Clarence Budington Kelland was a highly prolific and versatile American writer whose career spanned from 1913 to 1960. Self-described as "the best second-rate writer in America," Kelland was a dominant literary figure during his prime, publishing 60 novels and approximately 200 short stories. His work frequently appeared in major publications of the era, including The Saturday Evening Post and The American Magazine. He served as a major literary influence for younger writers of the time, including a teenage John O'Hara.
Kelland's bibliography is divided between popular juvenile fiction and adult serials. For younger readers, he was well known for his Mark Tidd and Catty Atkins series. For adults, his most famous creation was Scattergood Baines, a benevolent but misunderstood small-town figure who starred in a long-running series of stories. Kelland also wrote successful standalone novels across various genres, including Conflict (1920), Hard Money (1930), Arizona (1939), and Dangerous Angel (1953).
Although his literary fame has faded in the decades since his death, Kelland's stories left a lasting impact on American cinema. Dozens of motion pictures were adapted from his writings, most notably the Buster Keaton vehicle Speak Easily (1932). His serial Opera Hat served as the foundation for the classic film Mr. Deeds Goes to Town (1936), which was later adapted into a television series and a 2002 remake. Additionally, his Scattergood Baines character was featured in a series of six Hollywood films in the early 1940s.
