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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1,430 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,
    Maryana

    Reply

  2. Dear , Robert

    I’m truly sorry for reading up on information about you without your permission, I hope you will find it in your heart to forgive me. Please , please , please , forgive me , I don’t won’t any bad luck.

    Sincerely ,
    Janie

    Reply

    • Robert,
      I am sorry for researching you. Please take note that i was just very interested in you. I did not mean to annoy you. I mean you no disrespect. Thank You,
      Paddy

      Reply

  8. Dear Robert,
    I am sorry that I looked for you on the web. I have heard so much about you and wanted to know more. I never said or thought something bad about you. You are just interesting. Please don’t curse me or my family. Take care and find peace.?
    Love,
    Ana

    Reply

  9. Dear Robert,

    I am so sorry for researching and watching your video and did research to see what is going to happen. I didn’t know anything about you. I started crying at the end of the video and am asking for forgiveness. I’m really sorry. It’ll never happen again. I truly apologize.

    Reply

  10. Dear Robert,
    sorry that I looked at you and researched your story. I am also very sorry that I said that you were ugly and that I said other terrible things about you and that I didn’t believe. It was foolish of me and I hope you can forgive me and that you don’t put a curse on me. I wish you’ll find the peace and happiness you deserve.

    Jamie

    Reply

  11. Dear Robert,

    We are very sorry for researching you on the internet without your permission, we were interested in you after looking through the movie. We hope you find peace.

    Take care
    Daryl and Liam

    Reply

    • Dear Robert,
      I’m really really sorry for saying that you were an ugly doll and had an ugly face. I’m also really sorry for saying that you were so delicate. Please accept my true apology for insulting you. I should not have done that. Please don’t punish me or my family for my stupidity.

      Sincerely,
      krystal & billy

      Reply

  14. Dear Robert,
    Please forgive me for researching you and not asking permission from you. I’m really sorry. I got curious after watching the movie. So I looked you up at the net and your pictures. I hope you always take care, and I’m sorry again. 🙂

    Reply

  15. Robert,
    Sorry I looked at your photographs, watched YouTube video about you and researched you on the Internet, without your permission. I am sorry.

    Reply

  16. Dear Robert,
    I’m really really sorry for saying that you were an ugly doll and had an ugly face. I’m also really sorry for saying that you were so delicate. Please accept my true apology for insulting you. I should not have done that. Please don’t punish me or my family for my stupidity.
    Sincerely, Lilia

    Reply

  17. I am deeply sorry for researching you, looking at videos of you on Youtube. I am stopping now but I have already edited saying sorry on that Youtube video. Please forgive me Robert.

    Reply

  18. Hi Robert. We have researched you this afternoon to discover your story in detail. We are sorry we did this without permission from you, but you live so far away from where we live. I do hope one day you find the peace you so very much long for, and that your happiness will return to you one day. Please forgive us.
    Much resepct
    Krissy and Star

    Reply

  21. Dear Robert, maybe your spirit was created by strong love..
    I didn’t chose to live, but maybe your feeling came alife thanks to someone. I’ve been cursed
    not by you, but by fate itself. Wish i had a doll to cruddle, but when you grow up live can be hard. I did bad things but for love, i always respected it..i used to, i gave all, till i turn corrupted, i long for my past self, which will never come back.
    I hope someday you find peace.
    Luc

    Reply

  23. Robert..I do apologize but I had curiosity had to read ayour Bio and also watch the movie out… I don’t want any misfortune so with respect I have research you ..

    Reply

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