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,

    I am sorry for looking at your pictures and researching about you, i did it out of curiosity and i never wished you any harm, only that you forgive me and all the wrongs I’ve done.

    Mena

    Reply

  3. I was comparing you to Annabelle the doll and I just found out that you don’t like all the pictures and the attention. I’m sorry. Forgive me. Rest In Peace

    Reply

  4. I’m sorry Robert for reading about your history and searching up pictures of you without permission, your really interesting to learn about ,I just ask for your forgiveness I’m so sorry please forgive

    Sincerely
    Jennifer

    Reply

  6. Robert I am so sorry that I have been researching you I didn’t know you didn’t like it please forgive means don’t cursed please

    Reply

  9. I am so super sorry for looking at your pictures and researching about you Robert. It’s just you are so awesome and you interest me very much. Once again I am so sorry. Please forgive me.

    Reply

  11. Sorry Robert for looking at your pictures without permission and why well because your story is great and i like to research a lot of things.

    Reply

  18. Robert, I’m so sorry for researching you and looking at your pictures. I had no idea that you didn’t like that. I just think you are really intriguing. please forgive me.

    Reply

  21. Dear Robert, I’m sorry I began reasearching you and looking at your pictures without your permission, I did it out of curiousity, as I plan to visit Florida one day
    ~With best regards, McKensey

    Reply

  24. Robert ,
    Sorry for looking at your pictures and researching you,I was only curious to learn more after reading about you in a book.Please accept my apology.
    Sincerely,
    Clyde

    Reply

  25. Robert I am sorry for researching you, it was just out of curiosity. Peace be with you, I’m sorry I didn’t get your permission first.
    Sincerely, Sabrina

    Reply

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