For the 8th consecutive autumn, the Peoria Film Noir Festival this month brings its dark thrills to the area with a half dozen gems from the 1940s, ’50s and ’60s – united by their mood of mystery and dread and this year their setting: San Francisco.

Downtown Peoria’s Apollo Theater showcases most of the classics, but the Peoria Public Library launches the series with a free screening of Alfred Hitchcock’s “Vertigo” at 6:30 p.m. on Thursday, Oct. 14 at its Lakeview Branch location near University and Lake Streets.

The film noir fest continues at the Apollo, 411 Main St., with the 1952 psychological thriller “The Sniper” on Friday, Oct. 15, introduced by journalist and Western Illinois University professor Bill Knight.

Director Don Siegel’s “The Lineup” follows on Saturday, Oct. 16, introduced by Journal Star business reporter and media critic Steve Tarter.

The next weekend, the festival resumes with Illinois Central College film teacher Craig Shurtleff introducing a memorable teaming of Humphrey Bogart and Lauren Bacall, “Dark Passage,” on Friday, Oct. 22. The series wraps up on Saturday, Oct.23 with a double feature – “D.O.A,” starring Edmond O’Brien, and “Bullitt,” a Steve McQueen vehicle from 1968 – introduced by local historian and author Norm Kelly.

Showtimes at the nonprofit Apollo are at 7:00 p.m. and its suggested donation is $5 and $4 for kids, students and seniors. For details call (309) 673-4343.