I snapped a photo of Robert The Doll before reading that he puts curses on anyone who takes his photograph. Uh oh. Surely it’s just a myth, I thought. Curious, I began reading about the doll’s history. In 1903, Robert was given to four-year old Gene Otto, who lived in Key West. As Gene grew up he blamed everything bad that happened on the doll. By the time Gene was married, Robert had taken the blame for a lifetime of lies, misdeeds, and mischief.
Some say Robert’s face had begun to change by the time Gene died in 1974, that his eyes grew more expressive. People insisted that the doll moved around and could be heard giggling behind their backs. Many who came in contact with Robert experienced bad luck, as if the doll was getting even for all the years he had been made a scapegoat. The curse of Robert The Doll grew into such a well-known legend in Key West that whenever things went wrong, locals would simply shrug and say, “Blame it on Robert.” But Robert’s real fame came when the “Chucky” horror film series (Child’s Play, Child’s Play 2, Child’s Play 3, Bride of Chucky, Seed of Chucky, etc.) came out, as they were said to have been modeled on the real-life story of Robert the Doll.
There are many theories about why Robert behaves the way he does. Some believe it is an ancient curse. Others say it is voodoo. Still others insist that Gene Otto’s ghost has returned to the doll whom he loved so much. The museum cats seem to believe in Robert’s dark powers – they keep their distance when staring up at the glass case in East Martello Museum where Robert is enthroned. People, on the other hand, tend to doubt the legend, and have suffered the consequences. Letters scattered at Robert’s feet and tacked up on an adjacent wall are testimonials from dozens of unbelievers who were cursed by Robert The Doll, such as this one:
Since our visit to the museum, we’ve been under a dark cloud.
I began to develop a rather severe toothache. Two days later, Hurricane Charly cut our vacation short and we joined the parade of evacuees leaving the islands. We were evacuated from our vacation spot three days early with my mouth in tremendous pain. My sister-in-law was also having female health issues. We were all forced to make alternate travel arrangements on the run.
My sister-in-law lives in Clearwater. After a problem laden and horrendous trip, she finally got home, only to be evacuated from there too. She packed up her two cats and headed for her parents house in Winter Haven and ended up in the middle of the storm there. They lost power for two days.
When we arrived in Miami for our flight back to Indianapolis, the plane broke and they had to “find” a different one for us. The following day, back in Indiana, I went to the dentist to learn that my tooth had abscessed and I had to have a root canal.
Last night we had a huge thunderstorm. Our house was hit by lightning – not once, but TWICE! We were unplugging things, but not fast enough. We lost three TV’s and a large satellite dish. The first hit, which sounded like a gunshot in the house, took one large TV and the satellite dish, and the second hit got two more TV’s. Again, the sound was horribly frightening.
Please do me a favor and tell Robert that we did not mean to anger or offend him and we’re sorry if we did. His photo did turn out good, so he sat very nicely for me. Would he like it back?
Yours sincerely,
Cindy Lyons
Battle Ground, Indiana
As for me, well, Robert and I were introduced several days ago and so far I’ve suffered no ill effects. But then, I’m not taking any chances. Like the cats, I choose to believe.
Dear Robert I’m soooooo ssssoooorrrrrrrry for looking that you story and photos pleas forgive me
Thank you
Robert I’m Deeply sorry I did not as permission to view your pictures please forgive me.
I am so, so sorry Robert for so rudely looking at your picture without asking for permission.Thank you for your forgiveness. I really appreciate it. Again, I am so truly sorry.
Robert we are so sorry for viewing you picture without your consent! My sisters and I were just very curious about your story! We are forever sorry again!
Dear Robert I’m sincerely sorry for viewing your photos and information without your permission, please forgive me.
Dear Robert
I’m so sorry for viewing your photo without your permission, i was just interested in your story, please forgive me! I really didn’t mean too!
Ever so sorry
Dear Robert,
I’m sorry for looking At your photo. Please know that I do believe in you and I was just curious about you. Please forgive me.
A.S
Dear Robert,
It has come to my attention that I have viewed your story and picture without your consent. I hereby apologize for my actions and ask for forgiveness, I do not mean any harm or offense to you Robert. Words will not express how grateful I will be when you forgive me for my mistake. I was just curious, please understand.
Dear Robert,
I’m very sorry for viewing your picture. I didn’t know it was gonna pop up. In fact, when I first saw it I tried not to look for too long and scrolled down immediately. I was just curious because I was reading an article that mentioned a curse and I clicked on a link that brought me here. Please forgive me. I’m very sorry.
Robert
I’m sorry for looking at you’re picture please forgive me Im just curieouse and love learning about haunted dolls
Im so sorryfor viewing your page i was very curious and stupid please forgive Robert. IM SORRY!!!????????????????????????.
i’m sorry for viewing you without permission. i’m am deeply sorry
I’m very sorry robert. I hope you can forgive me
My apologies Robert, for I may have unwittingly viewed your photo without your consent. May I be forgiven if such a trespass occurred.
Sincerely Yours,
Robert
Robert,
I am very sorry for seeing a picture of you without permission. I accidently viewed your photo as my friend was looking at some information. I ask for your forgiveness, for I am very sorry.
Robert,
I’m very sorry for viewing your photo without permission. I was just so curious about who you were. I apologize and swear never to do it again. Please Forgive me!
Rex
Robert,
I am sorry for looking at your photo’s without your permission I was curious about what you looked like. Please accept this apology.
Sincerely, Susan
Robert,
I am sorry for looking at your photos without your permission and for being curious about you.
Again, I am very sorry.
Hello Robert. I’m so sorry for looking at your picture without your permission. I didn’t want to offend you or anger you. Forgive me because i was curious about you. Please forgive me
yours sincerely,
arum
Ive never seen Robert before but will they ever make a movie about Robert?
they did a annabelle but no Robert!
P.S. Im sorry Robert for not asking you to look at picture and using your name. Im sorry Robert.
your sincerely: Leslie
Hi Robert,
Sorry for not asking your permission before looking at your photos and reading/watching videos about you – I was only curious about you. Please forgive me and thank you!
hey Robert I’m sorry for being belligerent and showing up and taking pictures and selfies without your permission please life the curse from my home.
Im sorry aswell for looking at your picture i was just intreaged about how cool you where robert and i wanted to know more im sorry for not asking your permision robert please forgive me
Sorry for looking at your photo Robert without your permission wanted to know more about you! Again I’m very sorry!
Also I’m sorry for reading about you, all I beg for is for you to forgive me.
Robert,
I’m sorry for viewing pictures and videos of you please forgive me for not asking. But will you please let me view them I’m just very interested in the story and I’m not trying to mock you or anything, thank you.