This was a great science fictipn episode, and extremely imaginative ideas. The story form works well, and makes it more believable, learning of the details of God Smith through the interview with Smith's "friend". Wouldnt surprise me if this would be remade as a feature film.

Rose's character is in college when he meets a strange, brilliant 12-year old named Smith who's also a student there. He befriends him from people who are teasing the poor kid, yet Smith is strangely sinister. When Rose visits the youngster later, Smith shows him a strange coffin-like device. He throws a switch and says that in minutes there will be a little world in the device. Rose watches as, as promised, a dot appears and grows, glowing white hot inside the device. Only problem is: Smith doesn't have full control over it. The thing blows up (the two collegians get out in time) their building and leaves the ground beneath radioactive for 3 months. Smith gets expelled from the school. Several years later, Rose's character encounters Smith again...he learns Smith, who's become quite rich from his inventions, intends to create a new planet in the solar system, populate it with "superior" humans, and make it an ideal planet. The ending to this wasn't quite what I expected (it reminded me a little of the ending to "Hole in the sky", right down to Russel Horton's performance in both episodes) but it was still an enjoyable episode. Rose was excellent.

Really fun and imaginative episode.Very well directed and acted.

I rate this episode ★★★★☆ for GOOD. Henry Slesar had quite of an imagination when he wrote for CBSRMT. This wasn’t just a Sci-Fi story about a guy named Smith who became a God, but a story about the man who knew a God named Smith. Another way to title this episode would be “Smith’s World” or “”Smith, Inc.” or even “Smith’s Right Hand Man.” There were a lot of plot points and an intense climax. However, I think there should’ve been an intense resolution, like a cautionary tale for anyone that wants to play God. The sound effects of the wine being poured, monkey wrench twisting the nut & blot, low pitch whine from the World Building Machine that speeds up and creates a lightning bolt, newspaper editors typing and murmuring, rotary phone ringing, the telegram, patrons murmuring in the theatre, unlocking the door, the explosion on the “Bleeding Earth,” and the disastrous eruptions of Smith’s world were nicely done. The music, however, needed more. In ACT-1 there were only 2 music tracks. But in ACT-2, there were great music themes for a dramatic conflict. In ACT-3 we get to hear the music from “The Invaders” episode from the TWILIGT ZONE at the 34-minute mark. It would’ve been great if they added music melodies of peace & harmony on Smith’s world so people would know how different it is than the Earth. Great acting from our cast: Norman Rose (as Luke Wingate: the Atheist), Russell Horton (as Smith: the God & George Burgess: the rebel from the Anti-Smith League), Evie Juster (as Evelyn Wilson: the theatre actress & Elita Morgan: the rebel from the Anti-Smith League), and Robert Kaliban (as the reporter, Gill Curtis, and Lou Briggs). I think Russell Horton pulled it off nicely for playing a character that was a pre-teen and then transitioned to be a young adult. Plus, Norman Rose’s voice as the concerned storyteller was top notched. As for our Host, E.G. Marshall was top notched as well. In his Prologue, he brings us into the story about a future god who was born on July 19th, 1977. In ACT-1, he informs the fans that no one knew more about Smith than his friend Luke Wingate. Later, he asks us fans can anyone become a God just from dust particles & electrical energy. In ACT-2, 6 years have passed and Luke has a career in journalism before he encountered Smith again. At the end of the Act, Smith loses Luke as his first disciple, but that doesn’t stop Smith from being a God. In ACT-3, it’s the year 2009 and Smith’s world is now created where it’s between Earth & Mars. In this type of future, the best Earthlings go to Smith’s world to make it better while Luke and the other Earthlings stay on Earth where it has become Oblivion. At the end of the Act (SPOILER ALERT), Smith’s world is gone; a dead rock/a tombstone of a planet. In the Epilogue, our Host said that everyone dreams of creating a world by using our imagination. And that’s what’s great about the CBSRMT series: using our imagination that makes this classic radio series unforgettable. Not just for the old fans, but newcomers as well. Until next time…pleasant dreams. =0]

I shouldn't have laughed on this but I remember when "Smith" almost blew up the lab at Ardmore College. Didn't Norman Rose's character say: "He almost got kicked out (of the school)." ALMOST?!?!

I started listening to every episode last spring, and so far this is one of my favorite plays.

I read this short story when I was a kid and it always stuck in my mind. I Googled it on a whim and OMG, here it is!

Enjoyed it. I like some stories set in the near future when they are now the present. It's fun to hear what they got right and wrong about the 21st century. Smith reminded me of Elon Musk. LOL

Excellent episode. Has a Stephen King/ Twilight Zone feel to it.