This episode explores the story of Ronnie Kray, a British thug and murderer who became a popular hero. The podcast discusses postwar British attitudes towards homosexuality and the contrast between Ronnie Kray's openly gay identity and the romanticized image of the Kray twins. It also delves into the liberalization of culture and social policy in the UK, and the complexities of Ronnie Kray's history and reception.
Ronnie Cray's identification as not a 'poof' was a performative act of demonstrating his masculinity and proving himself in a society that viewed homosexuality as shameful and weak.
The Cray twins built an expansive criminal empire through violence, intimidation, and the use of organized crime tactics, contrasting with their public image as suave gangsters.
Deep dives
Overview of the Podcast Episode
In this podcast episode, the hosts delve into the life and crimes of Ronnie Cray, a notorious British gangster from the 1950s and 60s. They explore the intersection of class, sexuality, and criminality in his story. The episode highlights how the craze for social mobility drove the twins Ronnie and Reggie to associate with higher-class individuals while still asserting their working-class masculinity. Their criminal empire and influence expanded, marked by protection rackets, violence, and controlling the club scene. The episode also discusses the potential pedophilic nature of their relationships and the notorious cover-up engineered by the British establishment. Eventually, their violent activities caught up with them, leading to arrest, trials, and imprisonment. The hosts also discuss the glamorization of the Cray twins in popular culture, emphasizing the need to recognize their violent and horrendous crimes rather than romanticizing their legacy.
Class, Criminality, and Masculinity
The podcast explores the relationship between class, criminality, and masculinity in Ronnie Cray's life. Despite his working-class background, Ronnie sought to associate with higher-class individuals, using criminal activities to gain wealth and status. His overt masculinity and physical strength were presented as proof of his toughness and power, contrasting with the stereotypes of weakness often associated with being gay. The hosts note that Ronnie's identification as not a 'puff' was a performative act of demonstrating his masculinity and proving himself in a society that viewed homosexuality as shameful and weak.
The Rise to Criminal Empire
The episode delves into the rise of the Cray twins as they built an expansive criminal empire. Starting with protection rackets, they extended their influence into the club scene, eventually acquiring the Regal Club and turning it into a popular hotspot. Their connections with prominent artists, intellectuals, and celebrities enhanced their reputation and legitimized their criminal activities. However, their empire was marked by violence, intimidations, and the use of organized crime tactics to control their territory. The hosts highlight the dichotomy between their public image as suave gangsters and the brutal reality of their crimes.
Cover-up and Glamorization
The episode sheds light on the cover-up surrounding Ronnie Cray and his relationships with prominent figures, including politicians and lords. The British establishment's complicity and refusal to investigate or prosecute the Craze twins reveal a dark side of the society at the time. The hosts discuss the glamorization of the Cray twins in popular culture, including books and films that romanticize their story. They emphasize the necessity of acknowledging the twins' violent and ruthless crimes, challenging the narrative that portrays them as folk heroes or symbols of a bygone era.
He was a a thug, a bully, and a murderer who made himself a British popular hero. He was a friend of Judy Garland and Frank Sinatra, and he once said, “I’m homosexual but I’m not a poof”. We use the deplorable story of Ronnie Kray to explore class, crime and postwar British attitudes towards homosexuality. A content note: this episode contains frank discussions of childhood sexual abuse; as such, listener discretion is advised.
