Was aviation editor for five years for the New York "Herald" before coming to Hollywood.
Child: Peter (c. 1921)
Was one of several directors hired by producer Howard Hughes (I) to direct Hell's Angels (1930), all of whom either quit or were fired by Hughes. Exasperated with the constant interference from Hughes, who had never directed a picture before, Reed one day threw up his hands, shouted at Hughes, "If you know so damn much, then direct the damn thing yourself!" and stormed out. Hughes, who hadn't liked the idea of others being in control of his money in the first place, took over the reins of the picture and finished it, albeit way over schedule and more than a million dollars over budget--which didn't bother him, as it was all his money anyway.
