The Curse Of Robert The Doll

by

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. Dear Robert ,

    My cousin told me the story about you and i was fascinated , thus i looked you up on the internet , i apologize i did so without your permission , please forgive me . thank you .

    Reply

    • Hi Robert,
      I’m sorry for being disrespectful and looking at your pictures and history without your permission. I was curious about you and Otto.
      I’m sorry if I offended you.
      -jer

      Reply

  3. Dear Robert,
    I apologise for looking at your picture without your permission. I was curious about the story. Please forgive me. I will not do it again.

    Reply

  4. Dear Robert,
    I’m am sorry for looking you up on the internet without your permission.i am also sorry for sending your picture and story to my uncle. I am deeply sorry. Take care

    Reply

  6. Dear Robert, I’m sorry for looking up pictures and information about you, I did not realise I needed your permission. Please forgive me.

    Reply

  8. Sorry for reading about your story and looking at yoir pictures without your permission Robert.
    I was just curious.
    I am so very sorry and will not look up anymore about you without first asking your permission!
    All the best
    Catherine

    Reply

  9. I was not aware that I could not view your picture or research your story via internet. I saw you on TV and became fascinated with your story. I do not mean any harm. Please forgive me.
    Thanks

    Reply

  10. Hello Robert,
    We are deeply sorry for looking into your story and pictures online without your permission. We meant no disrespect and have nothing but the deepest respect and admiration for you.
    Take care.

    Reply

    • Hi Robert, I am very sorry for researching about you, as i was very fascinated by your story. I did not realize that viewing your photo and researching you was disrespectful to do without your permission. I promise that i will never research you again without your permission. You are extremely handsome Robert and i wish best of luck to all of you. Thanks for understanding Robert.

      Reply

  11. Robert, I’m very sorry for looking at your picture and reading your story without you permission, I did not mean to offend you. I was just curious about you.
    -Liz

    Reply

  12. Dear Robert,
    I am so very sorry that I viewed your photos and read people’s apology letters to you without your permission. I was fascinated by your story and did not mean any harm. Please accept my sincerest apologies, I don’t want any trouble. Again, so sorry if I’ve upset you and I hope you have a wonderful day.
    -John

    Reply

  13. Dear Robert,
    I am sorry for looking you up the internet without your permission. I did not mean to disrespect you. Please forgive me.
    Sincerely,
    Vanessa

    Reply

  14. Dear Robert,
    Thank you for an amazing story. I would like to apologize for not asking permission from you. Unbeknownst to me for looking at pictures of you. I wish you the best of luck in your life.

    Sincerely your, Joe Dodge

    Reply

  15. Dear Robert, I’m extremely sorry for looking you up as I was not aware that looking at your pictures and reading about your life was considered disrespectful. I sincerely hope you accept my apology. I wish you all the best.

    Reply

  16. Dear Robert,

    I deeply apologize for searching, looking, and watching about you without your permission, I did not know about this till now. I ask of your acceptance for my apology, please.

    I give you many thanks.

    Reply

  17. Dear Robert,

    I thought your life story was interesting, and decided to further investigate to learn about you. I didn’t realize that VIEWING your picture was considered disrespectful, only that your permission was needed before I took a picture of you. I am sorry if I have caused you any disrespect as that was not the intention. Please forgive my misstep, and accept my sincere apologies. I mean no disrespect. In fact, I’d like to offer a compliment to you on how well you have aged, and also on your adorable stuffed animal.

    Please forgive me, and do not share a curse.

    Many thanks.
    Dawn

    Reply

    • Dear Robert i did not realize that viewing your pictures was considered disrepectful. I wanted to learn more about you and did not mean to disrespect you in anyway.

      Thank you- Grady

      Reply

  18. Dear Robert,
    I was unaware I couldn’t look at pictures of you I’m truly very sorry I meant no disrespect. Take care.
    -V.S.

    Reply

  21. Dear Robert,
    I am really sorry for looking at you pictures with out your permission.
    I really didn’t know that because it is said that you curse only the people who took your pictures.
    I meant no disrespect and i ask for your forgiveness.

    Reply

  22. Dear Robert;

    I’m very sorry that I looked you up on tje internet without permission. I was curious about your story. I was unaware that I needed your permission before looking at your pictures and I never mesnt to disrespect you.
    Please, forgive me.

    Thank you
    Take care
    Sofia

    Reply

  23. Dear Robert,

    I was interested in your history and wanted to learn more about you and your story. I meant no form of disrespect by looking up you and your pictures online and I am truly sorry if I have offended you. I take you very seriously and am deeply, sincerely sorry if I’ve upset you in any way. Please forgive me.

    Sincerely,
    Rhi

    Reply

  24. Dear Robert,

    I believe in curses because I am a witch, however if read correctly, you curse people who take a photo of you without your consent. I have taken no pictures of you therefore, the spell that governs your curse is incomplete. I will say this much though, I admire the practitioner who created you per say. Sadly, I do not believe you should have to be punished for said practitioner’s personal agendas. I would be angry if I were trapped in a doll too.
    Please forgive all the inconsiderate and unknowing souls who mean you now offense, myself included.

    Reply

  25. I’m very sorry for make if fun of you Robert and not get permission to your picture to you forgive me thank I will never act like this.

    Reply

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