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.
Dear Robert, I am sorry for reading about you and looking at your picture. I meant no disrespect and was only doing it bc I was interested in learning about you. Please Forgive me, it will not happen again.
Robert, I’m sorry that you continue to be investigated and ridiculed. My apologies to you and I will not research you again.
I watched a documentary about you Robert and did a little bit of research as I was interested in you. I haven’t had my picture taken with you but If I had, I would have asked you permission first. I apologise if watching a documentary about you or researching you has offended you. I believe in curses and do not wish to be cursed. Once again, please forgive me and I will not research information about you again.
Thank you
dear Robert,
i will never research you again. my mistake, have peace, that will never happen again! my fault.
Dear Robert,
I am so sorry for looking at your picture without your picture & watching documentaries about you without permission, I’m sorry for the disrespect my family have caused you, I have already noticed things going wrong and I hope you can forgive me.
Sorry and thank you.
Are you serious? I’m very curious if these aren’t all jokes. I would honestly love to know about it. Thank you
I am sorry Robert for all I have done
Dear Robert
I am sorry for everything that I have done
I hope you can forgive me
Wow why don’t u call him “God”?
How dumb are u guys it’s a doll
Dear Robert
I sincerely apologize for reading about you. You’re an interesting subject. Forgive me please
Dear Robert Iam sorry for reading your story without your permission I will never come to the museum and take pictures or disrespect you without your permission
Sincerest appologies
Joey Grixti
Robert,
My sincerest apologies for searching your pictures. I can assure you that I will not look you up again, look at any other photos or save any photos of you. I was simply curious about your story and I certainly do not wish to offend or anger you. I hope and pray you can find peace one day, wherever that may be.
Robert, i am sorry for looking at your pictures and reading your story without your permission. I think you’re really interesting, i didn’t mean to hurt you or bother you.
Please, take my sincerely apologies.
Robert, i’m really sorry for searching pictures of you without your permission.
I really do, i believe in you.
My sincerely apologies for you, Robert.
Dear Robert,
I wanna take the chance to apologize for searching you and looking through your pictures without your permission. I will not do so again, I promise. I’m sorry for the hand you were delt and I can only wish you peace. Please forgive me for my lack of respect Robert.
Dear Robert
My sisters and I are sorry for knowing your stories and looking your pictures without permission .
I hope you will forgive us .
Dear Robert , I’m so sorry for looking at your photos and searching your stories without your permission. I hope you will forgive me and I respect and do believe in you .
Thank you
Dear Robert’s anti-fans,
Get a grip. And maybe some counseling.
Dear robert, I am extremely sorry for looking at pictures and videos of you without your permission. I hope you are able to forgive me.
Dear Robert I wonder if your lonely I hope one day you will have peace and love and I hope you can have a new family hope your fine your cool and awsome.
Robert, so sorry if i disrespected you by reading and looking at pictures on your story. Didn’t mean to bother you, hope you can find peace. thank you.
Robert, I truly apologize for not asking your permission to take your picture before doing so. I thought I did ask your permission, but I’m not 100% sure and so I desperately want to beg for your forgiveness. Things have not gone so well for me since returning home. I hope that you’ll find it in your heart to forgive me.
Thank you.
David
Robert,
I’m sorry for invading your privacy. I found you interesting and wanted to learn more. I’m sorry I looked at your pictures and videos without your permission.
Robert, so sorry if i disrespected you by reading and looking at pictures on your story. Didn’t mean to bother you, hope you can find peace. thank you.
I also apologize Robert for not asking permission, on looking at and reading your story, I respect your privacy. do not want any harm to me or my family, please forgive me.
Dear Robert, I only thought that you didn’t want your picture taken without permission. If looking up your story and photo’s is upsetting to you, I sincerely apologize. I respect your privacy and ask for your forgiveness, if I have offended you.
Most Sincerely,
Lee Hong meng
Sorry Robert for watching the video without your permission,hope you will forgive me!
Sincerely
Robert I am sorry for looking at pictures and researching you I was really interested in you your really interesting and awesome, I thought it was bad luck to just take pics of you but I believe and I want to apologize for any wrong doing I might have done but as I was looking and reading on you I was completely drawn to you I hope one day I can come meet you, hope you find peace and are loved by many
give Robert a s7 phone that stays on a charger
Dear robert, I want to apologize for war Hong your video before getting permission. Hope you van find peace one day.