Wednesday, July 15, 2009

John E. Reed Hollywood Glamour





























Young actresses, desperate to make it in the movies, have been commissioning glamour photos, to show how sexy they are to casting directors, since the silent era.
John E. Reed was a Hollywood photographer who specialized in this type of photography. While a fair number of the famous walked through his studio doors, plenty of hopefuls, like this young lady, also had their pictures taken by Reed. It looks like, from the hair styles, that these were taken in the 1940s. The war era, would be my best guess. The last photo of the lot wasn't taken by Reed, but it came with the others, so I've included it. In that image, taken in a night club, the woman looks a little tired, whether from a late night, or a career that wasn't going anywhere...hard to tell.
If anyone out there can identify this woman, please leave a comment.

35 comments:

  1. Hello, I am looking for a photograph that was placed in the window of the John E. Reed studio on the corner of Hollywood and Vine in the mid 1960's. It was quite large and filled one whole window and stayed there for months. It was a picture of my sister and I and was placed there at the request of our manager Jerry J. Colonna to promote the upcoming release of our new record. I remember driving by the studio with our parents on many occasions during that time and seeing it in the window, it was very exciting! I would like very much to get more information on what happened to the photo. Any help you could provide would be greatly appreciated.

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  2. hello, i have several pictures of my granmother and her twin taken by john e reed, and am trying to find if there are any more.i have some originals which i am willing to share if youre interested in having them. much love-K

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    1. Hi. My father took pictures at John E. Reed studios in Hollywood, CA. Is this what you are talking about. My father is 89 yrs. old and his memory is fading. He has quite a few negatives and pictures still in our basement. There are 100's of them so some of them are hard to get into. He was a photographer between 1952 to 1972 there. He was a very great photographer.

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    2. Hi Leslie, I'd like to contact you about your father's work. I'm researching info on John E. Reed Studios. If you don't mind e-mailing me, I have some questions.You may contact me at danwe(at)netzero.net

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    3. Hi Leslie. (Or anyone who might know anything) My name is Connor. My grandma passed away this past summer. I am looking into John E Reed to see if there are any other photographs of my grandmother we never saw. I can send you the picture we have. Please email me if you see this. Connorslund@yahoo.com

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    4. Does anyone know the whereabouts or contact info of any older photographers who worked for John E. Reed Studios?
      Thanks. danwe(at)netzerro.net.

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  3. hi there,

    My grandmother was a singer for the USO and had some beautiful photographs taken by Mr. Reed. As a photographer myself, I've always wondered if there were more.

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    1. Laurie, so random but my grandmother was a dancer for the USO and has photos done by Reed as well! I wonder if they knew eachother. That would be crazy.

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    2. Was she red head My uncle passed September and he was an antique collector. I have two photos, one of the redhead in one of the brunette. homeloans@trentbest.com

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  4. I have several photos of "show-girls" who workrd with my grandfather, George Clark in the "30's & 40's. They're wonderfull shots. Are there collectors or family who might be looking for photos? Please contact me at rickymalichi@earthlink.net
    Cathy

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  5. I lived behind the John Reed studios from 1950 until 1961. I worked in the lab as a helper. There was a huge room with thousands of negatives. A very interesting time and there were 2 or three other photographers that worked there.

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    1. I lived there as a small child. My family name is Overman. The property was owned by my grandfather (Palermo), and was sold to the Blessed Sacrament Church. I remember a lot about my childhood there. Who are you?

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  6. Hello,
    I have some pics of my Mom done at the John Reed studio..she was an Earl Carroll girls. If there are anymore I would like to have copies.
    Anyone have any? She has signed her name Celia.
    Thanks

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  7. PLEASE GO TO earlcarrollGIRLS.com

    I am surching for John E. Reed photos.
    Alan

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    Replies
    1. im listing some om ebay this week. seller name is Nick's Odditiques.

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  8. Hi my name is charity and I found a pic of a young boy that was taken by John E Reed he is wearing a plad shirt while holding a coat over his shoulderwith a ring on middle right finger if u would like to see the pic email me at lewis.tbf.ball6@gmail.com thank u

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  9. Greetings!

    Have some old photos taken during the early 1960s of myself at John E. Reed Studios. Was curious if other young children were also photographed there. I have no memory of the session(s) unfortunately. Too young, I suppose. Oddly enough, I became far more interested in photography than show biz. Have some samples of head shots, if you're interested.

    Thanks,

    Marla

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    Replies
    1. Myself,my brother and sister all had pictures taken there about 1967

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  10. I acquired a painting done by John E. Reed somewhere from the 40-50's. It is of a distinguished
    looking women smiling and looks as if it can be a photograph. Any information regarding similar works he might have done. Thank you, David

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  11. Myself, my brother and sister all had photos taken there. They're great!!!

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  12. Myself, my brother and sister all had photos taken there. They're great!!!

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  13. I have a photo of my Great Aunt Esther done by him but nowhere to be found on the internet. Ive tried looking and can't seem to find her anywhere.

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  14. My Mother, Honey Carter was a beautiful blonde photographed by John E. Reed in the mid 1950s. I have the 8x10 photographs. filmdianne@yahoo.com

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  15. I have acquired a bunch of nude photos taken at John Reed studio in the 40's. 4x6 to 8x10 any interest?

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    Replies
    1. Sorry, but what with the pandemic and all I'm not exactly swimming in money at this time. My advice, start your own blog and share them with the world.

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  16. My mother Dani Hilda Chick was photographed by John Reed, in 1958, I think several dates. one May 11th. She has passed, I would like to buy any photos available, please contact me. Greg Chick, gregchick0@gmail.com

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  17. I hope one day to find original John E Reed photos of Hollywood film and TV actress Paula Hill (1926-2000)of the 1940s & 1950s- sometimes credited as Mary Hill. I found this newspaper feature when she was starting out via Newspapers.com. Hope someone else has seen any ?
    You can see a report via my Twitter account : https://twitter.com/StephenBWhatley/status/1409224570935074818/photo/1

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  18. Just found (rediscovered) two 8x10s from the 1940s of a beautiful platinum blonde taken by John E. Reed. She signed one Dorothy / the other as Dotty...but no last name !! I wonder if she could be an Earl Carroll girl. If there was a way to post and share the images I would. James : Markoalert@gmail.com

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  19. I know of a Dorothy/ Dottie that was a model & an aircraft worker for 35+ yrs. At Douglas Aircraft. She worked with my mother that had her photos taken by Mr. Reed. that was a model about that time also. She was however a natural brunette. But ....

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  20. Thank you Greg. If anyone else knows of a blonde Dorothy from the era - would love to hear from you.

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  21. My uncle passed in September he had 2 must be old frames are old he collected antiques. One looks highlighted with color (close up top up red head). The other lady in dress with hands together.

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