Steinbeck later wrote a sequel released in 1954 called Sweet Thursday, in which several new characters are introduced and Doc finds love, with the help of his friends. The film version of Cannery Row incorporates elements from both books.
Rodgers and Hammerstein adapted Sweet Thursday into a Broadway musical Pipe Dream. Because the pair were uncomfortable with the idea of their main character being a prostitute, the show's allusions to prostitution were left vague. Although the show ran for seven months, it still lost money. Still, the score is remembered fondly by many.
