Krays. Lords of the Underworld. Channel 4 Documentary 1997 Final Pt6

1997 documentary on the 1960's Krays/Boothby/ scandal that got away. Lord Boothby was involved with Ronnie Kray who helped him procure young boys. The scandal did not come out (even though there was a paper article) because a Labour party cabinet member (Tom Driberg) was also secretly gay. Conservatives and Labour quietly colluded to keep it all covered up. All that plus a gay cat burglar and Ludovic Kennedy behaving like Paul Whitehouse's Rowley Birkin. Great stuff.

Category:

Education

Tags:

• Krays
• Boothby
• UK 1960's
• Crime
• Harold Wilson
• Tom Driberg

[Mascherina1964]

Question: I understand that Babs Windsor had a one-night stand with Ronnie Kray.

Why?

[Meckiffe1976]

@Mascherina1964 Well, I guess she's the only one who could answer that, but in general, glamorous women of that time saw themselves reflected in the men around them. The "Krays," in the late '50's and early '60's, were street-level heroes in those days and she probably felt it boosted her image.

[BLUESGUITARMANIAC]

on a hunt to Africa to chase the investment he foolishly made in setting up a town...! Which I believe DID happen.

[BLUESGUITARMANIAC]

had regarding image,self,promotion and how the theatrics of power worked as well as the effect on everyone around them.

The complexity of their characters has an almost shakespearean cadence to it:incredible highs and success combined with a devastating crash.

On a fictional front,'The Long Firm' by Jake Arnott is funny,especially the episode when Harry Stark(Ronnie/Reggie/Charlie & Eddie Richardson) takes Lord Thursby (Boothby)

[BLUESGUITARMANIAC]

Thanks for your reply and I hope there are no hard feelings...!

I have enjoyed your views and opinions on The Krays and I am impressed with the research and sources you have accessed in order to demonstrate your argument and I would appreciate it if you could point me in the direction of what ever material you have read?

You are right to criticize my comments toward yourself but I meant NO malice.

My comparisons with Hitler and Stalin are based on noteriety and the instinctive grasp Ronnie

[MrsPolidori]

But I must say, I dont believe the twins had as much control over the book as Pearson says, with the mistakes in it

[MrsPolidori]

There are not many people who like John Pearson from what Ive heard and even the twins hated him in the end. I dont like some of his remarks in the books... And come on, you can hardly compare a gangster with someone like Stalin! And if you knew me, you would understand that I dont like him because he was "evil." There are plenty more who feel the same as I do. But anyway, I think we are done here

[BLUESGUITARMANIAC]

@MrsPolidori

get less time then they did but they knew TOO MUCH in the particulars of what particular depravity a lord or judge or policeman liked!

[BLUESGUITARMANIAC]

@MrsPolidori

but in support of John Pearsons book,he got to know them incredibly well and even though the book started out as a vanity project he wrote the definative account of their career WITH their co-operation. H

He is STILL ferreting out information about how the establishment is STILL protecting the men the Krays socialised with from the upper echelons and proves to me that the murders they committed were not the sole reason for their incarceration.

Drunk drivers....

[BLUESGUITARMANIAC]

Actually,maybe the Krays could help society by helping most of these financial gangsters by giving them permanent homes propping up flyovers and tall buildings....!

[BLUESGUITARMANIAC]

I was just very surprised at someone having the hots for Ronnie Kray....!

It is like someone fancying Hitler or Stalin or Saddam Hussein!

My earliest posts to you were meant as very tongue in cheek and you are right,it is your business....(!)but leaving your statements ,don't be surprised if there are comments!

The Krays as bogie men pale into insignificance when our society is facing the fallout created by the arseholes we have in government as well as the real gangsters in banking...!