THE
HISTORY OF THE FIRM
The
formative years of Britain's most notorious gangsters are portrayed
with brutal honesty in RISE OF THE KRAYS, released on
Blu-ray and DVD on August 31, 2015, courtesy of Signature
Entertainment. In 1961 Ronnie and Reggie Kray began a reign of
terror that would endure and define London’s East End right up
until today. From protection rackets to members clubs, from brutal
street brawls to arson via blackmail extending to the Cabinet Office,
the Krays exacted out their own unique form of punishment on anyone
who crossed them. To get more of an idea of what the two siblings got
up to, this feature takes a look at The History of The Firm.
The Kray
'Firm' consisted of 'Colonel' Ronnie Kray, his twin
brother Reggie Kray, Ronnie Hart their cousin, Albert
Donoghue, Ian Barrie, Pat Connolly, Big Tommy
Brown, known as the Bear, Billy Donovan, Connie
Whitehead, Sammy Lederman, Dave Simmonds, Nobby Clark,
Scotch Jack Dickson, John Barry, Tony and Chris
Lambrianou and Ronnie Bender.
Leslie
Payne and Tommy Cowley were the known brains of The Firm, often
giving credibility and respectability to many of illegal deals and
approaches.
A few
gang members were recruited after they had suffered at the request of
the Twins, or in some cases after being personally attacked by them.
Albert Donoghue was shot in the leg by Reggie for uttering a threat
against them, weeks later he was welcomed into the Firm and put on a
pension. He went on to became one of their most trusted members.
The Firm
worked on an information basis. The Krays would always help small
time criminals who had just been released from prison or when they
were down on their luck in return for favours in the future. The
trade off was they were to be the eyes and ears of the Kray Firm.
Nothing happened in London without the Twins knowing or without them
getting their piece of the action.
The Firm
also worked on a sort of franchise system where certain members of
the gang, such as Tony and Chris Lambrianou, who would use the Kray
name and reputation to conduct their business activities. The
Lambrianou brothers operated all over the country content in the
knowledge that they had the backing and the muscle of the Firm. The
Twins weren't interested in what they were doing so long as they
received their percentage.
It was
felt by many that if the Twins had taken more of a back seat when it
came to settling disputes, and recruited more able business partners
then the history of gangland Britain would probably have to be
rewritten.
However,
The Twins eventual downfall came about with the help of many of the
"loyal and trusted" members of their the Firm.
RISE
OF THE KRAYS, is
released on Blu-ray and DVD on August 31, 2015, courtesy of Signature
Entertainment
Amazon Links:
Rise Of The Krays [DVD]
Rise Of The Krays [Blu-ray]
