The Curse Of Robert The Doll

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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.

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Robert The Doll is on display at the East Martello Museum and Fort in Key West

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

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Hundreds of letters have been sent to the Museum by visitors who beg Robert’s forgiveness and ask him to remove his curse

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.

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1,434 thoughts on “The Curse Of Robert The Doll”

  1. Dear Robert,

    Sorry I looked at your photographs, watched the film about you and researched you on the Internet, all without meeting you or gaining your permission. It was wrong of me, and I am sorry for doing it.
    Please, forgive me.
    Sincerely,
    Penelope

    Reply

  2. Dear Robert,

    Sorry I looked at your photographs, watched the film about you and researched you on the Internet, all without meeting you or gaining your permission. It was wrong and I am sorry for doing it.
    Sincerely,
    Penelope

    Reply

  4. Dear Robert,
    My boyfriend Kyle and I are very sorry as well that we viewed your photo. We wish that everything good happens to you. I’m sorry again.

    Reply

  7. Robert,

    PLEASE forgive me for reading about you and looking at your pictures without permission. My family has experienced so much bad luck and I need you to forgive me.

    Sincerely,
    Meagan

    Reply

  9. I am sorry Robert for looking at your picture without your permission.
    I will not let it ever happen again. I do not want to show and disrespect or offend you at all. I apologize again Robert.

    Reply

  10. Hi Robert 🙂

    I’m very sorry without your permission by viewing your photos and reading your story without your permission as I did not mean too please forgive me I beg you It won’t happen again

    Reply

  11. Hey Robert you are awsome and i am asking for forgiveness for looking at your pictures and posting one without permission it was because your interesting and cool forgiveness please

    Reply

  13. I’m sorry for looking at videos about you and reading about your story. In due respect, I was curious about you and wanted to know more.

    Please forgive me.

    Reply

  15. Hello Robert,

    Please forgive me – I have been reading about you and looking at photographs without your permission.

    Thanks,
    Matt

    Reply

  16. Robert,

    I am very sorry I mocked you and didn’t ask your permission to take your picture when my wife and I visited you 4 years ago. Since then we have lost just about everything. We are small business owners and lost about 95% of our business, we have both had health issues surface and many other terrible things have happened. My wife has told me many times to write to you and apologize for my rudeness and disbelief and I am now doing so. I am really sorry for my behavior while visiting you. I meant no disrespect. Please forgive me and remove your curse from us. Thank you.

    JB

    Reply

  17. Robert,
    Im really srry for looking up your story and your pictures i just wanted to no more about u. my apologies i just wanted to no more about u.
    Love always,
    jenny

    Reply

  20. Dear Robert,

    I am so sorry I have looked at your story and photos without asking permission first. It was very foolish of me, I do hope you forgive me. With all due respect, you truly are interesting. Again, my apologies, I meant no harm.

    Yours truly,

    Alejandra

    Reply

  21. Dear Robert,

    I am sorry for looking at your photo and story without permission. You seem very interesting and I had a passion to learn about you. Please forgive my curiosity.

    Thanks,
    AH

    Reply

  22. Dear Robert,

    I am sorry I looked at your story and photos without permission. I do apologize greatly and hope you do forgive me. You are such a lovely doll with a lovely story, you have caught my attention and had to know more. I am sorry again.

    Reply

  23. Robert, I am extremely sorry for looking at your picture without permission.
    I beg for your forgiveness, I was just interested in your story.
    I did not want to mock you or humiliate you in any way.
    Please forgive me, I am sorry for my disrespect.

    Reply

  25. Dear Robert,

    i’m truly sorry for looking at your story without your permission and i’m sorry for readuing your story. I hope nothing bad happens to me im truly sorry robert and by the way you look really handsome in that picture. Sorry.

    Sincearly,
    Laura

    Reply

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