The Gazebo

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The Gazebo

Released Dec 16, 1959

1h 40m

Comedy

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1 Reviews

74%

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50+ Ratings

Television writer Elliot Nash (Glenn Ford) makes increasingly desperate attempts to raise money in order to pay off a blackmailing photographer who threatens to publish nude photos of Elliot's actress wife, Nell (Debbie Reynolds). Unable to sell his house quickly enough, Elliot concludes that he has no choice but to murder the blackmailer. He schemes to utilize the installation of Nell's cherished antique gazebo and its quick-drying cement foundation, but finds himself burying the wrong body.

Dennis Schwartz

Dennis Schwartz Movie Reviews

A funny offbeat black comedy based on a so-so Broadway play.

Rated: B

Jul 3, 2015

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Michael F

Some good humor and plot twists in this dramedy but it was a little too predicable for my liking

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

01/15/24

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CodyZamboni Z

High energy comedy, Fun characters, A clever, campy plot, With wacky, entertaining situations. Ford and Reynolds give their all.

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

01/26/25

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Audience Member

Far-fetched black comedy that works in that it entertains you. This is not to say "The Gazebo" could not be improved. Ford's hijinks remind one of Lucille Ball without the laugh track -- up to her exaggerated and impossible dirty tricks. This is a dirty trick, too, but Reynolds and the character actors keep it moving so that it can be enjoyed for the duration. Ford made too many movies and was given opportunities that few in Hollywood are ever given. This is another of his try-outs.

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

02/16/23

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ashley h

The Gazebo is a decent film. It is about a TV writer who buries a blackmailer under the new gazebo in his suburban backyard. Glenn Ford and Debbie Reynolds give good performances. The screenplay is a little slow in places. George Marshall did an alright job directing this movie. I liked this motion picture because of the humor.

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

03/31/23

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Audience Member

This classic starts a bit slow but suddenly catches comedic fire and makes you laugh out loud. It's zany and unpredictable, a bit like a Hitchcock black comedy but funnier.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

02/06/23

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Audience Member

Glenn is cast against type and does fairly well with it - reminiscent of Tony Randall or Jack Lemmon. Reiner is also a bit against type as the affable straight man and best friend. Reynolds just seems too good to be true, in more ways than one. Probably a better stage play, but still decent enough to showcase some acting chops.

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

01/25/23

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George Marshall

Director

Glenn Ford

Elliott Nash

Debbie Reynolds

Nell Nash

Carl Reiner

Harlow Edison

John McGiver

Sam Thorpe

Mabel Albertson

Miss Chandler

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Synopsis

Television writer Elliot Nash (Glenn Ford) makes increasingly desperate attempts to raise money in order to pay off a blackmailing photographer who threatens to publish nude photos of Elliot's actress wife, Nell (Debbie Reynolds). Unable to sell his house quickly enough, Elliot concludes that he has no choice but to murder the blackmailer. He schemes to utilize the installation of Nell's cherished antique gazebo and its quick-drying cement foundation, but finds himself burying the wrong body.

Director: George Marshall
Producer: Lawrence Weingarten
Distributor: Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer
Production Co: Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer
Genre: Comedy
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Dec 16, 1959, Wide
Release Date (Streaming): Aug 24, 2016
Runtime: 1h 40m

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