Superman - Mystery Of The Little Men

0:00Faster than a speeding board. More powerful than a locomotive. It is only coal building for a single pound. Up on the sky. It's a bird. It's a plane. It's Superman. The adventure ourselves is Superman. When the planet crypt on home of a race of Superman exploded into dust, the soul survived with an infant boy who had been shot to earth in a sea rocket. Today that boy grown to manhood is known as Superman's sworn enemy of the forces of evil. To aid him in his never-ending fight for truth and justice, he masquerades as Clark Kent. Crime reporter for a great metropolitan newspaper. His secret is carefully guarded. No one is aware that Kent is Superman. But you. Go in with us now on ABC as Superman matches wit and strength with a strange and baffling pole.

1:03In an exciting transcribed adventure entitled The Mystery of the Little Men. Superman. It is long after midnight. The lowest flame star girl reported for the metropolis daily planet. It is sleep in the bedroom of her 12th floor apartment. All is silent. Save for the faint taking of a crock on the night table beside her bed. Then suddenly without warning, the dark silence is broken by the eerie high-pitched tickle of strange laughter. Awakened, lowest hits bolt up right in bed. Who's there? The only answer is the shrill spine-filling laughter. Leaching out blindly in the darkness, lowest switches on the bed lamp. A frightened eye swoop the room in the horror-stricken scream, wells up in her throat. But panic tightens her vocal cords.

2:03It makes it soundless. Somehow her hand groaks for and finds the telephone. Automatically she lifts the receiver and dials a number. Hello? Clark, this is lowered. Oh? Oh, it's laid. What happened to your boy? Clark, can you come right over? Over what? What in my apartment? Where do you think? How much do you ask in term-lable questions? Isn't it enough that I caught you in midnight with us? It's easier, all excited. Of course I'm excited. I'm private. I'm petrified. What happened, Laura? Nothing's happened yet. But there are... Breathe. Ugly little men. They're hitting on my window, Phil. Walking at me. I'm scared. I'm scared. I'm scared. I'm scared. I'm scared. I'm scared. I'm scared. I'm scared. I'm scared. I'm scared. I'm scared. I'm scared. Please, Clark. Believe me. I wasn't dreaming. I saw them and I heard them.

3:03You sure? I'm positive. They were there on that window, Phil. Three of them? Yes. All dressed like an in high-hat striped trousers and... and soft coat. And they cared the little umbrella. What the umbrella? Now, how should I know? How tall did you say they were? About 12 inches in their faces were just idiots. They were all shriveled up like old men. What did you have for dinner tonight, Lawis? I had some luck. Are you trying to be funny? No, no, not at all. I've just tried the last time. It wasn't a dream, it wasn't a nightmare. Okay, okay, okay. Is this the window sill where they were? Yes. The window was open from the bottom the way it is now. Yes. How do you think they got up to the 12th floor? There's no fire escape. Be careful, class. Don't lean out so far. I'm okay. Well, there's no sign of them now. I suggest you turn out to light and go to sleep. Oh, you do. Let's find. Then what if they come back? Oh, and I'll lower. Listen to me. I will not listen to you because I know exactly what you're going to say. You think I'm a crazy hysterical female?

4:03Well, I'm only... You think I'd reen this or I'm making it up or... or heaven only knows what? What would you like me to say? Never mind. Thank you for coming over, Mr. Kent. Thank you, and... Good night. Good morning, Mr. Kent. Good morning, baby. I've been waiting for you to come in, Mr. Kent. I want to ask you something. Oh, that's one of my office. Too noisy out here. Is Miss Lane coming yet? I haven't seen her. Oh, good grief. It's hot in here. Open the window. Open the window. Will you be in here? Sure, right away. Well, that's how people catch cold sitting in hot stuffy rooms. Oh, that's better. That's better. Thanks, baby. Now, what's up with your mind? Mr. Kent. Do you know anything about dreams?

5:03Dreams? Not much, I'm afraid. I know they're supposed to mean something. Guy, I'll read that someplace. You worried about a dream being? Well, kind of. If you dreamed Mr. White fired you, forget it. He fires all of us twice a week, regular. No, no, it was nothing like that. Well, it was it. Well, it's kind of hard to explain. But I dreamed I was asleep, and then I woke up. Yes. And I saw something. Something awful strange. What, beanie? There are three little men standing on my window sill. Hey, that again. I saw three little men standing on my window sill. Was this last night, beanie? Yeah. Were they dressed in high hats, striped trousers, and fraught coats? And did they carry little umbrellas? Yeah, but how'd you know? Did they last? Yeah, kind of. What do you want? Donnie, Mr. Kent. Beanie, listen to me. I don't want you to breathe a word about this to anyone. Do you understand? Yeah, sure. Oh, word, beanie. Yes, Chief?

6:03Come in around the tent. Okay. I've got to go in to see Mr. White. Now, beanie. Talk to you later. In the meantime, remember, not a word. Okay, Mr. Kent. You heard me call the travel agency and check on those food tickets. On occasion, they don't care if you call the dozen times call again. Of all the stupid numbs called individuals. That girl takes the case. But I call three times, Mr. White. Three Jesus ghosts, you think the travel agency was doing us a favor. Are you planning a trip? I don't know what I'm planning. Kent, I don't know whether I'm coming or going. Before very long, I'll be sitting in a booby-hats cutting up paper dolls. Now what happens? Everything. Everything I've got to get away. Good idea. I'm tired. I'm worn out every nerve in my body is frazzled. What I need is a good long sea voyage with no presses, no typewriters, no telephones, and no people. Sure, sure. If I could arrange it, I'd charter the Queen Mary and sail to Europe all by myself. Anything special bring this on, Chief? No, nothing special.

7:03It's just everything. The publisher's screaming for more circulation. The advertiser's screaming for reduced pays, raised the unions, screaming for higher wages. And then last night. Last night was the pay. What happened? You'll believe this, Kent. But last night, I took the first drink of whiskey I've had in five years. Ever since Doc Summers told me to lay off. I came home from the office, feeling like a wet dish rag and took a drink. Just one. And do you know what that one drink did to me? What? It gave me the heavy jeepies. Really? I took that one drink, had my dinner, and then went up to my room, figuring I'd read a little and then get a good night's sleep. And do you know what happened when I walked into my room? No. What? I only had one small drink, so I couldn't have been drunk. No, of course. And in fact, I kind of debated with myself about taking another one. Well, anyway, take my word for it. I was cold sober. At least I thought I was till I walked into that room. Well, he still haven't told me what happened. Oh, haven't I? No. Maybe I ought to see a tight car just instead of taking a trip.

8:03Who knows? What happened, chief? That one drink gave me the heavy jeepies. That's what? How? How? Listen to this. I walked into the room, turned on the light, and do you know what I saw? What? Three little old men standing on my windowsill. But don't look at me like that kid. I'm not crazy. I know I didn't actually see them. Oh, but you did. Huh? You did see them. They were about 12 inches tall, and they were dressed in top hats, striped trousers, and brought coats. Preachies are gone. And they laughed at you. Shrill high-pitched laughter. Oh, can't please. Don't do things like that to me. I've got a bad heart. How did you know what I saw? Lowest and beanie saw the little men last night, too. Huh? Now don't lose control. We've got to be sensible about this. Fenceable. Fenceable. How can you be sensible about something that doesn't make sense? Please keep up. Lowest in here. Get beanie in here. Can I want to hear it from their own left, chief? Please, don't get excited. Oh, who's excited? Get them in here, cat. Don't stand there like a dummy.

9:03Get some in here. Where did it go? Oh, it's a good place. Please. I need you. I'll wait a minute. Wait a minute. And if you all talk at once, we're not going to get anywhere. Where do you expect to get? There must be an answer to all this. When did you see the little man, chief? Let's see the clock, maybe it's 30. And you, beanie? Oh, I don't know, Mr. Cat. I thought it was all a dream. So, didn't it, Mr. Cat? Last night. All right, lower. Let's dispense to the sarcasm. You can't remember what time it was, beanie. Well, how can I remember when I didn't even know I was awake? Not asking him questions. I'm going nuts listening to his answers. Oh, God. All right, beanie. All right, skip it. We'll assume the little man is asleep. I'm going to be asleep. I'm going to be asleep. I'm going to be asleep. I'm going to be asleep. I'm going to be asleep. I'm going to be asleep. I'm going nuts listening to his answers. Oh, God. All right, beanie. All right, skip it. We'll assume the little man visited you between eight or eight thirty when the chief saw them and midnight when lower saw them. Well, that's an interesting assumption, Mr. Cat. But it doesn't hold water. Why not? For the simple reason that you're assuming that there are only three little men and that those three made the rounds. But maybe there are nine. Or ninety. Or nine hundred.

10:03Maybe the earth is going to be overrun with them. Okay, well, well, that's nonsense, lower. If there were that many, we would have heard about it by now. Maybe we will. Oh, it's listened. Granted that the little men exist. What do you mean granted? There's no question about it. Okay, there's no question about it. Somewhere in this city, there are at least three ugly little men about twelve inches tall who stand on people's windowsills and laughs. Give me the cold shrivel. The question is, where did they come from? And this is important. Why did they choose to visit you, beanie, and the chief out of seven million people? You tell us. Well, on the face of it, you weren't chosen at random. You all work for the daily planet. Park. So do four hundred other people. I know. Yes. But we were different. Why they visited us. The big question is, who are they? And where did they come from? But they may be mentioned. Twelve inches tall. What about pig me? So I read in a book. When did you ever read a book? Oh, here we go again. Oh gosh. She was. Mr. White was just kidding, beanie, skip it. Now close. What? I don't know what you were going to propose or how you think this thing should be handled. I'll tell you one thing. I, for one, will not spend another night in my apartment

11:04until I'm convinced that those horrible little creatures aren't coming back. Well, I, I rather sleep in the park. Oh, that's ridiculous. It isn't ridiculous. They can't possibly hurt you. I'm not so sure. And pig me, they might not poison the arrow. Will somebody please shut him up before I throttle him? Okay, I will say another word. Put that in writing. I'll give you a five dollar raise. I'll give you a five dollar raise. I'll give you a five dollar raise. Chase, beanie, please. Beanie. Now wait. Listen to me. All of you. Obviously we can't give this thing any publicity until we know more about it. But at the same time, we've got to be in a position to grab these little men if they appear again. Oh, don't look at me. I'm not stabbing anything. Nobody's asking you to lower us. What I'm getting at is that we'll have to post police guards around all of your houses. And in order to do that, I'll have to tell Inspector Henderson what happened. Oh, what? Well, so I may have a hard time getting him to believe it. Whether he believes it or not, if we want police protection, we're going to get it. No, no, chief, please. Don't call him. I'd better go down to headquarters and speak with him personally. Well, go ahead, then.

12:04Don't waste time. I better go with your car. OK. What about me? You stay right here and do some work. What do you think there's a charity institution? Come on, baby. Before you lose your job and your health. Don't take him with you, Lord. I won't. And get back as soon as you can. I want to know what Henderson agrees to do. And he'd better do the right thing or the healthy. Hello. Inspector, Miss Lane and I are here to talk to you about a rather unusual problem. Well, no, Kent. Unless this is important. I mean, very important. I'd rather like to skip it today. Oh. I'm a little under the weather. Yes, you do look like you've got a cold, your eyes are all puffy. Well, no, no, no. It isn't that. I mean, I'm all right. Typically that is. Well, of course, I didn't get much sleep last night. But after all, I've had sleepless nights before. You've had mental problems? No. No, this one's personal. Oh, sorry. I didn't mean that. Well, no, don't get the wrong impression.

13:04No, it's just... Well, I mean, perhaps personal was a bad word for it. Well, I don't have to. Well, what I... What I didn't mean was it... Well, anyway, my wife hasn't left me or anything like that. You don't have to explain or apologize Inspector. Well, hang it all. It's a trouble. I want to tell somebody. I'm kind of afraid. I... Let me look. Let's forget it. Suppose we have your problem. Okay. I'll give it to you as brief as I can. Good. Last night between the hours of eight and twelve, Miss Lane, Terry White and Vini, one of our copyboys, were visited by three little men about 12 inches tall. Wait a minute, Kent. What? Were they dressed in top hats? Spread clouds as a proco? Yes. How did you know? I woke up at two o'clock this morning and they were standing on my windowsill. We'll be back in a moment for part two of the mystery of the little men. But first, here is an important Christmas season message

14:04from the well-known newspaper columnist and radio commentator Drew Pearson. And now, back to the adventures of Superman and part two of the mystery of the little men. When police inspector Henderson announced that he too was visited by the mysterious top-headed little men, Clark Kent and Lois Lane were flabbergasted. Are you sure you saw them in fact? What do you mean am I sure? They were standing on my windowsill. Laughing like maniacs. I flipped out of bed. I went for my gun. But before I could guess what they were gone. And I didn't see people wink the rest of the night. Well, Clark. Well, why? Well, after all, you're very into a carcass. Up to now, it was only daily plan of people who had the honor of being visited by those those hideous little creatures.

15:05Now they've out of the police chief. Where's this going to start? Well, what are they, Kent? They're the little men, that's what they are. The sensible lois. Not all the unmitigated nerve. Are they sensible? Did you see them? No, but I did. And in fact, a innocent did. I know. What if they look like you, Inspector? Little men. Well, why don't you admit it, Clark? Because men don't grow 12 inches tall, that's why. So far as you know, which isn't very good. Well, Clark, excuse me. Yes, sir. Henderson's thinking. They're in Kent's office. They're in Kent's office. Who is it? You fool. The little men are in Kent's office right now. Who is this? Harry, right to it. It's where Kent's. Kent's right here. Harry, there is his office. Okay, we'll be right over. Now, just take it easy. It needs slow and easy. How did you happen to go into my office? Well, I...

16:05I was... I was going to make some letters on your desk. All right, so you opened the door and walked in. That's right. I didn't see nothing at first on the count of... Oh, I guess it wasn't looking. That's logical, please, Chief. Go ahead, beanie. But then all of a sudden, I heard that crazy laugh and then I saw them standing on the windowsill. Remember this morning he asked me to open the window? Uh-huh. Well, that's where they were standing right over there. What did you do? What did he do? He caused a riot. I never heard such streaking in all my poor days. Look at me! What did you want me to do? Did you see them clearly? Sure. What did they look like? Oh, man! Oh, why wasn't I here? Why? How soon after Mr. White called headquarters did they leave? Well, who knows? Instead of closing the window. This young genius here closed the door. Oh, Chief. It's all right, beanie. I wouldn't have gone near the meter. From Henderson? What do you propose to do about it? I don't know, Mr. White. If you don't know who does, we pay taxes to be protected against things like this. Well, the police department doesn't have an appropriation for rounding up little metal.

17:05That's not funny. If you can't handle it, I'll get someone who can. Oh, Chief. All this bickering adds up to nothing. Now that they've tried to pay me a visit, I'm convinced there's a pattern. It can't be accidental. At four of us on the daily planet were chosen. What about the inspection? Well, he's part of the pattern. What pattern? That's the problem. Once we know the pattern, once we know why we of all people were chosen, we're on our way to a solution. And in the meantime, I suppose those creatures are going to be staring the life out of us. Oh, no. You don't have to worry about that. I'll give you all police protection. You won't give me anything. I've been getting on a potent, sailing to Kimbuk, too, before I go crazy. One week at the mechanical monster, the next week at the little man. The week after that, it's heaven only knows what. This isn't a new paper anymore. It's a nut house. All right. I ain't not in to anybody. It may not even be for you. Hello. Hello, is... I can't bear it. I'll get you another piece. Oh, thank you. Hello. Hi, I can't you, Lux. Who's this? Who is it? Who is it?

18:05Hey, you sure if I get your friends fast? Trouble is you hang around with Superman too much. Everybody else is all potatoes. Who is it? Candy Myers, you're... Candy, it's Candy Myers. Candy Myers. Candy, how are you? Wow, man. Oh, we haven't seen a herd of you for a year. Where you been? Oh, shooting around. You got a few minutes to shoot the fat. What do you mean on the phone? Oh, no. I'm just a couple of locks away from here. Oh. All right, if I drop over? Who's your thing? Okay, be saying it. Hey, how about that? Good old cat, Myers. You remember him, Inspector? I remember him. How could I forget him? No way, maybe Candy can help us from this mystery. Oh, maybe you've got something there, Beanie. That's private detective. I can't speak. Talk to him about it. Can't ask, sure, I will. Well, I've got to get back to headquarters. So call me and let me know what you're the time to do. Okay, Inspector. I'll be in my office. You need me, right? When it's time to tell me you're up close. Well, a few minutes. I'll bring them right. I don't want to get there. Thanks, Beanie. Close it all with you. Well, where did Candy say you'd be keeping himself? He didn't say. But you know something, Louis?

19:06What? I think I've got the solution to the mystery of the little mess. Why are you looking younger and prettier than ever, Miss Lane? Oh, now, Candy. You say that to everybody. And today, you haven't aged a day yet. How do you do it? Oh, it's the calm, easy newspaper life, Candy. There is mechanical monsters and little men. Huh? Oh, well, we have a problem, Candy. It's just a little problem. Maybe you can give us a hand. Oh, wait a minute. Did you say something about little men? Oh, yes, Candy. They've been plaguing you. I don't believe it. What do you mean you don't believe it? Let's start from the beginning, Louis. No, wait, wait. This is a little crazy. Huh? You don't know how crazy. No, I mean me walking in here and you telling me about little men. Well, it's one of those mad things. I don't understand, Candy. Well, I got in a town last night. I checked in at the Metropolis Hotel, went down the bar and tossed off a couple of slugs, and then I turned in.

20:07At about 1 a.m., something woke me up. Oh, no, Candy. Yeah. Three little men were standing on my window sill, laughing at me. Oh, please, that car. Inspector Henderson, please. This is Clark Kent. Hold on. Anderson thinking. Clark Kent Inspector. Oh, anything new? Yes. We're all going to meet at Perry White House tonight. Well, what for? Well, we've decided to get all those who've seen the little men together in one location. Can you make it? Uh, what time? Oh, about 9 or 10. Candy Myers is coming along. Internantly, he saw the little men last night, too. He won? Oh, he won. Oh, he won. Oh, he won. Oh, he won. Oh, he won. He won? I'll tell you about it when I see you. Oh, OK. I'll be there. Oh, and Kent. Yes? I better bring along some of the boys with me, don't you think? No, no. Just come along. Well, I don't think it makes sense. It will. I promise you.

21:15Well, this is a great way to spend New Year's Eve. All huddled in a half-dark room waiting for little men to crawl through an open window. I've got to admit, Miss Lane, it's exciting. Not to me, it isn't me. So, uh, Kent, yes, Inspector? Why don't you say Candy Myers was going to be here? He told Lois and me he would be. This is all his idea. He'd better show up. Well, if he... What's that? Oh, relax. Mr. White snoring. Wake him up, Dean. Oh, I know, not me. He'd bite my head off. Chief, wake up. Chief! Where are they? They are here, yet. You fell asleep. You're crazy. Yes. We're going to wake every minute. You know, I like that when you're awake. I'd hate to hear you when you're asleep. What are you laughing at? Oh, ma'am. Yes, you. Chief, keep your voice down. Let's not scare them off. Care what off? Carp with ease, passing men, and I'm becoming more and more convinced that this is just a dopey idea. And I second there. I heard it. I'm going to be... Oh, Chief, no. Something's bound to break soon. The only thing that's going to break around here is dawn, and I'm not waiting for it.

22:15Just a little while longer, please. Carp. Yes? Back me off. If you tell me you thought you knew the solution to the mystery of the little man. I think I do. Well, great. Jesus, don't let's have it. Please. Why are we sitting here like a light mummy? Keep your voice. Hang my voice. If you know what this is all about, and I don't believe you do, let's have it. If you're just the patient, I'm hoping to demonstrate the solution to you. You can demonstrate it to us after you... Hold it quiet. What's up, Kent? They're coming. Hello. Yes. She will quietly. Yeah, you hear that? Yes. Yes. They're laughing. I don't see anything on the windowsill. Wait. The mayor! Prince, please. Let's go. How do you believe that, Clark? Just look at me. Now, I don't have to believe anything. Just hide, everyone. I'll be right back. Wait a minute. Where are you going, Kent? I'll be back in a minute. Clipping out of the half-darkened living room, Clark Kent heads for the front door. Before he opens it, he quickly makes the transformation from a mild-mannered crime reporter

23:15to the brilliantly red and blue costume figure of Superman. Then, opening the door quietly, he steps out into the darkness. In a timeless moment, his keen eyes bought a human figure crouching behind the bush. Near the open window, where the fantastically garb little men are lapping insanely, flexing his powerful muscles. Superman leaps and, like an arrow, shot from a bow, flashes across the lawn and lands on top of the figure. Get out! Hurry, sunny boy! The party's over! The party's over! What's up, buddy? What's up, buddy? What's up, buddy? What's up, buddy? All right, candy. Give out. Candy, I don't believe it. You weren't responsible for all this, why you couldn't have been. Well, I got a confess. It was all my bring-and-idea. Right, right, right! Oh, just a gag. A gag, gag. That's what you call a gag. Or it seemed like a gag at the time, Inspector. What I was trying to do was set up a mystery that none of you could solve in a million years.

24:16But what about the little men? Where are they? And what are they? Oh, they're out there on the lawn somewhere. I'll surround them up. But what are they? Many at your mom is that. A kind of monkey. I brought them back from Brazil. A new horse to be horse-whip for this. Look, I've got a good man to throw you in the can layers. Any other compliment? That's all right, candy. I had his puzzles for a while. It wasn't too bad. Thanks, can't. Now, maybe he'll answer a question for me. Oh, try. How did Superman get in on this? That candy is a mystery you won't be able to solve in a million years. And so ends the mystery of the little men. All the adventures of Superman, which come to you now each week at the same time, over many of these same ABC stations. Listen, Jen, next week,

25:16when Superman tangled with an unseen man in the ghost of Billy Baker. Superman is a copyrighted transcribed feature appearing in Superman DC comic magazines and brings you radio's most fabulous character in thrilling stories of action, mystery, and adventure. Oh, be sure to listen when you hear the familiar cry. Faster than a speeding bullet. Or powerful than a locomotive. It is only called buildings at a single bound. Up on the sky. It's a bird. It's a plane. It's Superman. Superman. The role of Superman is played by Bud Gagher, was played by Joan Alexander. Music is composed and played by John Garth. This is Jackson Beck, reminding you to be sure to listen

26:16next week to the ghost of Billy Baker on the adventure. It's yours, homemade Superman. Music. This is ABC, the American Broadcasting Company.