mr. Kent. Do you suppose that fellow Jones, the man we heard on the recording with Batman, do you think he's making him act this way?

KENT:

Could be, Dick, could be. But the Batman I knew would have knocked Jones down, regardless of what it meant to him, before he would make such a selfish, bigoted, un-American speech!

ROBIN:

Yeah, I guess he would. Then why is he acting this way?

KENT:

Well, offhand, I can think of only two reasons, Dick.

ROBIN:

Such as?

KENT:

First, it's just possible that Batman doesn't know what he's doing because he's sick. Mentally sick as a result of something fed or injected into him by the mysterious Mr. Jones.

ROBIN:

But he didn't seem sick. His eyes were clear and his voice, his movements, they were just the same as always.

KENT:

Yes, but his thoughts and his actions were entirely different from what they always were. No, Dick, I still say Batman is either sick, or else ...

ROBIN:

Or else what?

KENT:

Well, it's something I'd rather not talk about yet. It - it seems too utterly fantastic.

ROBIN:

Oh, come on, Mr. Kent. Tell me, please!

KENT:

No, I'd rather check my theory, first. Look, uh, Batman said he had another speaking engagement tonight in Willow Falls, didn't he?

ROBIN:

Uh huh.

KENT:

All right, I'm going up to Willow Falls and, before this night is over, I'm going to find out if Batman is sick, or-- Well, the other thing.

ROBIN:

Swell. I'll go with you.

KENT:

No, no, Dick, you're still a little groggy.

ROBIN:

Oh, no, no, I'm okay now, honest. I want to go, Mr. Kent.

KENT:

I'd rather you didn't, Dick. I want to talk to Batman alone.

ROBIN:

Oh. (RELUCTANT) Well. Okay.

KENT:

Good fella. Now, get your coat on. I'll take you over to Jim Olsen's house.

ROBIN:

Jim Olsen's?

KENT:

Mm hm.

ROBIN:

What for?

KENT:

Because if my second theory is right, you may be in danger! So I'd rather you were someplace else than your home until I get back.

ROBIN:

Oh, don't worry about me. I can take care of myself.

KENT:

(RELUCTANT) Well--

ROBIN:

Besides, until I know what gives with Batman, I want to be at home, in case he calls and needs me.

KENT:

Well, if that's the way you want it, all right, Dick. I'll run you home. Then I'll hop up to Willow Falls and have it out with Batman. Come on, let's go!

MFX:

BRIDGE ... THEN IN BG

NARRATOR:

After seeing Robin safely to his home, Clark Kent secretly resumes his true identity. Then, as Superman, he streaks thirty miles north to the bustling town of Willow Falls.

SFX:

LOUD RUSH OF AIR

NARRATOR:

There, after again assuming his disguise of mild-mannered, bespectacled Clark Kent, he approaches the Willow Falls opera house. Crowds are filing into the building, outside of which is a life-sized lithograph of Batman in costume -- and a huge sign which reads: "Batman speaks here tonight." Making his way to the stage entrance, Kent speaks with the doorman.

MFX:

GENTLY OUT

KENT:

My name is Clark Kent. I'm a reporter for the Metropolis Daily Planet. I'd like to interview Batman.

DOORMAN:

Oh. He ain't here yet.

KENT:

Are you sure? It's eight forty-five and I noticed he's scheduled to speak at nine o'clock.

DOORMAN:

I know, but he phoned in a little while ago to say he'd be late.

KENT:

He did, eh?

DOORMAN:

Yeah. He's driving up from Metropolis, but he said he had some trouble with his car. Expects to be here 'bout nine-thirty, thereabouts.

KENT:

I see. Do you mind if I come in and wait for him?

DOORMAN:

No, I don't mind. Come on in.

KENT:

Thanks.

MFX:

BRIEF BRIDGE ... THEN IN BG

NARRATOR:

As Kent enters the opera house in Willow Falls to wait for Batman, Robin, in his house in Metropolis, tries to concentrate on a book -- but, restless and worried, he soon tosses it away and turns on the radio. A moment later, he snaps that off and takes to pacing the floor. Then, when the phone rings, he fairly leaps across the room to answer it.

MFX:

GENTLY OUT

SFX:

PHONE RINGS, RECEIVER UP ... BATMAN'S VOICE ON FILTER

ROBIN:

(EAGERLY) Hello?!

BATMAN:

That you, Robin?

ROBIN:

Yes. Batman?!

BATMAN:

Check. Listen, chum--

ROBIN:

Where are ya, Batman? What's happened to ya? I'm so worried, I'm goin' nuts!

BATMAN:

Take it easy, Robin. I can explain everything.

ROBIN:

Well, start explaining. Mr. Kent thinks you're sick in the head but I know it can't be that.

BATMAN:

(CHUCKLES) Kent thinks I'm sick, huh?

ROBIN:

Yeah, he went up to Willow Falls to see ya. Is that where ya are now?

BATMAN:

No, I'm in Metropolis.

ROBIN:

You are?! Well, come on home right now and we can get this all straightened out.

BATMAN:

I can't come home now, Robin.

ROBIN:

Why not?

BATMAN:

Because I'm on a big job. But, big!

ROBIN:

Job? For the police department?

BATMAN:

Bigger than that.

ROBIN:

The government?

BATMAN:

I - I can't tell you any more over the phone.

ROBIN:

Listen, can't you use a hand on this job? Can't I help?

BATMAN:

Yes. That's the reason I called you. I need ya, chum.

ROBIN:

(LAUGHS) Now you're talkin' our language! Just say where and when, Pappy.

BATMAN:

Do you know where the old River Hotel is?

ROBIN:

The River Hotel? It seems to me I remember it. Uh, an old dump down on the waterfront?

BATMAN:

That's it. I'm there now. Room Three Fourteen.

ROBIN:

Three Fourteen.

BATMAN:

Check. Now get this.

ROBIN:

I'm listening.

BATMAN:

Keep this strictly on the QT. Don't tell Kent, or even Alfred, that I called, or where you're going. Understand?

ROBIN:

I'll make like a clam, Pappy.

BATMAN:

Good. Get on your horse then, Robin. And get set for a big surprise. Now, hurry.

MFX:

STING ... THEN IN BG

NARRATOR:

What is the big surprise that has just been promised the now-happy Robin? WE'LL BE BACK IN A MOMENT TO FIND OUT! SO KEEP LISTENING!

MFX:

UP AND OUT

ANNOUNCER:

Stand by now for more contest winners! Here they are! (PROCEEDS TO RAPIDLY READ THE NAMES AND HOME TOWNS OF A LONG LIST OF CONTEST WINNERS FROM ALL OVER THE UNITED STATES -- FOR OVER A MINUTE AND A HALF!) That's all we have time for today, gang! If you weren't among these, you may be on Monday's lists, so don't fail to listen!

MFX:

THEME ... THEN IN BG

NARRATOR:

And now, back to The Adventures of Superman! ... Dressed as Dick Grayson, Robin has just arrived at the River Hotel -- an ancient, decaying, evil-smelling structure, situated in an area on the waterfront where many of the shady element of the city congregate.

In the small, paint-peeled lobby, furnished with a few sagging horsehair chairs, two furtive-eyed men glance sharply at Robin, then quickly look away. And the sleepy, bleary-eyed clerk at the switchboard seems to take no notice of the youngster as he walks swiftly to the rickety, uncarpeted stairs and takes them two at a time.

On the third and top floor, where a single, small electric bulb only seems to make the shadows deeper, Robin reads the numbers with difficulty on the cheap, scarred doors. Finally, he finds Room Three Fourteen, the number Batman had given him, at the end of the hall. He stops, and knocks on the door.

MFX:

GENTLY OUT

SFX:

KNOCK ON DOOR

HEAVYSET:

(OFF) Come in!

SFX:

DOOR OPENS

ROBIN:

Hiya, Batma--! What the--?!

MFX:

STING ... THEN IN BG

NARRATOR:

Stepping into the room, Robin stops short as he sees a bald, heavyset, unshaven man sitting in a chair facing the door. In his hand, the man holds a revolver which he points at Robin. Another man, very tall and thin in shirt sleeves, lounges alongside the door. There is no one else in the room. Then, as Robin starts to step backward, the heavyset man in the chair calls out:

MFX:

DRAMATICALLY OUT

HEAVYSET:

Stay right where you are, sonny boy. Close the door, Lou.

SFX:

DOOR CLOSES SHARPLY

ROBIN:

What's the idea? Where's Batman?

HEAVYSET:

(NASTY CHUCKLE) You wanna know where Batman is, huh?

ROBIN:

Yeah. What's so funny? Where is he? What goes on here?

HEAVYSET:

You'll find out, sonny boy. You'll find out. But you ain't gonna like it! (NASTY CHUCKLE) No, you ain't gonna like it at all!

MFX:

STING ... THEN IN BG

NARRATOR:

What does this mean? Was Robin deliberately led into an ambush by Batman? It hardly seems possible, but then, other things Batman has done since his strange reappearance have hardly seemed possible, too. What will happen now to Robin as Superman, thirty miles away in Willow Falls, is unaware of this latest, and serious, development?! There's more excitement and baffling mystery in Monday's thrilling episode, gang, much more! So be sure to listen! Don't fail to tune in again Monday -- same time, same station -- for Chapter Five of "Batman's Great Mystery" on -- The Adventures of Superman!

MFX:

THEME ... THEN IN BG

ANNOUNCER:

Superman is a copyrighted feature, appearing in Superman-DC Comics Magazine, and is brought to you Monday through Friday at this same time.

MFX:

TO A FINISH

ANNOUNCER:

This program came from New York. Stay tuned to your Mutual station for "Captain Midnight," which follows in just a moment. And right after "Captain Midnight," you will hear "Tom Mix and His Ralston Straight Shooters." This is the world's largest network, serving more than four hundred fifty radio stations, the Mutual Broadcasting System.