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.
I am sorry for looking at your picture without permission
-lyrra
Dear Robert,
I wish to ask your permission to do a post about you for our class blog. If anyone is to be punished, punish me, for I am the one writing the article. I am also regretting looking at pictures of you on the internet. You are probably the one whom cursed our county with endless rain, and I’m very sorry. Thanks.
~DatWhovianDoah~
Dear Robert,
I’m sorry I looked at your photograph and read an article about you without your permission. It was impolite and wrong of me. I hope you’ll forgive me.
Sincerely,
Karen
Dear Robert,
I’m sorry if I offended you by viewing your picture and reading your story without your permission. I hope you can forgive me for my curiosity.
Ricky
Sorry for researching… I mean no harm… Please forgive me.
Sorry for researching Robert I was just curious to know more about you. I meant no harm towards you and am merely just trying to better understand the world.
Andy
Dear Robert
I am sorry for reading your story and looking at your picture without your permission
Dear Robert I am sorry for looking at your picture
Dear Robert,
I did not know it was uncool to research you or look at your pics. Even though it was an interesting read and I think you are pretty unique and cool, I wish to apologize anyway so as not to anger you.
Thanks.
-M-
Dear Robert
I am so sorry for researching you and looking at your pictures without permission. I was curious to know more about you. Please forgive me.
Carolyn
dear Robert I am ever so sorry for searching you up without permission and watching youtube videos i hope you can forgive me
from katie.
I’m so, very sorry Robert. I know it was incredibly wrong of me to research into your story without even knowing you, curiosity got the best of me. I hope you can forgive me Robert.
i’m sorry for reading your story and seeing your pictures without permission. you just are very interesting.
Dear Robert, I’m sorry for watching videos and reading a stories with your Pictures. I was just curious… I hope you can forgive me.
I’m sorry Robert
sorry that i am reading about your story and watch the video about you in youtube robert , please forgive me.
thank you
Liting
I am so sorry for searching you up and looking at your picture, Please forgive me.
-Trisha
We’re sorry for looking you’re story up and looking at ur picture
I’m very superstitious so am following lead of the others. I really don’t need to add anymore negative energy around my family and I. Sorry Robert for looking at your pictures without permission.
Sincerely,
Christel
Im so sorry please forgive me I had no permission please forgive me
It was wrong of me its just in curious please forgive me
Amanda
Robert,
I’m sorry I researched you. I was just curious after hearing about you. Didn’t mean to offend you in any way.
Tearisha
Im so sorry Robert i looked u up and research u please forgive me to make peace please and thank you so much.
Dear Robert,
Sorry for researching you and looking at your pictures without permission. We hope we didn’t offend you. Please forgive us. Also, sorry for laughing – we were just very scared.
Sincerely
Maria and Holly
Dear Robert,
Sorry if I keep looking you up. I don’t mean harm to you. Please don’t curse me. I didn’t mean to harm you. May peace be with you.
Sincerely, Alex
Dear Robert I apologize for researching you and viewing your photo after my curiosity got me after hearing the story at work.. Please forgive me and may peace be with you
Dear Robert,
I am so sorry for researching you without your permission and viewing photographs of you without your knowing. Please, please forgive me for my wrongdoings.
Bronwyn
Dear Robert,
I’m sorry I researched you and looked up pictures of you without asking. I thought you were very interesting, I hope I didn’t offend
Sincerely,
Destiny
Hi Robert ,
I’m sorry I looked out up or Looked at any photos or videos, I Was just curious After watching a Popular youtuber “Twaimz” I did not mean to cause any distress.
Again, I’m very sorry and it was wrong of me to do.
-Snazz
Hi Robert,
Sorry for researching you without your explicit permission. I was curious after Twaimz watched a video of you. I hope I didn’t offend you!