ANNOUNCER:

Kellogg's Pep, the super-delicious cereal, presents--

NARRATOR:

"The Adventures of Superman"!

ANNOUNCER:

Faster than a speeding bullet!

SOUND:

GUNSHOT, WITH RICOCHET

ANNOUNCER:

More powerful than a locomotive!

SOUND:

TRAIN WHISTLE BLOWS, LOCOMOTIVE RUMBLES

ANNOUNCER:

Able to leap tall buildings at a single bound!

SOUND:

LOUD RUSH OF AIR ... CONTINUES IN BG

NARRATOR:

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

ANNOUNCER:

It's a plane!

NARRATOR:

It's Superman!

SOUND:

LOUD RUSH OF AIR ... UP AND OUT

NARRATOR:

(INTENSE) Yes, it's Superman! And today, the Man of Steel tells a story -- a wondrous story of the planet Krypton, and how he, Superman, came to Earth! (MORE PLEASANTLY) But, before he begins, let's hear from our good friend, Dan McCullough.

ANNOUNCER:

It's Tuesday again, Pep Gang, and here I am with swell news for you about a grand offer Kellogg's Pep has for you. Kellogg's Pep has had made, especially for you, a wonderful, new, real sundial wristwatch -- and in a minute I'm gonna tell you how you can get yours. It's a beautifully designed instrument, about as big around as the usual wristwatch. It's made of real aluminum, gleaming and bright, with a strap that keeps it flat on your wrist. To use it, ya just lift the shadow hand, or pointer, and aim it due north. The sun's rays will make the shadow of the pointer fall on the dial, showing the hour of the day. It's a grand thing to have, gang, and it's something you can use, whether you and your pals are playing games or if you're out in the country camping. You know, gang, sundials have been in use since the early days of mankind and this new, modern Kellogg's Pep sundial wristwatch will give you plenty of fun.

Now, here's how you can get yours. Just send two box tops marked "TOP" from packages of that super-delicious whole wheat flakes cereal Kellogg's Pep, along with ten cents in cash and your name and address, clearly printed, to "Superman, Box One-Five-Seven, Battle Creek, Michigan." Let me repeat that for you. Just send two box tops marked "TOP" from boxes of super-delicious Kellogg's Pep, along with your name and address, printed clearly, and ten cents in cash, to "Superman, Box One-Five-Seven, Battle Creek, Michigan." It's your chance to get a real sundial wristwatch!

NARRATOR:

And now "The Adventures of Superman"! Almost a year ago, as some of you will remember, a flaming meteor fell out of the sky and landed in an open field in a suburb of Metropolis. Brought to the Metropolis Museum by Dr. John Whistler, a famous meteorologist, it was discovered to be a piece of kryptonite, a fragment of the shattered planet Krypton. Sent to interview Dr. Whistler at the museum, Clark Kent -- in reality, Superman -- discovered to his horror that if he approached within a distance of ten feet of the strange, green, glowing meteor, he lost all his strength! Panic-stricken, he influenced Whistler to seal the meteor in a private vault. But now the meteorologist is dead -- and Kent is fearful lest the vault be opened and the dangerous piece of kryptonite fall into strange hands. As we continue now, Lois Lane and editor Perry White are at Kent's apartment where Kent is about to tell them why he seems so worried. Listen.

KENT:

This is a strange story you're about to hear. I just hope I can trust you to let it go no further.

PERRY:

Don't be a fool, Kent. What is it?

KENT:

Well, it concerns Superman.

LOIS:

Superman?!

KENT:

Yes. As you may or may not know, Superman was the only survivor of the planet Krypton when it exploded in space many years ago. He came to Earth as an infant and grew up to discover that he had strange and unusual powers. And he had impenetrable skin and tremendous strength and the ability to withstand fire and flame. He also had the power to leap great distances and to sustain himself in mid-air. Well, perhaps I'd better go back and tell you the whole story, huh?

PERRY:

What story?

KENT:

The story of how Superman came to Earth, Chief.

LOIS:

What?! Why, how do you know that, Clark?

KENT:

Oh. (STAMMERS) I - I'll explain later, Lois. (NARRATES) First, I want to take you on a far journey, millions of miles from the Earth, where, not so many years ago, the planet Krypton burned like a wondrous star in the heavens. Here civilization was far advanced. It had brought forth a race of super men -- men and women like ourselves, but advanced to the absolute peak of human perfection.

LOIS:

Yes?

KENT:

(NARRATES) As we near Krypton, we see high walls and gleaming turrets. We approach the magnificent Temple of Wisdom with its dome of pure crystal shimmering like a diamond in the sun. There, in a great marble hall, Jor-el, Krypton's leading man of science, is about to address a special meeting of the planet's governing council.

SOUND:

COUNCIL MURMURS NOISILY ... THEN QUIETS BEHIND--

JOR-EL:

Council members! I have completed my solar calculations and, much as I dread uttering these fateful words, I have come to the conclusion that Krypton is doomed!

SOUND:

COUNCIL REACTS UNHAPPILY ... GAVEL BANGS ... COUNCIL QUIETS BEHIND--

RO-ZAN:

Gentlemen! Gentlemen! Gentlemen, hear him out!

JOR-EL:

Let me try and explain, gentlemen. The sun is gradually drawing Krypton closer to it. Within a month -- possibly only a week -- the gravitational pull will be so tremendous that Krypton will not be able to weather the strain. And then-- Then our planet will explode like a giant bubble, destroying every living thing on it!

SOUND:

COUNCIL REACTS SCORNFULLY ... GAVEL BANGS ... COUNCIL QUIETS BEHIND--

RO-ZAN:

Gentlemen! Gentlemen! (TO JOR-EL) Assuming for the moment, Jor-el, that what you say is true, how are we to avoid this catastrophe facing us? How can we stop it?

JOR-EL:

It cannot be stopped, Ro-zan. It's a force of nature that even we, who are supermen, are powerless to prevent. But there is one way to escape.

RO-ZAN:

Escape? What do you mean?

JOR-EL:

As you know, I've been working these many months on a model of a spaceship which, in its final form, is designed to carry the entire population of Krypton to another planet. If you will assign to me a thousand skilled workers, I will endeavor to construct this spaceship before the end comes.

RO-ZAN:

It is all well and good, Jor-el, to speak of spaceships, but where would we go?

JOR-EL:

To the planet Earth. My studies tell me this planet has an atmosphere almost identical with our own.

RO-ZAN:

Jor-el, you've been working too hard. You need a rest. Believe me, we have the utmost respect for your knowledge and integrity, but this is too much. Planets as large as Krypton do not explode.

SOUND:

OMINOUS RUMBLING

JOR-EL:

Wait! Wait, do you hear that, gentlemen?

RO-ZAN:

I hear only a distant thunder.

JOR-EL:

It is not thunder, Ro-zan! That's an internal eruption gas, exploding in giant pockets! You're listening to the forewarning of doom! Quakes like that are sounding the death knell of Krypton! It will happen, gentlemen, and happen soon! And when the last great eruption comes--!

RO-ZAN:

When it comes, Jor-el, we will all be ready for it. If Krypton is to perish, we will perish with it. (LIGHTLY) But I assure you, Jor-el, your beard will be long enough to trip over before that time arrives.

SOUND:

COUNCIL LAUGHS AND MURMURS AGREEMENT

JOR-EL:

Very well. Laugh if you wish, Ro-zan. Laugh, all of you! But a time will come and that time is perhaps very close at hand when you'll wish you had heeded the words of Jor-el!

SOUND:

COUNCIL REACTS JEERINGLY ... GAVEL BANGS ... COUNCIL QUIETS BEHIND--

RO-ZAN:

Order, gentlemen! Order! Members of the governing council, you have heard Jor-el speak. Is it your wish that we devote time and energy to build a spaceship in order, as Jor-el suggests, the entire population of Krypton be transported to the planet known as the Earth?

SOUND:

COUNCIL HOLLERS A HEARTY "NO!"

RO-ZAN:

All in favor, say "Aye." (NO RESPONSE) The council has spoken, Jor-el.

JOR-EL:

Yes. And signed the death warrant of every living thing on Krypton. There remains only one thing for me to do. Prepare for the salvation of my wife Lara, my infant son, and myself. As for the rest of you, may God have mercy on your souls.

SOUND:

OMINOUS RUMBLE, LIKE A THUNDERCLAP, FOR PUNCTUATION ... HAMMERING NOISES START AT "FEVERISHLY" BELOW

KENT:

(NARRATES) With the mocking laughter of the council members ringing in his ears, Jor-el hurried to the terrace of his hilltop home and feverishly set to work on the scale model of his spaceship. Time was short, as he alone knew -- a matter of days, possibly only hours.

SOUND:

HAMMERING NOISES OUT BEHIND--

KENT:

(NARRATES) Driving home the last rivet, he stepped back to examine the bullet-shaped spaceship, only to discover his young wife standing behind him.

JOR-EL:

Oh, Lara, I - I didn't hear you come out.

LARA:

You were too intent on your work. What did the council say, Jor-el?

JOR-EL:

They laughed at me, Lara. Mocked me for a fool.

LARA:

Even Ro-zan?

JOR-EL:

Oh, he above all. But no matter. The model is finished now and tomorrow at dawn, I'll send it on its way, watching its flight through the high-powered telescope on the observatory roof. And once I have proven to myself that it works, I will begin building a spaceship large enough to carry all three of us to the planet Earth.

LARA:

Jor-el, I feel faint. It seems to have grown oppressively hot. Is that because we're being drawn closer to the sun?

JOR-EL:

(UNEASY) Yes. There's a strange glow on the western sky. I - I don't like it. Where is Kal-el?

LARA:

Asleep. I had quite a time with him. He was restless all day.

SOUND:

EXPLOSION!

LARA:

(ALARMED) Jor-el, what was that?

JOR-EL:

An internal quake. A bad one.

SOUND:

RUMBLE!

LARA:

Jor-el! The house is shaking!

JOR-EL:

Easy, Lara, easy.

LARA:

What's happening?

JOR-EL:

It may pass over. You'd better go in.

LARA:

No. No, my place is with you. Jor-el, look! The sky -- it's darkening!

SOUND:

THUNDER!

JOR-EL:

Lara, this is the end! Krypton is breaking apart!

LARA:

(TERRIFIED) Jor-el! Jor-el!

SOUND:

SCENE FADES OUT

NARRATOR:

(GRIM) We'll return in a moment to find out what happened on the planet Krypton! (MORE PLEASANTLY) But first, here again is your announcer.

ANNOUNCER:

Well, here I am back again, Pep Gang, to tell you all about the wonderful offer Kellogg's Pep has for you -- in case you missed this big news before. Yesirree, gang, Kellogg's Pep has really outdone itself this time. It's offering you the smartest-looking all-aluminum sundial wristwatch you ever saw -- with a real strap. Now, wherever you are in the sun, this terrific time-teller will give you the hour of the day. In a minute, I'm gonna tell you how you can get this one, but let me tell you all about it first.

This sundial wristwatch lies flat on your wrist until you're ready to use it. Then, ya just lift the shadow hand, or pointer, and aim it due north. And presto! You have the time of day just by seeing where the pointer's shadow falls on the dial. Why, could anything be easier? And this handsome sundial wristwatch is about the size of the usual wristwatch. You know, Pep Gang, there's quite a history to sundials in years gone by. That's why it'll be such a thrill to actually own one of these new streamlined sundial wristwatches yourself. You can have grand fun with it, with the gang playing all sorts of detective games, or out on Scout patrol.

Now, here's how you get one. Just send two box tops marked "TOP" from two packages of that super-delicious whole wheat flakes cereal Kellogg's Pep, along with ten cents in cash and your name and address, clearly printed, to "Superman, Box One-Five-Seven, Battle Creek, Michigan." I'll repeat that. Send two box tops marked "TOP" from packages of Kellogg's Pep, along with ten cents in cash, and your name and address, clearly printed, to "Superman, Box One-Five-Seven, Battle Creek, Michigan." Be the first around your part of town to own this real sundial wristwatch!

NARRATOR:

And now back to "The Adventures of Superman"! In his guise of Clark Kent, Superman is telling Lois Lane and Perry White of the last minutes on the doomed planet Krypton -- how his father Jor-el had just completed an experimental model of a spaceship when a strange blood-red glow appeared in the sky and a series of thunderous crashes and deep rumbles, increasing in intensity, shook the ground under the feet of Jor-el and Lara, his young wife.

SOUND:

OMINOUS CRASHES AND RUMBLES DURING ABOVE AND CONTINUING DURING FOLLOWING--

JOR-EL:

Lara, this is the end! Krypton is breaking apart!

LARA:

What can we do, Jor-el?

JOR-EL:

Oh, nothing. I was a fool for waiting this long.

LARA:

Oh, it wasn't your fault, Jor-el. The council--

JOR-EL:

I should have built a spaceship months ago and now we have only a model. Oh, but, wait. It can carry one of us to safety! You, Lara.

LARA:

No. No, if only one of us can be saved, it should be our son. (MOVING OFF) You wait here; I'll get him!

JOR-EL:

(CALLS AFTER HER) Lara! Lara! (TO HIMSELF) Well, perhaps she's right. It should be the boy. Oh, now if I can only get this atomic generator working, build up enough pressure; I hope there's time.

SOUND:

ATOMIC GENERATOR WHIRRS

JOR-EL:

There.

LARA:

(APPROACHES) Jor-el?

JOR-EL:

Yes?

LARA:

Here he is. Still fast asleep.

JOR-EL:

Here, I'll open the door.

SOUND:

METAL DOOR OPENS

JOR-EL:

Now put him inside -- gently.

LARA:

Jor-el, are you sure--?

JOR-EL:

Hurry. Hurry, Lara.

LARA:

He's in, Jor-el.

JOR-EL:

Thank goodness.

SOUND:

METAL DOOR CLOSES

JOR-EL:

Now - now stand back, Lara. Pressure's building up.

LARA:

How long will it take?

JOR-EL:

Oh, I don't know.

LARA:

Look! The Temple of Wisdom's on fire! All the towers are crumbling!

JOR-EL:

Here, come close to me, Lara. The end is not far off. The mountains are breaking up!

SOUND:

CRASH! OF MOUNTAINS BREAKING UP

LARA:

Jor-el, the pressure! What's happening?!

JOR-EL:

It's building up -- slowly! Perhaps we're too late. If it doesn't happen soon--

SOUND:

ROCKET LIFTS OFF

JOR-EL:

Lara! It's gone! Our son -- our son is on his way to Earth!

SOUND:

FOR THE END OF THE WORLD ... CONTINUES BEHIND--

LARA:

(THROUGH THE NOISE) Kal-el! Kal-el!

SOUND:

FOR A ROCKET HURTLING THROUGH SPACE ... OUT BEHIND--

KENT:

(NARRATES) Streaming through space, the tiny steel rocket headed toward Earth, leaving the glowing fragments of the exploding planet Krypton behind it.

LOIS:

(WHISPERS) Good heavens, Clark.

PERRY:

Go on, Kent. That baby in the rocket. It was Superman, wasn't it?

KENT:

Yes, Chief. That is, he grew up to be the person we know as Superman. And now I'm going to tell you and Lois what happened to him -- and why I need your help so desperately. You see, Jor-el had set the directional finders in the tiny rocketship bearing his infant son toward this planet, Earth-- (FADES A LITTLE, CONTINUES IN BG)

NARRATOR:

A strange expression on his face, Clark Kent begins to tell Perry White and Lois Lane what happened to himself. What is the rest of the fabulous saga of Superman? And is Kent, now in such grave danger, actually going to reveal at last that he is Superman? DON'T MISS TOMORROW'S EXCITING EPISODE, FELLOWS AND GIRLS! Tune in, same time, same station, and listen to -- "The Adventures of Superman"!

ANNOUNCER:

Faster than a speeding bullet!

SOUND:

GUNSHOT, WITH RICOCHET

ANNOUNCER:

More powerful than a locomotive!

SOUND:

TRAIN WHISTLE BLOWS, LOCOMOTIVE RUMBLES

ANNOUNCER:

Able to leap tall buildings at a single bound!

SOUND:

LOUD RUSH OF AIR ... CONTINUES IN BG

NARRATOR:

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

ANNOUNCER:

It's a plane!

NARRATOR:

It's Superman!

SOUND:

LOUD RUSH OF AIR ... UP AND OUT BEHIND--

ANNOUNCER:

Fellows and girls, be sure to follow "The Adventures of Superman," brought to you every day, Monday through Friday, same time, same station, by the makers of that super-delicious cereal, Kellogg's Pep! And, for other thrilling adventures of Superman, see your local newspaper. Superman is also a copyrighted feature, appearing in Superman-DC publications.

SOUND:

RUSH OF AIR ... OUT WITH--

ANNOUNCER:

This is the Mutual Broadcasting System.