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”

  2. I see a lot of apologies on here. From what I have read, there is only a curse if you TAKE his picture without permission not, for looking at one or reading an article. I think this is all crap by the way but think that the actual story (Not the Chucky doll movies), would make a hell of a film.

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  5. According to this article and another dealing with fictional movies inspired by real events, this doll is the inspiration for Chucky, the doll in the “Child’s Play” movie franchises. Did anyone notice that, in the above letter written by Cindy Lye, that after she mentions she started developing a rather severe toothache, she writes that their vacation was cut short by Hurricane Charley? Of course, one nickname for Charley(Charles) is Chucky!

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  14. Robert saw you on a tv show ..sorry for looking at your vídeos and story.Didnt mean to ofend you..sorry please forgive me hope their will be peace ..asking politely..thank you

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  15. Sorry Robert for looking at your picture. I really am interested in your story so I just had to read it. You’re way cooler than Chucky anyways. Please forgive me.

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  17. sorry for looking at your picture Robert, it was include in thr article .. i would respect you and not take your picture if you didnt want. hope you are at peace.

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  20. Going to see Robert very soon.. don’t know if I’m going to ask permission or not.. shooting with my Nikon d4.. Let’s see if they turn out or not 😉 will post pictures after the trip.

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  21. I dont know what scares me more: the Robert story or the fact that a lot of you guys suck at spelling!? My god, I dont understand half of what you people are trying to type!

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    • Of course it is irritating to try to decipher misspelled or misused words but, no one is perfect. You demonstrated these errors by misspelling don’t and not capitalizing God.

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  23. i had a doll like that at home i think we left her or burned her she was build inside from i do not remermber i was small she was moving on our eyes ,moving hands showing shadows on windows i do not know if you know but if you notice around you you can see faces of people on windows mirrors walls she was showing us sometimes this and anyway my mum was a witch and our doll tried to help us couple times when our father was coming back drunk and beat us .

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