Decades before Harry Potter popularized rounded eyeglasses, one of Hollywood’s most popular comedy stars was the bespectacled Harold Lloyd, and downtown Peoria’s Apollo Theater is showcasing him with a feature and a short subject on Saturday, August 13.

Mentored by film-comedy pioneers Hal Roach and Mack Sennett, Lloyd soon perfected his stock character, a typical young man somehow capable of overcoming any obstacle set before him. He made dozens of shorts and feature films, such as “Safety Last” and “Speedy,” in the silent era, during which Lloyd’s status rivaled Charlie Chaplin.

The nonprofit Apollo will show 1925’s “The Freshman” after a short subject.

“The Freshman” stars Lloyd as Harold Lamb, a country boy who’s so excited about going to college that he works hard to earn spending money, practices college yells, and even learns a special way of introducing himself that he saw in a movie. When he arrives on campus, he becomes the butt of practical jokes and ridicule. Helped by one friend, a coed named Peggy, the nerd resolves to become popular, and resorts to playing for the college football team.

The National Film Preservation Board in 1990 named the 76-minute feature to the National Film Registry.

Show times at the Apollo are at 7:00 p.m. Donations are $5 and $4 for kids, students and seniors. For details call (309) 673-4343.