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”

  7. Robert: it seems apologies are in order. I did look up and read further upon seeing your picture. No screen shots were taken; however. Trust me, I’ve had enough bad luck lately and don’t need anymore. I humbly ask your forgiveness for choosing to view a picture of you that may have been taken without your permission. I respect all forms of religion and believe in all forms of good and evil. Here’s to hoping I’ve not stirred up anything I shouldn’t or don’t want to be a party to.

    To the smart ass replying to some of the posts as Robert….I’m not sure if that’s a good idea. But hey. You only live once right?!

    Reply

  9. Robert,
    I am sorry to have read this without your permission. I have visited you in person a few years ago (January 2013) and my life has been in shambles since. I am looking for a way to apologize to you fir taking your picture so these terrible things stop happening to myself and the ones I love. Please forgive me! I am utterly sorry for disrespecting you.
    Sarah

    Reply

  11. Dear Robert

    I am sorry for looking you up without your permission.

    Please do not harm me or any of my friends and family.

    Yours sincerely

    Robert

    Reply

  12. Dear Robert I am so sorry I looked you up without your permission please do not harm me I ask for forgiveness.

    Sincerely Falak Alam

    Reply

  14. Dear Robert,

    I am extremely sorry for associating with your presence without permission of the owner of your personal space(A.K.A. Robert). Please do not place harm upon me and the people I am associated with. I ask for forgiveness, please.

    Reply

  16. Dear Robert, I terribly sorry for looking you up without your permission, I was just browsing the Internet and came across your extrodonary life and history and have become very interested! If this has offended you in any way, again I’m sorry!
    Please forgive me
    David and Emily
    Bendigo, Australia

    Reply

  17. Hello My dear Robert, i met you in Key west..Beautiful and so great to see you. I had a long talk with you and im happy i was able to, and asked if that was ok!…I came back again to see you and asked for u to help me and i still hope in your honor its ok with you!!..Although i didnt realize i took a video at the tour the first night on my phone and didnt ask if that was ok ,as the tour guide was talking..I truly apologize for this and beg for u to forgive me and remove any curse. I believe in you, and care for you!..I know u are very real and ANYONE that does not believe in u, shame on them! I am sorry i looked u up again, i hope that was ok, i wanted to see more of u and so proud to have met u, and i ask and apologize if its ok i shared my great happy experience with u.. I also met one of the beautiful ladies their with a sore wrist shes’s awesome and glad to have met her too..Keep up the great work and Keep well, You are so awesome. My well wishes are with u, my sweet friend Robert, handsome and strong!..With Love Marlynn xoxoxoxoxox..Thank u in advance and deeply sorry if i offended u, ..Thank u again with Love from me.

    Reply

  18. I am sorry Robert for looking you up. But my cousin sent me a link to this website I am sorry for looking at you without permission.
    Sinceirly, Nataly

    Reply

  19. Robert please forgive me for looking you up, I am very interested in your history, and wanted to know about the famous film made about you. I have not experienced anything but I just want to say sorry!

    Reply

  20. This is retarded and bullshit. Robert the doll can SLOB on my KNOB. Believing in curses would also mean you believe in the supernatural, ghosts, angels, gods, devils, etc. it’s all myth to scare you simple minded morons..

    Reply

  22. Dear Robert,
    I apologize for looking you up and informing myself about your story without your permission. I find your story quite interesting and wanted to learn more about it. I thought the curse was only applied for pictures I had no bad intentions and in fact would like to meet you someday. Please accept my apology.
    Thanks.

    Reply

  25. Please forgive me Robert for looking you up without permission. I was just curious and interested in your story please forgive me

    Reply

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