The Kray Twins: London’s Most Notorious Gangsters

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This video is #sponsored by Magic Spoon.
Source/Further reading:
web.archive.org/web/2015020923...
www.biography.com/crime-figur...
thekraytwins.fandom.com/wiki/...
www.hackneygazette.co.uk/news...
www.bbc.com/news/entertainmen...
www.telegraph.co.uk/travel/de...
www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2...
www.bbc.co.uk/radio4/today/re...
www.reuters.com/article/brita...
www.bbc.com/news/uk-34612729
www.theblindbeggar.com/histor...
news.bbc.co.uk/onthisday/hi/da...

[@Biographics]

Thanks to Magic Spoon for sponsoring today’s video! Get the limited edition Birthday Cake 5-pack or build your own variety box here → magicspoon.thld.co/biographicsapr and use code BIOGRAPHICS to get $5 off today!

[@williambarraclough8712]

Nice

[@F_And]

Use code: Tim Dillon

[@jimmiedmc1]

I wonder if simon will beable to share his cerial when his kid eats solids lol

[@oluwaseunajayi2358]

Please sir can you make a video for Dionysius of Syracuse

[@matthewwithum8372]

Yum

[@hahehahe4215]

Kray kray takes on a legendary meaning at this point

[@jackieann5494]

Hahe HAhe , Hysterical 😅😅😅😅👍👌♥️

[@cova4218]

Well played

[@jaymevosburgh3660]

Is that a British slang term or am I missing some joke?

[@giantmanice]

@@jaymevosburgh3660 the movie legend is about the kray twins. Also in the USA where I'm from cray cray is a slang term for crazy

[@32bitcinema5]

You win!!!!!

[@Wrz2e]

Apparently the scene in Legend where Tom Hardy turns to Emily Browning and says "I ...am a homosexual" was completely unscripted and ad libbed. Her bewildered expression was genuine.

[@PANDORAZTOYBOKZ]

That scene is utterly infuriating to me, because Ronnie VERY explicitly had stated on multiple occasions that he was bisexual. The fact that nobody at any point in production was like "hey we should definitely correct that" is pretty representative of the fact that queer representation in film is more often about the clout and image, not any actual moral backbone.

[@Jason.cbr1000rr]

I didnt know he was really gay.. mam what a shocker!

[@apacifistmachinegunner669]

@@PANDORAZTOYBOKZ 🙄

[@fukkitful]

@@Jason.cbr1000rr Since they were identical twins, both were probably homosexual... Biographer, John Pearson, claims they had sex together, like with each other... Now let let that sink in for a second or two.

[@Jason.cbr1000rr]

@@fukkitful i am not surprised, whyte peeps do weird as stuff. Even a whyte friend of mines said he had hes cousins jvck eachother of 🤣 so you let that sink in...

[@jfrank1882]

And let's not forget Tom Hardy was fawkin brilliant portraying the two blokes

[@Newdivide]

Charles bronson

[@Mr.PepeSilvia]

" a paranoid schizophrenic walks into a bar"

[@ericpanissidi6761]

I have to admit i loved the krays the kemp brother better.sandau ballet rules

[@phoenixs9896]

Agreed

[@thejudgmentalcat]

@@Mr.PepeSilvia "I came here for a shootout. A proper shootout with some proper men" Brilliant portrayal by Hardy ❤

[@MadceltStevo]

Back in the 90's the British Dept of Meteorology bought 2 Cray supercomputers for weather forecasting. So of course they named them Ronnie and Reggie

[@dude2215]

Its so weird to see a magic spoon ad read when it's not in business blaze cocaine mode, but you can hear a bit of the OGBB coming out.

[@yt.personal.identification]

Allegedly

[@CalebSpears1]

Is it crack? Is that what you smoke?

[@perryleduc1954]

i love seeing BB creeping into the other channels

[@theparadigm8149]

What? 😂

[@dude2215]

@@theparadigm8149 go watch business blaze and thank me later

[@fake_nok]

My grandad was actually a member of the firm. I hadn’t actually known the full story of the Krays before. Great video!

[@vancelefinal]

The syrup?

[@TheSchmed]

Hopefully not Jack the Hat

[@MrLee-cy1pw]

Your grandad was bi!

[@justinlabrosse8506]

"Paranoid Schizophrenic walks in to a bar"

[@lazylynzie21]

That was my favorite part!!!

[@amorosogombe9650]

with two hammers...

[@JTwiss88]

My fiancees grandad used to sing for the krays in their clubs. Not a well off man- suddenly ended up with a house in Romford fully paid. He caught his wife in bed with another man. She didn’t care about what he thought just begged him not to tell Reggie and Ronnie

[@alfredthegreat9543]

? He caught his own wife in bed with another man and ended up with a house?

[@JTwiss88]

@@alfredthegreat9543 two separate things- the Kray's firm paid for his house as gratitude for him singing for them. He caught his wife in bed with another man and all she cared about was Ronnie and Reggie not finding out

[@JTwiss88]

@Russ Cooke *sigh* maybe if you knew what you were talking about... the Krays were criminals yes... they took from people yes. But they also looked after their own and those that were loyal to them. And I’m sure if you had an ounce of sense and read between the lines my fiancees grandpa probably did more than just sing in their clubs... have fun with that light ale of yours yeah?

[@BatTaz19]

@@JTwiss88 Oooh! You're hard! 💪

[@bananka4905]

@@alfredthegreat9543 dah

[@chickendrawsdogs3343]

"Frances." (proceed to get stabbed 32 times with a cocktail knife)

[@FreshOuttttttt]

“Why did you do that?”

[@GIBBO4182]

@@FreshOuttttttt that’s how I always remember which ones which!!! In Ronnie’s voice* “Ohhh Reg...Why have u gone n done that”

[@drewu213]

I corresponded with Ronnie while he was in Broadmoor. The most feared man in London, and openly gay in the 50's/60's. Iconic.

[@c.l.7525]

Simon needs to market a Chia Pet of himself, when you add water it's "beard" would grow. I'd buy that in a second.

[@jimmiedmc1]

Plants grow up it wouldnt work but I'd still buy one that's normal for hair he doesnt have

[@christineparis5607]

Chia seeds are high in protien and amino acids. They are a "super food"! The indians of Mexico's Chaco Canyons who run hundreds of miles with ease, depend on chia, beans, and some meat . ...

[@NajwaLaylah]

I wouldn't buy one, but I suppose it would sell like hotcakes. Or waffles. Or premium cereal like Magic Spoon.

[@michaelgallagher3640]

Just get the Bob Ross one & flip it over.

[@MacabreQt888]

@@michaelgallagher3640 🤣🤣🤣

[@ignitionfrn2223]

3:20 - Chapter 1 - Early years 5:35 - Chapter 2 - A life of crime 7:35 - Chapter 3 - The firm 11:20 - Chapter 4 - The boothby affair 13:30 - Chapter 5 - The hat & the blind beggar 16:15 - Chapter 6 - The end of the firm

[@Silver-rx1mh]

My ex boss Roger Law (One of the creators of Spitting Image) used to know the Krays back in the day. I think they picked him up because took a shine to him If you know what I mean. Roger remembers a night when they were in the presence of the pair in a local pub and one of them said whilst reaching into his jacket pocket "Do you wanna scar?" Roger went white, but he then repeated it, this time pronouncing it clearer saying "Do you want a cigar?" Oh god the relief....lol

[@2023skidoo]

He got off lucky. Could have had his pelvis screwed to a cake stand.

[@samsum3738]

@@2023skidoo Don t knock it until you ve tried it .

[@dr2stroke611]

accepting a cigarette of the twins could be worse as they would then break your jaw , as they used to say that an open jaw broke more easily

[@evakatrinaa]

@@dr2stroke611 very true, said so in print as well.

[@jenniferprice3432]

Thank you for sharing this information, Simon! As a history teacher, I often watch these videos for pleasure!

[@everydayhero5076]

Magic spoon sounds like what a heroin addict calls his rig. "My momma said it was my magic spoon. It could take me anywhere." -Forrest Dump

[@dylan-5287]

It actually looked kinda good until I saw the price. $40 for four boxes, before tax and shipping. Over $10 a box for cereal is kinda insane.

[@full-timepog6844]

@@dylan-5287 lol I was still thinking about the heroin when I read this

[@GodsThirdEye]

@@dylan-5287 wow that's creally krayzy they can stick that $10 price up their asses

[@co94]

The most most interesting part of this documentary is the cereal commercial.

[@troyevitt2437]

I think it was a 90s S.T.P. song.

[@darkknight9367]

Thank you I've been waiting for this one on them.

[@Remy1226]

While we’re on the subject of heavyweight criminals, Simon you should do Carlo Gambino. He’s a fascinating character. Your viewers would love it!

[@DaleRibbons]

I just realized the Krays gave Monty Python the inspiration for their Piranha Brothers sketch.

[@dedwardskbd]

Interviewer: I've been told Dinsdale Piranha nailed your head to the floor. Stig: No. Never. He was a smashing bloke. He used to buy his mother flowers and that. He was like a brother to me. Interviewer: But the police have film of Dinsdale actually nailing your head to the floor. Stig: (pause) Oh yeah, he did that. I mean, he didn't *want* to nail my head to the floor. I had to insist.

[@Silver-rx1mh]

@@dedwardskbd "Dinsdale!" LOL

[@jamesclendon4811]

I knew the Krays inspired the Piranha brothers, but I never knew their nemesis Snapper Organs was inspired by a real-life policeman named Nipper Read.

[@alantoon5708]

"And I understand that they nailed your wife's head to a coffee table...."

[@WIDBAU]

So interesting. I’m in my 30s and was born in London. I remember being a child and on a Saturday I was going to my dance class in a place called Chingford. As I came out the streets were very very busy and there was a funeral passing. It was one of the Krays (I’ll be honest I can’t remember which). I walked along behind the procession as that’s what literally everyone seemed to be doing. At the time I knew the name, but not much about them. Thanks for such a detailed account.

[@NajwaLaylah]

I can't let this video pass me by without mentioning the Piranha Bros. & Spiny Norman

[@saranonimus9211]

I kept waiting to hear about the time they nailed a guy's head to the floor! 😂

[@2023skidoo]

DINSDALE!

[@kevinstaib715]

Ha! I was looking to see if someone would mention this! Did these guys know how to treat a female impersonator? And my name's not Clement!

[@ComaDave]

"...a couple of film producers and a man they called Kierkegaard, who just sat there biting the heads off whippets"

[@johnchambers5029]

Doug and Dinsdale Piranha sure new how to use sarcasm as torture.

[@alexandercarder2281]

Reggie Kray died in my home city Norwich. He spent the last days of his life in a pub I attended, The town house pub on Riverside.

[@niros9667]

Remember when Simon was a perfectly dressed, well spoken, serious presenter?... That was before the blaze... Now my man is eating his breakfast at the start of vids, has his editor in his basement, and probably does copious amounts of Coke...

[@TheFlizash]

Allegedly

[@caoimhin8074]

Just cos your wacked doesn't mean everybody else is... I however am wacked!

[@rebella_alld5108]

@@TheFlizash A-legend-y

[@jtvalentine6]

Who says?

[@amandajones661]

🤣🤣🤣🤣

[@hursell]

I love how it goes from a harmless cereal advert then into the most ruthless gang in London 😂

[@jonathanramos8414]

Or what about a proper English breakfast!

[@korthnanfortuna9675]

This would make a great Casual Criminalist episode. My grandfather knew who these two were, but I hadn't known about them until last year.

[@chrismckinney332]

Been waiting on this one Simon!!!

[@NickonStark]

I heard Prince Philip’s opps, Pete and Bas, used to roll with these blokes.

[@huricanethreeonesix]

Pete and Bas were the real masterminds for sure

[@AgeOfTetra]

😂

[@hellsidefamilia]

Pete rolled with the Richardson’s. Him and Bas are from South London, Peckham. They ain’t Cockney. You didn’t work both sides of the bridge in those days.

[@joshmiller7777]

Haha quality!

[@TheAppleCap]

@@hellsidefamilia you mean the Richardsons?

[@gregwinakur4418]

Thank you Simon

[@robertfolkner9253]

The Monty Python sketch, “The Piranha Brothers” was influenced by the story of the Krays.

[@theneonchimpchannel9095]

DINSDALE!

[@crysstoll1191]

"Nailed me head to the floor! I got better, nice guys."

[@Rvns556]

The movie they made about them with Tom Hardy is incredibly sad.

[@fabrisseterbrugghe8567]

Have you seen the earlier film with the Kemps? It's excellent.

[@MacabreQt888]

@@fabrisseterbrugghe8567 yup, first time I'd ever heard of them. Excellent movie.

[@_undefined1744]

movies name?

[@graceroden2424]

@@_undefined1744 legend

[@fabrisseterbrugghe8567]

@@_undefined1744 Legend for the Tom Hardy one and The Krays for the one with the Kemp brothers.

[@siggy6044]

Been thinking about re-watching Legend with Tom Hardy, now I'm definitely watching it tonight lol

[@thomasseery7570]

I’ve been waiting for this one !

[@kylewyler2290]

Amazing! Well done Sir!!

[@goddam9925]

That was amazing thank you !!

[@kyokushin1754]

Been waiting for this one

[@alexstorr5511]

The 1990 film is an absolute masterpiece.

[@curtisthomas2670]

True So true

[@blueberrypirate3601]

The Spands bros

[@RJ-666]

🤣🤣🤣 you're obviously taking the piss

[@biocybernaught3512]

Simon you're the only KZbinr I actualy watch most commercials of because you're entertaining :D

[@achimhaun2726]

I literally searched for this yesterday wishing you would make a vid about them

[@Dat_Dude_Danny1]

Thanks for posting.

[@josephtreacy667]

My mates mum was a nurse in emergency at Lewisham hospital when they bought the casualties in from Mr Smiths. Used to go there a couple of years later when it reopened as a teenage disco. No liquor licence.

[@t-rockthekornb7758]

I don't know how I got through life with out you Simon but thank you and the others.

[@tommynugent1]

My grandad gave me a signed letter from Ronnie Kray that we keep framed in the loo, always create good talking points for guests.

[@b3ans4eva]

What was the subject of the letter?

[@angelofverdun456]

@@b3ans4eva my guess... puppies and kittens.

[@gavinross2471]

seen so much about the Krays over the years, yet I bet there is still loads of new stuff in this video.

[@curtisthomas2670]

There's a couple movies made about them, the best is 1990's 'The Krays' starring brothers Gary and Martin Kemp of the 80's synthpop band Spandau Ballet ("True") as the Krays.

[@evakatrinaa]

I agree that's the best version. The Krays weren't totally against it either except they were angry that their mother was portrayed as swearing. Violet Kray was a spotless angel in their minds.

[@Newdivide]

Fun fact: the twins met another notorious criminal. His name is Michael Peterson or better known as Charles Bronson

[@xavierthevoid]

Charles called them "the nicest [guys] he ever met"

[@gunnara6044]

And Tom Hardy played all 3

[@melissadwiggins]

Yup...and Bronson said the twins were 2 of his best friends and that they were the 2 best men he had ever met.

[@wade13murphy]

@@gunnara6044 he sure is something isn't he

[@wackywankavator]

Legend was a pretty good movie.

[@djwalkerfemaledj]

Good video I really enjoyed that

[@stolendrones]

Your timing is impeccable. I was just listening to Hasan & Abbas, and you just brought up the ostentatious car.

[@frankmurphy7234]

Was waiting for you to do one on them

[@hamiting471]

I listen to you so much that sometimes I hear you narrate my life For example:He could’ve had a burger but he didn’t

[@hahehahe4215]

Omg you too?! Lmao

[@charlielumley8889]

Exciting life

[@brazenlilhussy5975]

That 'example' was extremely helpful!🤣

[@Kai-wk4sh]

I've been waiting on this video for about two years

[@Thejasond1979]

Great vid

[@michaelgallagher3640]

Just yesterday I saw a snippet of something on these guys, thought I could see Simon doing this. Get home 2day, BOOM, here it is. You Da Man Simon.

[@BadFox38]

I needed this! The Krays are legendary!

[@Jason.cbr1000rr]

I didnt know he was really gay.. mam what a shocker! 😨

[@ulfstag4834]

This should definitely have been on casual criminalist but happy to watch none the less!! 💪

[@glennrugar9248]

Great use of the word ascendancy simon. That's one of my favorite Trivium songs

[@Fourwedge]

Going to buy some magic spoon when birthday cake comes back

[@Gravity_Dice]

I got some magic spoon! So excited for it to get here

[@hollywood5199]

Hello Simon 😊 Can't you please do a video on the Profumo Affair? I've never heard much about it in documentaries.

[@samuelademeso9041]

Aiiii the krays, didn't know I'll need a this in my life thanks simon

[@brydon5721]

I'd loved to have seen how Ronnie Kray would've responded to someone if they'd said gay men weren't "proper men". They'd probably be sleeping with the fishes, and not in a Troy McClure way.

[@Jason.cbr1000rr]

I didnt know he was really gay.. mam what a shocker!

[@lukeharman7054]

@@Jason.cbr1000rr Ronnie was gay and Reggie was bisexual

[@timothy4011]

Are you in the closet?

[@Potatopot724]

Honestly wouldn't be surprised if something to that affect actually happened, given the time period- at least, before they made a name for themselves and no one would dare

[@j0njn]

On a related topic, how about one about the Guv’nor, Lenny McLean. I recently read his autobiography, and he’s certainly fascinating.

[@jacobprice2579]

Absolute mad lads

[@awzthemusicalreviews]

11:17 I genuinely thought for a second that it switched to a DankPods episode, and I was listening to this through some HAITCH D 5 HUNGES

[@buckokid5930]

5 HUNGEES? Naw mate, only old mate senny senn's best hurr durr six hungees for me

[@ethanramos4441]

“Respect all. Fear none. Battle won” Kray twins

[@musiclover01ization]

This was a good video.

[@loupiscanis9449]

Thank you

[@ahuddleston6512]

I live in Hoxton!!! Thankfully the area has changed for the better. I've got that Morrissey song in my head now.

[@jimmyavpi]

I am the last of the famous, international playboys...

[@samsamson391]

This is how, as a kid, I first heard of them. The song just came out. I asked ppl. They didn't know. So I went to the library (lol).

[@thejannerofplymouth3654]

Another lecture listened to , I might use these videos to teach my kids ..

[@badgirlwhippet4275]

Love legend such a good film

[@DesertFernweh]

When I found out we were having twins I told my wife if they are boys we should name them Ron and Reggie..... She vetoed that idea.

[@truebeliever4144]

Rude

[@bmitchely]

Thank You!

[@roborat6712]

Did you do this video because you keep on getting "Legendary" clips in your recommendations? I've been getting those clips for the whole week and now I get this video 🤣🤣

[@calvincoolidge3406]

Simon, Where’s my Biographics?

[@J3s5y]

I could not get into the magic spoon but their customer support was amazing!

[@chocolateorange]

you forgot Max Kray, the infamous "Third Kray Twin" who came from a peaceful background and was thrown into the criminal world at the deep end.

[@dandagames6030]

I was looking dor this comment 😂

[@outrageousgamer315]

I was surprised by the ad at the start lol

[@SEAZNDragon]

Saw a video on the twins a few says ago and I was wondering if Biographics ever did a video on them. Now I know.

[@brianperry]

Jack 'The Hat' McVitie was murdered in a basement flat in Stoke Newington... its on record...it wasn't The Carpenters Arms pub

[@10thNoMountanTab]

business blaze Simon is showing up in biograpfics videos now with the magic spoon intro

[@kiranpandith]

We need Cassius Marcellus Clay biography. The legendary abolitionist from Kentucky!

[@Jason.cbr1000rr]

Cool i can foresee Muhammad ali bio coming up very soon 😀🥊🥊🥊🥊🥊🥊

[@kiranpandith]

@@Jason.cbr1000rr You need to Google which one I'm talking about. The one I'm talking about is far more of a badass than Mohmmad Ali

[@Bootyspaghetti]

I know it takes a ton of research but have you ever done a video on one of your channels explaining how you find out all this info for your videos?

[@specialboye4910]

wasup factboi

[@Nogarda_]

You could pretty much run an entire series on the people/characters from this age of British crime. I don't know if you've done frank as a solo biographic yet, but if you haven't and ever intend to, more for the Americans please portray how dark and barbaric his sense of humour was.

[@zch7491]

What a great ad read

[@jasonburt7160]

That Golden Spoon again. Can't fix the SW neon, but still rocking that gold spoon. lol

[@SCSilk]

I wonder how Magic Spoon would taste in a marshmallow bar (aka rice Krispies treats).

[@curiousworld7912]

I remember the Peter Medak film 'The Krays' from 1990. It was an excellent movie.

[@MikeyC82]

I saw a commercial for magic spoon cereal a day or two ago and have been searching for it to no avail. 😕

[@Religion0]

I still think you ought to have to have a disclaimer about the availability of your sponsor's products. Like, maybe just a little "*only available in the US"

[@DaleRibbons]

He didn't say it in this video, but he has said it in others.

[@ChrisPye999]

Which does make the ad weird as he lives in the Czech Republic

[@RALPHLAURENISTHEBEST]

Well shipping is always international

[@robertapascal6962]

Get a vpn?

[@ChrisPye999]

@@robertapascal6962 So where are you planning on shipping the cereal when you use a VPN to order it?

[@claudettedelphis6476]

Quite the story 🌚🦥🦫 Thank you for sharing this with us 🦘🌱🍄 Would you call this the London Mafia with a different accent? And did they enjoy 😉 all your favorite cereals 💫🌻🍜🫖☕️🍶⛲️💓💟 Enjoy your day in the sun ☀️

[@Damnto]

This channel is a blessing that we don’t deserve

[@brad270472]

Got a couple of mates that was banged up with Reg in Wayland for his last couple of years and coincidentally, I went past the Blind Beggar pub today on the way to Whitechapel hospital.

[@JudeNance]

You really ought to check into Butte, Montana and Rock Springs, Wyoming. Both are mining towns.

[@tylerdouglas6236]

Can you do billy kimber?

[@thebaldandthefurious]

The beard is epic !

[@DrNothing23]

...and a BANGER song by Renegade Soundwave! ;)

[@sugewhitejacoby8654]

The movie about the Kray Brothers reads exactly as you reported here! Great movie BTW! If you enjoy gangster movies you'll enjoy the movie about the Krays!

[@Vikanuck]

Literally the instant I saw this thumbnail, all I could hear in my head were The Piranha Brothers lmao 😂

[@princepscivitatis4083]

Simon, please do a biographics segment on the Catholic Monarchs and/or Louis "universal spider" XI.

[@wattage2007]

Wasn't "Sir" Cliff Richard also in that picture with Boothsby and Cray?