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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The Curse Of Robert The Doll

1,400 thoughts on “The Curse Of Robert The Doll”

  1. I\’m so sorry for watching videos about you, looking at photos about you, and researching you but I was so interested in you that I wanted to do a project on you and your story.

    Reply

  2. Kori and i are truly sorry Robert please forgive us for not asking for your permission to read about you and watch your movie and looking at your photos . … hope all is well thanks again

    Reply

  3. Dear Robert
    I apologize for researching you without your permission. I didn’t realize it would make you angry. Have a nice day!

    Reply

  5. Dear Robert, I came across your story and I was interested in finding out more about you. I am so sorry for researching your name without your permission, I ask you for your forgiveness.
    Much love, Paula.

    Reply

  6. Dear Robert, I am really sorry for watching your videos and researching about your story. I came across your story through listening to a podcast and found it intresting. Forgive me for looking you up without permission and invading your privacy. Hope all is well!

    Reply

  8. Robert I am really sorry for watching a video about you without permission I was just having many questions I did not know that you also suffered from lies and cruelty I wish that you could be happy again

    Reply

  9. Jovany

    Dear robert I watched a movie about you about a week ago. When I finished watching the movie I was intrested in finding more about you, so I looked you up. I thought you could only curse of we took a picture of you without permission, Then I saw all the coments of apolegie. I knew there was a posability something might happend, but I did not want to belive it would happen. A week has passed and my wife and daughter have left me please remove the curse. Please forgive me.
    sincerely

    Reply

  10. Dear Robert The Doll,
    I Am Sorry For Searching, Reading, & Looking At Your Pictures. I Was Reading About Annabelle & You Came Up, I Just Find Your Story So Interesting & I Believe It. Well Take Care Robert.
    Sincerely Leslie.

    Reply

  12. Dear rober,
    I apologize for researching on you without your permission. I am just curious on how your story came to be. I am really sorry again for also looking at your pictures. Please forgive me.
    From, Melissa

    Reply

  13. im sorry robert for researching about you in the internet without your permission i didn’t mean any disrespect for invading your privacy.

    Reply

  14. Dear Robert Iam very sorry for looking at your pictures and reading up about you I really do respect your privacy and I hope you can forgive me I’m sorry and I’ll never do it again. Have a good day Robert!

    Reply

  17. Dear Robert
    I am sorry for researching and watching videos about you I just find your story interesting i do not mean to invade your privacy

    Reply

  21. Sorry for looking at your photos and searching your history, I was just curious and I want to know the origins of the movie “Child’s play” especially Chucky the doll.

    PS: I’m not competing with your ability to curse but I’m a real life Witch devoted to the Queen of the Witches Hecate, It would be difficult if you curse me since I’m a Witch.

    Reply

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