Clyde Fitch's four-act drama opened at the Bijou Theatre on 21 January 1901 for 163 performances. Blanche Sterling sadly returns from her father's funeral, knowing that he died bankrupt and that her mother and siblings are greedy social climbers. Various social parasites appear, but Blanche has a good friend in Edward Warden. On going through her father's papers, however, she discovers that her husband has indulged in unscrupulous business practices. Sterling's remorse prompts his self-sacrificing suicide, knowing that Warden will care for Blanche. Amelia Bingham produced the play and starred as Blanche, with supporting roles acted by Robert Edeson and Clara Bloodgood. Critics found it uncommonly good drama. Bingham revived The Climbers for a brief run in 1904, and motion pictures versions were released in 1915 and 1927.
The Historical Dictionary of the American Theater. James Fisher.