Peter Clark MacFarlane

Peter Clark MacFarlane (March 8, 1871 – June 9, 1924) was a novelist in the United States. The 1919 comedy film Molly of the Follies is based on his story "The Side-Show Girl". The 1924 film Tongues of Flame was adapted from his novel of the same name.

MacFarlane was born in Saint Clair County, Missouri on March 8, 1871. He studied at Florida Agricultural College and then studied theology at a seminary in Berkeley, California, graduating in 1905. He left ministry to become an actor and lecturer. In 1922 he was one of two speakers at a San Jose rally in support of Senator Johnson. MacFarlane corresponded with Teddy Roosevelt. Hiram Johnson considered MacFarlane among the best orators of his time.

With a goal of improving his writing, he joined the United States military during World War 1, entering Germany with the Second army division, then transferring to the Seventy-Seventh for action at Vesle, and then serving with the Marines at St. Mihiel. He spent 1921 and 1922 lecturing on the Chautauqua circuit. Those Who Have Come Back Tongues of Flame The Crack in the Bell Held to Answer The Exploits of Bilge and Ma