Topeka (1953) - Once Upon a Time in a Western

Bill Elliott is Jim Levering, leader of a notorious outlaw gang that robs a number of banks in Iowa.

But a job in Guthrie doesn’t go nearly so smoothly, so they find themselves on the run until they reach Topeka, Kansas.

There, Levering thinks he’s found a town ripe for the picking in what promises to be that gang’s biggest job yet.

Jake Manning and his henchmen rule Topeka, forcing the businesses to turn over half their profits each week as protection money.

Levering figures he and his men can earn the residents trust by ridding them of Manning. Then they’ll be set up to take over the town, then rake in any protection money they demand.

He succeeds in being appointed sheriff. He posts one of his men in each of the most profitable businesses in town.

Then comes a surprise, courtesy of Marian Harrison (Phyllis Coates), pretty daughter of restaurant owner Pop Harrison (Fuzzy Knight).

The townsfolk in Topeka knew of Jim’s outlaw past, and decided to take a chance on him anyway.

Now that he’s proven himself honest and trustworthy, they have no intention of turning him in.

It’s a chance to settle down and start a new life, something Jim and partner Ray Hammond (Rick Vallin) had been hoping for.

But how will the rest of the gang react when they find out the promised pay day might not materialize?

Bill Elliott as Jim Levering, tracking down former gang members who double cross him in Topeka (1953)

Rick Vallin as Ray Hammond, Jim’s partner and a man itching to settle down in Topeka (1953)

Review:

Between the frequents brawls, gunplay and horses chases, this is an action-packed B Western from Elliott.

And the plot isn’t bad, as Jim and Ray find themselves pitted against their own gang members.

In fact, those gang members — Marv Ronsom, Jonas Bailey and Will Peters — try to frame Jim and Ray for their own thievery.

Unfortunately, all the action doesn’t leave time for much character development, Harry Lauter makes for a weak villain and top-billed female Phyllis Coates has little to do.

Harry Lauter as Mack Wilson, the man who rules Topeka when Jim Levering shows up in Topeka (1953)

Edward Clark as Corley, the banker, and Fuzzy Knight as Pop Harrison, the restaurant owner, town leaders in Topeka (1953)

Directed by:
Thomas Carr

Cast:
Bill Elliott … Jim Levering
Phyllis Coates … Marian Harrison
Rick Vallin … Ray Hammond
Fuzzy Knight … Pop Harrison
John James …. Marv Ronsom
Denver Pyle … Jonas Bailey
Dick Crockett … Will Peters
Harry Lauter …. Mack Wilson
Dale Van Sickel … Jake Manning
Ted Mapes … Cully
Henry Rowland … Gambler
Edward Clark … Banker Corley
I. Stanford Jolley … Doc Mason

Runtime: 69 min.

Phyllis Coates as Marian Harrison, the restaurant owner’s daughter, with Jim Levering (Bill Elliott) in Topeka (1953)

Gang members (from left) Jonas Bailey (Denver Pyle), Will Peters (Dick Crockett) and Marv Ronsom (John James), inpatient to cash in in Topeka (1953)

Memorable lines:

Jim Levering: “Who’s gonna throw us out, you and them men pickin’ themselves off the floor. Listen, Mr. Wilson, the next time you want to try any strongarm tactics with us, bring men, not boys.”

Will Peters, of Jim: “Who knows? Maybe he’s really got his eye set on settlin’ down, gettin’ hitched.”
Jonas Bailey: “He’s been running up to that restaurant (where Marian Harrison works), lapping up coffee by the gallon. He never liked coffee that much.”