Was one of several directors hired by producer
Howard Hughes 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.
