According to Wikipedia: "Clarence Budington Kelland (1881, Portland, Michigan – 18 February 1964, Scottsdale, Arizona) was an American writer. He once described himself as "the best second-rate writer in America". In a long and prolific career as a writer of fiction and short stories, he was published in many magazines. The Saturday Evening Post and The American Magazine were his best markets. He published about sixty novels; juveniles at first, then reprints of his magazine serials. Although largely forgotten now, a small number of his stories achieved some recognition, including Opera Hat, serial from The American, which was the basis for the film Mr. Deeds Goes to Town (1936), a short-lived television series (1969-70), and another film Mr. Deeds (2002). One of his best-known characters was Scattergood Baines who was featured in six films from 1941-43, starring Guy Kibbee."