Since 1914, the ornate beauty of the Apollo Fine Arts and Entertainment Center echoes years of history for current movie goers not only in its magnificent surroundings, but a positive assortment of film offerings and events. As Downtown Peoria’s oldest existing theater, it has carried on a lasting tradition of quality film viewings, great plays, weddings, and a variety of events. The theater was renovated by attorney Tom Leiter, whose law office is in the same building as the Apollo, and reopened in 1990 as the Apollo Fine Arts and Entertainment Center. In restoring the theater, Barb Leiter, Tom’s wife, sought to use colors that reflected what the theater initially looked like.
The Apollo was a long narrow theater specifically designed for the silent movies of the day. It operated from 1914 to 1958. Bob Brandes was the theater manager from 1990 until 2005 when Apollo board president Steve Tarter took over hosting old films showings. Mary Sutherland, Tom Leiter’s office manager, handles special events at the theater. She also had a lot to do with getting Steve involved in helping with the Apollo.
Today the balcony area is all that’s left from the original Apollo. That makes it a smaller theater without the heavy overhead of a larger venue. The Apollo formerly had 900 seats but now seats 150 customers.
The Apollo Fine Arts and Entertainment Center has showcased many films in recent years such as the Marx Brother’s “Duck Soup”, Humphrey Bogart’s “Casablanca”, Gary Cooper’s “High Noon”, Peter Seller’s “The Pink Panther” as well as science fiction movie choices.
Now the Business Editor for the Journal Star, Tarter talks fondly about how the theater has a long lasting history that is used regularly for shows as well as for special events or plays. “We try to arrange around and give some variety. In April, we ran “The Thing” (from 1951). In May, we have a Superman festival, so we have old and new films of Superman. Later on, we will maybe have something more dramatic probably. We try to have something for everybody. Someone will say how about John Wayne, or Audrey Hepburn or Bette Davis? We have “Gone with the Wind” coming up in June. That’s one we always get requests for.”
Mass amount of movies shown, even a few times a month, makes the Apollo a wonderful place to view any genre of film under the sun. Some of the many movie events upcoming include: “Captain Blood” with Errol Flynn on May 7th, a variety of Matinee Serials on May 20th, The Superman Film Festival on May 21st, “Gone with the Wind” on June 4th, and a 50’s Drive-In Special on July 9th including “The Blob” and “The Girl Can’t Help It”.
Tarter’s enthusiasm for the Apollo speaks volumes and he truly is a film aficionado with knowledge towards putting on classic film events. Tarter states, “Now (The Apollo) is being used twice a month for shows on the average, sometimes more. We also have musical events in the area, jazz and things of that sort. It’s always open for (use) for special events. We’ve had some people do little premieres here, independent productions, (while) my part of it is doing the classic film shows. We have a few regulars who always ask us what’s coming up.” He talks openly of the Film Noir Festival the Apollo puts on in concert with the Peoria Public Library for what will be the ninth year this October.
Tarter says, “There’s something about the old crime movies that stand up so well when you watch them again, even though now it’s distant history, they have an attraction. It’s been a lot of fun and I’ve enjoyed the time down here.” Steve also mentions that they have Alternative High School groups come in visit the Apollo, which is a great way to keep the Apollo’s background alive. Tarter remarks that, “This is living history. You’ve got something that some people don’t realize is a blast from the past, if you will. In a way, the reason this is here is because it is so small.”
Despite its smaller venue size, the Apollo brings in movie lovers each event for their affinity toward the type of film shown, whether young or old. The ownership, movie goers, and movie shown are what make the Apollo Fine Arts and Entertainment Center a significant place to visit in Peoria. Not only does its history stand the test of time, but the quality of films shown give people a place to enjoy even if it they didn’t realize it was there. Tarter states that often people come in not knowing the theater was there. “They sometimes assume that all the theaters closed downtown. Well, we’re still open even if it’s just twice a month.” Steve loves seeing people enjoy the Theater and that makes him proud of being involved in giving new generations the opportunity to see classic films. The greatest part about the Apollo is that everyone who helps is involved through a volunteer effort, which is uncommon for any Theater, especially one of this caliber. The volunteerism for Steve and others who work at the Apollo is out of a sheer love for the Theater.
Overall, the Apollo Theater has a fantastic background to be more well-known in the Peoria area and the possibility is left open for future improvements. Steve Tarter, Mary Sutherland, and the Leiters believe in this theater as an alternative place to visit in Central Illinois. All in all, the genius behind its years of history is in the exquisiteness its stage set up, the empowerment of classic movies, as well as the love of its volunteers is the heart of the Apollo Fine Arts and Entertainment Center itself.