The Gazebo (1959) - Recommended by Mark F.
I knew nothing about this movie before I watched it, except that it was recommended by Mark when I mentioned that Glenn Ford didn't work for me as a romantic leading man because he seemed too rigid and cold to be the guy who gets the girl. Mark recommended this movie starring Glenn Ford in one of his lighter performances, and it was an excellent recommendation.
Elliot Nash, (Glenn Ford), is a TV producer who is being blackmailed by Dan Shelby over some old nude photographs of his wife Nell, (Debbie Reynolds). Using advice given to him by his friend, District Attorney Harlow Edison, (Carl Reiner), Elliott decides that the only way to stop the blackmailer is to kill him. His plan is to shoot Shelby, and bury him under the foundation of a gazebo his wife bought. Things get even more complicated the next day when Harlow tells Elliott that Shelby has been shot and killed in his hotel room, leaving Elliott wondering who he murdered.
This movie completely changed my mind about Glenn Ford. This movie is one of the funniest movies I've seen, and Ford was wonderful in this movie. He's hysterical as his plan goes awry, and he has to improvise, even going so far as to get advice from the master of murder plots, Alfred Hitchcock.
Debbie Reynolds and Carl Reiner were also great in this movie. Glenn Ford and Debbie Reynolds have wonderful chemistry together. There are also great performances by the supporting cast including John McGiver as Sam Thorpe, the contractor the Nashes hired to install the gazebo, Mabel Albertson as Miss Chandler, the real estate agent trying to sell the Nashes' house, Doro Merande as Matilda, the Nashes' servant, and even Herman, a pigeon Elliott saved who makes the situation even more complicated at times.
This movie is a nice change of pace because it's a crime movie with some suspenseful scenes, but it's mostly a comedy with some of the funniest scenes ever. I highly recommend this wonderful movie.
Thank You Mark F for the recommendation. You truly are the Master of Movies.