I rate this episode ★★★☆☆ for AVERAGE. I give G. Frederick Lewis credit for writing a Drama-Mystery with a pinch of fantasy in the mix. Everything was going smoothly in ACT-1 and in ACT-2. But for ACT-3, it felt like the story went off course. Just like Ep. #1395-PORTRAIT OF THE PAST, things took a turn in the final Act and the mystery itself, the best way I can describe it, went “topsy-turvy.â€ And since the smile-shaped cloud in this story was so terrifying to the characters, a better title would be “The Lingering Smile.â€ Tammy Grimes did an OK job as Host. Not tremendous, nor appalling, just so-so. In her Prologue, she brings up the topic: Mysterious Happenings and what are the reasons, the causes, the whys, and the wherefores that they are here (and 1 mysterious happening that I would like to know, is why Tammy Grimes got to be picked to be the Host instead of picking Mercedes McCambridge or Morgan Fairchild or any other actress in this series). In ACT-1, she brings us into the story, explaining the details of the first scene involving a telegram. In ACT-2, she gives us the summary of the previous Act. At the end of the Act, she questions us on who are the duplicates that our main characters saw and what does it have to do with the smile in the sky. At the end of ACT-3, she talks about people getting a second chance in life and there is a smile-shaped cloud somewhere in the world. No Epilogue because the recording was cut short. If E.G. Marshall did this CBSRMT episode, I bet he would’ve used quotations from famous writers and he would explain this tale more poetically and more methodically. The sound effects of holding the telegram, the boat engine running, sea gulls, buoy, wind blowing by the lighthouse, pulling the cables, high winds by the whirlpool, rowing of the oars, and pouring of the coffee were effective. But the music was frighteningly good! ACT-1 had themes of serenity, then switch to melancholy, then to dark & eerie tracks that caused fear to rise. ACT-2 had tracks to feel like death is closing in on our characters. ACT-3 had the haunting melody that they used in Ep. #1245-THE JUDGE’S HOUSE, and then played tracks to ease down the suspense to bring in a pleasing ending. Excellent music tunes. And speaking of excellence, our cast: Tony Roberts (as Bill Van Church: the writer), Marian Seldes (as Grace Van Church: the music teacher), and Fred Gwynne (as Wilbur Van Church: the uncle). SPECIAL NOTE: Himan Brown plays the Doctor. Tony Roberts reminds me of Larry Haines for playing characters that are filled with paranoia. Marian Seldes is so talented for playing characters that are kind-hearted and deeply concerned for others. And it’s always a pleasure to hear Fred Gwynne, no matter what character he plays. Tune in to this mysterious tale if you wish to see how it ends. And check out the other CBSRMT episodes that involve Smiles, such as Ep. #0200-BERENICE (by Edgar Allan Poe) and Ep. #1333-WHY IS THIS LADY SMILING? (Mona Lisa & Leonardo Da Vinci). Until next time…pleasant dreams. =0]