The book was a best-seller, and in 1961 it was adapted into a musical by Frank Loesser, with book by Abe Burrows. the play differs significantly from the book. It satirizes Mead's own career by depicting the rise of eager young J. Pierrepont Finch ... a window-washer who joins a huge corporation by starting in the mail room, and becomes chairman of the board a week later. The play starred Robert Morse as the young striver J. Pierrepont Finch and Rudy Vallee as the company president J.B. Biggley.