A great adventure can have many beginnings - - and this one begins in Gotham City, when the famed Batman and Robin corner a wanted bandit-killer.

[Bandit] I'll stop you, Batman, no matter what happens to me.

[Robin] No you won't, Gell!

[Batman] Nice going, Robin - - I can handle him from here!

And the hammering fists of Batman soon end another criminal's career!

[Commissioner Gordon] Gell was the last criminal on our "wanted" list, Batman! Now you and Robin can take a much-deserved rest!

[Batman] Thanks, Commissioner! Come on, Robin - - we'll take this hoodlum in and then go home!

"Home" is the mansion of wealthy playboy Bruce Wayne - - for Bruce and his ward, Dick Grayson, are secretly Batman and Robin!

[Dick] Now's my chance to visit my relatives upstate - - but I hate to leave you alone, Bruce!

[Bruce] That's all right, Dick...I'm going to get a real vacation, on a coastal cruise! I'll just relax and forget crime, for a change!

But another beginning of this strange adventure takes place in Metropolis, where that city's most famous citizen completes a task...

[Superman] This fossil I dug out of the Gobi Desert finally completes the new Hall of Learning! Now to put the roof back on, and I'm through!

[Man in street, pointing up] Look - - it's Superman!
Yes, it is The Man of Steel, whose awesome Super-Powers have rung around the world! But he is also someone else...

[Superman] I'd better hurry into my street clothes if I'm to keep my date with Lois!

For just as playboy Bruce Wayne is secretly Batman, so mighty Superman hides his identity beneath the guise of mild-mannered reporter Clark Kent!

[Lois Lane] So you start your vacation cruise on the Varania tomorrow evening? I'll come down and see you off, Clark!

[Clark] That'll be swell, Lois! I'm hoping for a real rest on this cruise!

Thus, fate weaves a strange pattern to draw the two most famous champions in the world into an unprecedented adventure! For next evening as passengers board the Cruise-Ship Varania...

[Lois] Isn't it divine? I'll wait on deck while you see the Purser, Clark!

[Clark] All right, Lois! (Thinking: Looks like a full passenger list! Thank goodness I have a cabin to myself!)

But seconds later, a dismaying surprise...

[Purser] I'm sorry, Mr Kent, but the ship's so crowded, I've put you with another passenger - - a Mr Bruce Wayne!

[Clark] But - - but - - (Thinking: Gosh, I can't make too big a fuss...Lois would surely get suspicious!)

And so the quirks of fate lead to the most portentous meeting of the century!

[Purser] I'm sure you gentlemen will get along splendidly!
[Clark] Er - - yes! (Thinking: But what if he should find out I'm Superman?)

[Bruce] Uh - - certainly! (Thinking: What if he discovers I'm Batman?)

At that moment, out on the dock...

[Lois] Look - - that man! He's fired incendiary bullets at that tank truck!

[Passenger] It's catching fire!

[Villain] (Thinking: Just as I planned! This asbestos suit protects me from the flames while I snatch that diamond shipment!)

[Lois] What a scoop! If I can only get a closer look!

And once again, Lois Lane's daring leads her into danger...

[Official] Stop him! He's got the Fabian Diamonds!

[Villain] (Thinking: No one can come after me through the flames!)

[Lois] Help! The fire has circled around - - I'm trapped!

Meanwhile, the uproar outside summons to action two champions, each unknown to the other...

[Bruce] (Thinking: Trouble outside! I must switch to Batman without this Kent chap seeing me!) Er - - mind if I switch off the light and turn in?
[Clark] No - - er - - I'm tired too! (Thinking: In the dark, I can become SUperman without him seeing!)

And as the light is snapped off...

[Superman] (Thinking: Wayne can't see me change now - - I've got to get out there fast!)

[Batman] (Thinking: He mustn't suspect - - I have to be quick and quiet!)

But suddenly, as rising flames pour light through the porthole...

[Batman] Why - - why, you're Superman!

[Superman] And you, Bruce Wayne...you're Batman!

[Batman] No time to talk this over now, Superman! The fire out there will blow up that tank-truck!

[Superman] Right...we'll talk about this later!

Moments later...

[Superman] I'll take care of the tank-truck...you get Lois out of that trap!

[Batman] That girl down there? I'll get her!

So, for the first time, two famous figures hurtle into action together!

[Superman] I can handle this burning truck more safely up in the sky!

[Batman] I'll have to swing fast to reach her through those flames!

[Superman] By welding shut the bullet-holes with my fingers, I choked off the fire! Now to inhale a lungful of water-vapor from this cloud!

While down below, the hooded figure of Batman flashes through bursting flames, and...

[Lois] I knew you'd save me, Superman! But - - but wait...you're not Superman!

[Batman] I'm only Batman, Lois - - subbing for Superman while he's busy!

[Superman] (In the air above Lois) The water-vapor of the cloud will smother this fire quickly!

[Lois] Gosh, Batman - - I've read so much about you, but I never thought I'd meet you this way!

(Superman joins Lois and Batman)

[Lois] Oh, Superman, look! This is the great Batman - - and he saved my life!

[Batman] But Superman put the fire out! Now maybe the two of us can find the crook who started it!

But after a swift manhunt along the pier...

[Superman] He discarded this asbestos suit and got away!

[Uniformed Official] Nobody came off the pier! I stopped everyone when I heard the alarm!

[Batman] Superman, I figure that crook planned to board The Varania as a passenger for an easy getaway!

But before continuing the pursuit, a vital matter must be settled...

[Batman] Superman, you can depend on me to keep secret your identity as Clark Kent! And only you and my pal Robin know that I'm Bruce Wayne!

[Superman] I'll keep your secret, too, Batman! But what'll we do about the bandit? Even if he's on that ship, if we suddenly appear as Batman and Superman while at sea, our identities might be suspected!

[Batman] Then we must sail on the Varania as Batman and Superman - - as well as in our everyday identities!

Thus, an amazed Captain finds that he is to have two world-famous passengers!

[Batman] You see, we believe this crook is a passenger who boarded ship in the uproar, and we're going along to catch him!

[Captain] why - - why, I'm honored, gentlemen! I'll give you two my own cabin...I can share the Mate's!

But awhile later, as the Varania forges out to sea, Superman gets an unexpected surprise...

[Superman] Lois! What are you doing on board?

[Lois] I'm going along! I phoned the Chief for permission to take my vacation now, and had a suitcase rushed down! No one else is goig to get this story!

[Superman] But it's impossible - - there's no cabin-space!

[Lois] A woman who was upset by the fire cancelled hers,so I was given her cabin! And by the way, Superman, your friend Clark Kent is aboard...I'll tell him you're here!

An emergency that both crime-fighters have often faced calls for quick action...

[Superman] We've got to reach our cabin and switch to Clark and Bruce before Lois gets there! Gosh - - why did she have to come along?

[Batman] Why not? She seems like a charming girl!

[Clark] She is - - but if you only knew the trouble that girl has caused me, Batman...

[Bruce] Oh, oh...here she comes now! Quick - - get into your bunk!

And when Lois enters...

[Bruce] He seems pretty seasick, Miss Lane! I'll have to stay here and take care of him!

[Lois] Clark Kent, you would be seasick! Well, I don't care - - not with Superman and Batman aboard!

[Bruce] Whew! That'll explain why Bruce and Clark don't appear during the voyage!

[Clark] But Lois will be tagging everywhere after Batman and Superman! How can we root out the criminal on board with her getting in our hair?

Later, on deck...

[Superman] Say - - I just thought of a way to keep Lois out of my hair! If you could pay attention to her - - make her think you're falling for her - - and I pretend to be jealous, she'd be too occupied for amateur detective work!

[Batman] Well - - if you say so...all right!

[Lois, hiding in shadows] (Thinking: So that's his scheme! Well, I'll just teach Superman a lesson!)

(Lois joins Batman and Superman)

[Lois] Oh, Batman, I so want to talk to you! Er...Superman, why don't you go smooth out those rough waves, so the ship will stop pitching?

[Superman] Hmph! Since you seem to prefer Batman's company, I will!

And The Man of Steel takes a quick method to stop the ship from pitching

(Superman lifts the ship from the sea.)

[Superman] (Thinking: Lois does seem rather taken by Batman! Oh, well...it'll help our gag! And while I'm doing this, I'll look through the ship for stolen diamonds!

Though Superman's penetrating x-ray vision discovers no diamonds, it does spot something else of interest.

[Superman] Hmm...that man is carrying a hidden pistol! He could be the one we're after...I'll have to tell Batman about this!

And back on deck...

[Superman] His wallet-cards read "John Smilter, Electrical Engineer", but that could be a fake!

[Batman] And you say, your x-ray vision couldn't sspot the diamonds anywhere aboard? Suppose you keep Lois here, while I look over Mr. Smilter!

(Lois approaches)

[Lois] Oh, it's only you, Superman! Batman was going to tell me some of his great exploits! Wasn't it wonderful the way he saved me?

[Superman] I've saved you 100 times, but you seem to have forgotten about that! (Thinking: Why, I think she's really fallen for Batman!)

Shortly after, as Batman manages a casual meeting with their suspect...

[Smilter] Yes, Batman - - I'm an electrical engineer specializing in high-tension work! Matter of fact, I have a job to do on the ship's dynamo in just a few minutes!

[Batman] (Thinking: His shoes have leather soles, and high-tension men always wear rubber soles for safety! He's lying!

Minutes later

[Batman] He must be our man - - but without the diamond-loot, we can't prove a thing!

[Lois] Oh, Batman...

[Superman] It's a mystery because my x-ray vision would see the diamonds if they were on the ship!

[Lois, to Batman] The ship is holding a dance tonight, and I was wondering if you'd do some of your famous stunts, to help make it a success!

[Batman] Well, I'll do the best I can, Lois - - though I can't see why you don't ask Superman, too!

So that night, before awed spectators, a dazzling display of Batman's legendary acrobatic skill!

[Superman] He's really terrific!

[Lois] Oh, isn't he? And so glamorous, too!

[Superman] Guess I'll do a few stunts for the audience too, Lois! Be back in just a moment!

[Lois, yawning] Ho, hum - - you can if you like!

A trip to Northern waters and back again takes only a moment at The Man of Steel's super-speed! Then, some super-juggling...

[Batman] Wow! Look at him juggle those icebergs! What a guy!

[Lois] Oh, yes - - (yawn) - - but he's so corny! I guess (yawn) I'll polish my nails!

And when the performance is over...

[Superman] My super-hearing caught what Lois said, Batman, and...well - - I guess the better man won!

[Batman] But I only paid attention to her to keep her from messing up our search - - as you suggested, I'm sure Smilter is our man...yet, if you couldn't see the diamonds on board, what did he do with them?

[Superman] I can't imagine - - but anyway, he can't leave the ship until we reach port!

But Superman is wrong! For at that very moment...

[Smilter] (Thinking: The helicopter will be here soon, to pick me up...and a little sabotage will keep Superman too busy to follow! But just to make sure, I'll take along a hostage!

Shortly afterward...

[Captain] I don't understand it! Our turbines have failed - - and a storm is coming this way!

[Batman] I wonder - - is it just an accidental failure? We'd better look into this, Superman!

Meanwhile...

[Lois] You said you had something to tell me, Mr. Smilter - - why - - what - - ?

[Smilter] That helicopter is picking me up here - - and you're going along, Miss Lane!

And as the first force of the storm strikes the disabled liner a few minutes later...

[Superman] There's no danger - - I can tow the ship safely ashore!

[Man on deck] Help! That helicopter just picked up Mr. Smilter - - and he forced Miss Lane to go with him!

[Batman] We're stymied! I can't zip after them - - and you can't because you have to tow the ship to safety!

[Superman] Maybe you can fly if we use a little teamwork! Get out on my shoulder, Batman, so I can use my other hand to give you a start!

[Batman, in the air] Wow, this is travelling! Robin would've loved this!

(Batman grips the helicopter)

[Helicopter pilot] Shoot him!

[Smilter] No - - I can't shoot! Must try to throw him off!

But Batman hangs on, and lunges into the cockpit...

[Lois] Oh, Batman - - I knew you'd come to save me!

Later, when Superman has towed the disabled linerto port...

[Superman] You got him and saved Lois, but we still don't have the diamonds!

[Batman] Yes we do! He hid the gems inside the lead bullets of this gun, where your x-ray vision couldn't see them! I guessed it when he refused to fire at me!

And after the criminals have been turned over to the police...

[Lois] You're both leaving the cruise here?

[Batman] Yes - - our job is done! (Thinking: And we have to slip back into the ship and become Clark Kent and Bruce Wayne again!

But later, as the Varania starts homeward...

[Lois] You got over your "sea-sickness" mighty quick, Clark Kent! As soon as Superman and Batman left, you and Bruce appear again!

[Clark] Er - - yes, the stop at that port - - er - - revived me!

(Lois walks away)

[Bruce] That did it! Now she's sure we're Superman and Batman!

[Clark] I can cover your secret identity, Bruce - - but I'm afraid nothing will cover mine now! Wait until tonight!

That night, as darkness shrouds the homeward-bound Varania...

[Superman] You can make a brief appearance in Gotham City, and I can bring you back to the ship at super-speed!

So minutes later, in Gotham City...

[Crowd in street, pointing up] Look - - Batman! He's watching out for crime, as usual!

Next morning

[Lois] Why, the ship's radio news-sheet speaks of Batman appearing in Gotham City last night! Then he couldn't possibly be Bruce Wayne!

[Clark, whispering] That convinced her - - but I'm afraid there's no help for me!

[Bruce, whispering] Yes there is! When we near Port City, you zip ahead as Superman, and greet the ship! I'll fix things for you!

And when the Varania docks, Lois and Clark Kent disembark to be greeted by...

[Lois] Superman!

[Superman] Welcome home, Lois! Hello, Clark - - sorry you were so seasick!

Later, in a secluded corner...

[Superman] Your wonderful skill in disguising as Clark Kent saved my secret, Batman! But we still don't know which of us Lois really prefers!

[Batman] Let's see which of us she'll go out to dinner with...that'll prove her preference!

But when they return to the crowd...

[Batman and Superman] Oh, no!

[Robin] Hi, Batman! What do you think?...I'm taking Miss Lane out to dinner!

[Lois] Isn't he the cutest little chap?

The End