- As a massive crime wave unfolds, Superman vows to put top mobsters behind bars. His ultimate target is the mysterious "No. 1 man." The top criminal devises a trap for the Man of Steel.
- Over scenes of crime and response to crime, a narrator (Bill Kennedy) tells of gang war and protection racket attacks in Metropolis. We learn that Perry White was a former mayor of Metropolis, and as editor of the Planet is now a leader in the fight against the criminals. At a press event, he introduces Inspector Henderson, attorney Walter Canby (John Eldredge), head of the new Committee for Clean Government, and Superman. The Man of Steel declares war on racketeers, which he begins by announcing a list of the 12 top public enemies in Metropolis. Soon, men like Phil "Shortcake" Mitchell and Mike "The Crusher" Dana are off the streets, leaving only the top three, of whom the top man is unidentified.
Public enemies #3 Nick Marone (Philip Van Zandt) and #2 Big Ed Bullock (Al Eben) are consulting with their superior, whose face remains unseen. (Contributor's note: My brother's name is Ed Bullock, making this episode a boyhood favorite.) The boss tells them that their response to the arrests will be "everything goes - pour it on". Soon the papers have headlines about mobsters defying the police, but it isn't long before Marone and Bullock are brought in for questioning. Despite getting the Third Degree from Henderson, they won't talk, and are bailed out. Superman meets with the other anti-crime leaders to discuss how to continue the hunt for #1. Henderson insists there is such a person, despite Canby's disbelief.
Meanwhile, Nick and Big Ed complain to their boss about the heat they're getting. He tells them not to worry, as they're going to kill Superman. He sends Sally (Barbra Fuller) to snoop around the Planet to learn who is close to Superman. She returns with film footage of Jimmy, Lois, Perry, and Henderson, but the highlight is of Clark running into an alley and Superman emerging. This excites them, but apparently just because they've concluded that Clark Kent can contact Superman. There's never the slightest indication that they've learned his secret identity. On the boss's orders, Sally calls Clark at the Planet, where he's arguing against the others' growing conversion to Canby's disbelief in the mystery boss. Sally tells Clark that if Superman comes to Dover's Cliff near Willow Falls at 11 PM, #1 will give himself up. Clark rushes out, telling Perry to hold the presses for the big story he'll soon have.
In a mansion atop the cliff, Nick and Big Ed play cards as they await Superman's arrival. A crooked "professor" (Joseph Mell) has built a room-sized death trap for Superman. He arrives at 11, and the mobsters have no difficulty luring him into the trap. Once he's in, the Professor presses controls that close the doors on each end of the room. Superman pushes on the doors but fails to open them. The Professor operates more controls, and bolts of energy begin to assail the Man of Steel, sending him reeling. As the crooks watch, Superman writhes horribly, then collapses. The Professor turns of the machinery, enters, checks the body, and pronounces Superman dead. He tells the others to call the boss. Back at the Planet, Perry finally gives up holding the bulldog edition. It's the first time Clark has let him down.
Back at the mansion, the big boss has arrives, and for the first time we see clearly that it's Walter Canby. He has little time to gloat before Superman gets up and decks the henchmen. Canby is furious at how easily they were fooled. Superman says "I'm amazed that any of you thought that display of fireworks bothered me." He demonstrates the ineffectiveness of the trap by easily smashing through a door. The crooks resort to shooting and running, to no avail. In Perry's office, he, Lois, and Jimmy are about to go home when Superman flies in with Clark's big story in the flesh. They can now print the story that Canby wanted all along: there is no #1 crime boss in Metropolis - any more.
Contribute to this page
Suggest an edit or add missing content