In 1985, Sevierville, Tennessee welcomed the opening of its first multiplex movie theatre. Although it only had three screens, it was a tremendous asset to the community. It was called Sevier Cinema 3, which later changed to Sevier Cinemas.

William Todd Holt, then 15 years old, was one of its original employees and worked as an usher. He then went on to work in every position -- learning the ropes of the business. With a management shuffle in 1986, Todd became an assistant manager and projectionist working under the direction of Sandy Webb. In late 1987, Mr. Webb suffered a heart attack and had to cut back on his many business and civic activities, which he was always honored for in the community. “He was always someone I wanted to become, I always looked up to him and learned valuable lessons from him,” Holt said. In an arrangement where Todd’s mother, Patricia C. Holt, would serve as the bookkeeper, Holt (now age 17) was offered the position of Manager (at least until he turned 18 years old). A couple of years later Sevier County Bank gained ownership of the theatre through a foreclosure proceeding on the theatre owners. Todd and Patricia were asked to remain on in their same capacities. In 1989 the theatre finally produced its first profit, and its future looked promising. Todd had began attending a local community college, while still serving as the theatre manager -- it was then that he began negotiations with the bank to purchase the theatre.

It was not until 1991 that these negotiations paid off. Todd, then 20, purchased the theatre through a special arrangement with Sevier County Bank Vice-President R. B. Summitt II. Because Todd had successfully managed the theatre and would continue to do so, the bank showed its appreciation and its strong community commitment. On the same day that Holt took ownership of Sevier Cinemas, he also signed a lease agreement with Bob Porter to manage the Gatlinburg Cinema in neighboring Gatlinburg, TN. Thus the beginning of Reel Theatres Corporation, formerly known as Sevier Cinema 3, Inc.

A couple of years later, Todd began serious planning for a new state-of-the-art six-screen movie theatre to be located on the main Parkway in Sevierville. In July 1994, the dream became a reality when “Movies on the Parkway” opened its doors. This new theatre was also built for easy expansion into a twelve-plex. Currently the expansion plans are underway.

In 1995, the City of Sevierville purchased the original three-screen theatre and renovated it into what is now the Sevierville Civic Center. Simultaneously, Gatlinburg Cinema’s lease terminated, and it went on to become the home of the “Hillbilly Hoedown” Music Theatre. This series of events ultimately completed a consolidation that enabled the company to look toward the future expansion of the newly completed multiplex.

Todd credits his company’s success to long-standing support from key members of the staff including his mother, Pat, who is still serving as the Corporate Treasurer. Todd’s right arm, Stephen W. Haney, currently the vice President of Operations, began working with Todd in late 1986. “Steve has always been a believer, partner and friend to me from the beginning,” Holt stated.

Then there is Bruce Stern, the Atlanta-based film buyer serving since day one; Scott Swabe -- key in the development and construction of “Movies on the Parkway;” and in more recent years, Betty Cannon -- currently the theatre’s General Manager. Then, what Todd calls “...the best decision I've ever made,” there is his Executive Secretary, Rhonda Tomlinson.

“I have always been blessed with great key staff members, as well as many long time staffers, that work as if the theatre was their own,” says Holt. He points out that he does not take anything for granted, saying “My story is quite unusual, and I have been blessed with opportunity, determination, good people and most importantly good movies!”