Palais Royale (film)

Palais Royale (alternative titles Smoke Screen or Smokescreen) is a 1988 Canadian comedy film.

Palais Royale
Directed by	Martin Lavut
Screenplay by	Hugh Graham Joanne McIntyre David Daniels
Story by	Hugh Graham
Produced by	David Daniels Lawrence Zack
Starring	Kim Cattrall Matt Craven Kim Coates Brian George Michael Hogan Dean Stockwell
Cinematography	Brenton Spencer
Edited by	Susan Martin
Music by	Jonathan Goldsmith
Production company	Metaphor Productions
Distributed by	Norstar Releasing
Release dates	September 10, 1988 (1988-09-10) (TIFF) May 12, 1989 (1989-05-12) (Canada)
Running time	90 minutes[1]
Country	Canada
Language	English

Plot

This dark crime comedy is set in 1959 where Gerald Price (Matt Craven) is a newcomer to Toronto. He competes with mobster Tony Dicarlo (Kim Coates) for the affections of Odessa Muldoon (Kim Cattrall). Meanwhile, Michael Dattalico (Dean Stockwell) is eager to expand his organized crime business in Toronto.^[2][3] Much of the action takes place in the art deco dance hall of the title, a historic building set on the shores of Lake Ontario.

Cast

• Kim Cattrall as Odessa Muldoon
• Matt Craven as Gerald Price
• Kim Coates as Tony Dicarlo
• Dean Stockwell as Michael Dattalico
• Henry Alessandroni as Dominic
• Victor Ertmanis as Sal
• David Fox as Bob
• Brian George as Gus
• Sean Hewitt as Mr. Gillis
• Michael Hogan as Sergeant Leonard
• Helen Hughes as Mrs. McDermott
• Sam Malkin as Sam
• Dee McCafferty as Officer Nichol
• Robin McCulloch as Rick
• Mario Romano as Joey

Release

The film premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival on 10 September 1988, then given a general Canadian release on 12 May 1989.^[4][5] The film was also released under the titles Smoke Screen or Smokescreen.^[6][7]

Reception

'There is humour in Palais Royale, if you don't mind Toronto in-jokes.' – Paul Townend, Cinema Canada