The Kray twins with Mum - dailymail.co.uk Legend, a movie about the notorious gangsters Reggie and Ronnie Kray in 1960s London, will be released in September. The young British actress Millie Brady is playing Joan Collins. The Kray twins were the most notorious criminals of their time, heading a criminal empire of protection rackets, violence and murder.
However, there is doubt about the legendary star ever meeting the Krays. Dame Joan Collins, 82, was one of the many celebrities who visited the Krays’ night spot, the Kentucky Club, after it opened in 1962. The Krays loved to invite the stars to their club, and were often photographed with them there.
My husband has told me about the goings-on there and how he would wait at the Club's bar until one of his passengers deigned to leave. Back in those days, he drove a private hire car in London.
In the film, the actress is seen at the venue with the notorious twins. In reality, it has never been established whether Dame Joan Collins ever met them. You know how details are often tweaked in films or programs about famous people. At the time Joan Collins, one of cinema’s most beautiful actresses, had just missed out on the role of Cleopatra, which went to Elizabeth Taylor.
However, there is doubt about the legendary star ever meeting the Krays. Dame Joan Collins, 82, was one of the many celebrities who visited the Krays’ night spot, the Kentucky Club, after it opened in 1962. The Krays loved to invite the stars to their club, and were often photographed with them there.
My husband has told me about the goings-on there and how he would wait at the Club's bar until one of his passengers deigned to leave. Back in those days, he drove a private hire car in London.
In the film, the actress is seen at the venue with the notorious twins. In reality, it has never been established whether Dame Joan Collins ever met them. You know how details are often tweaked in films or programs about famous people. At the time Joan Collins, one of cinema’s most beautiful actresses, had just missed out on the role of Cleopatra, which went to Elizabeth Taylor.
www.goodreads.com John Pearson, whose book, Profession Of Violence exposed the Krays, made him the foremost expert on their reign of terror. In his 2010 book, Notorious: the Immortal Legend Of the Kray, Amazon he revealed the extraordinary, chilling closeness of the men dubbed 'The Kings of the Underworld' … Here's an extract by John Pearson from The Daily Mail:
'Mum would always be the nearest thing to a conscience that the twins possessed. Even when they were terrorising both the East End and the West End and delighting in the title of Kings of the Underworld, they watched their language around her because she couldn't abide swearing.
On nights out with her, they and the rest of The Firm, as their gang of thuggish associates was known, were on their best behaviour. They wore snowwhite shirts with tightly knotted slim silk ties, and sharp blue suits with narrow trouser legs and knifelike creases. They moderated their drinking.
Whatever her beloved twins chose to do she was always ready to condone; and if she felt she couldn't actively do so she would close her eyes to it. They were her special boys and, whatever they did, she was always proud of them.
But Violet was a faulty moral compass. Thanks to her, a great deal was forgiven and a great deal more was overlooked. And her approval encouraged the twins to believe they could get away with murder.'
'Mum would always be the nearest thing to a conscience that the twins possessed. Even when they were terrorising both the East End and the West End and delighting in the title of Kings of the Underworld, they watched their language around her because she couldn't abide swearing.
On nights out with her, they and the rest of The Firm, as their gang of thuggish associates was known, were on their best behaviour. They wore snowwhite shirts with tightly knotted slim silk ties, and sharp blue suits with narrow trouser legs and knifelike creases. They moderated their drinking.
Whatever her beloved twins chose to do she was always ready to condone; and if she felt she couldn't actively do so she would close her eyes to it. They were her special boys and, whatever they did, she was always proud of them.
But Violet was a faulty moral compass. Thanks to her, a great deal was forgiven and a great deal more was overlooked. And her approval encouraged the twins to believe they could get away with murder.'
Movie - flickfacts.com My husband often sat in Violet's kitchen, drinking tea while she chatted happily about her boys. When they rang the car company for a cab, they used to request him in particular to drive them around. Nobody refused in those days, and, like Robin Hood, they looked after their own. My husband learned to keep his eyes straight ahead and pretend he didn't hear anything they said in the back of the car. He rarely talks about what went on, but he remembers, having one of those minds that retains all the details. But he wanted to protect his former wife and young family, so they moved away from London. Even then, somebody rang his new number and made threats to his wife and his mother, which luckily didn't eventuate.
Why do we hold glamor and danger in such high esteem? Movies show the shocking detail, the terror, and the high life so well that we almost forget that life wouldn't be pleasant. All we know is that something's happening to lift us out of our mundane routine.
So, watch the film Legend in complete safety. And be glad you were not around to feel the flack.
Why do we hold glamor and danger in such high esteem? Movies show the shocking detail, the terror, and the high life so well that we almost forget that life wouldn't be pleasant. All we know is that something's happening to lift us out of our mundane routine.
So, watch the film Legend in complete safety. And be glad you were not around to feel the flack.
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