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’m so sorry for looking at pictures of you without your permission. I was just curious and I’m sorry for all the blame that was put on you. You have my respect.
Sincerely,
Callum
I’m sorry for looking at your pictures Robert! I won’t do it again I promise
Dear Robert,
I am so sorry for looking at your picture online without your permission. I did not mean to disrespect you, please forgive me. Please.
Dearest Robert,
I must apologize for viewing several images of you over the years. I was not aware in advance if you did not want those specific images to be seen, and will do my best to avoid making the same mistake in the future. If it helps at all, the few photos I have come across have done a lovely job of capturing your boyish charms. I hope you can find it in your heart to forgive all these lovely people, and help make 2020 a little less dreadful.
Sincerely,
Ashley
Sorry for looking at your picture robert i just wanted to see the real you…i didnot know i needed to ask please forgive me. ….p.s. And i do believe….
I’m sorry for looking at your pictures without your permission. Please forgive me Robert
– Jordan
Sorry Robert for looking at your picture did not mean any disrespect
Dear Robert
Im so sorry because of looking at your photo online I was just curios what will happen to me pls forgive me Robert Im so sorry
Sincerely
Rae Bj Banas
Dear Robert Sorry to look at your picture without permission just wanted to know your story you look nice
sincerely, Sierra
Dearest Robert,
I extend to you my greatest apologies if I have offended you in any way. I looked at a number of photos of you but I had no malicious intent, I was curious about you as I heard so many wonderful and fascinating stories about you. I did not know that you did not consent to these pictures being taken and I am truly sorry if I have offended you, I hope you can forgive me.
Sincerely,
Frances Siega
Dear Robert,
I’m very sorry for looking at pictures of you without your permission! You’ve gone viral on Twitter and it’s really hard to avoid pictures of you but I’m doing my best. Sorry for viewing these pictures of you without asking you first, I was just doing some research. I hope you forgive me!
Sincerest apologies,
A.
Im sorry for looking at you. A picture of you went viral and I just came to apologize.
Dear Robert,
I am so sorry for looking you up online without your permission. I am just curious of who you are and how you inspire people around the world! Please forgive me for my curiosities. I mean no harm. Thank you.
Sincerely,
PAM
Dear Robert, I’m sorry for looking you up without permission. I was unaware of how you were treated and I’m sorry you took the blame for so long but hearing your story has made me think a bit differently now. No more lies and no more blaming. Please forgive me Robert. I mean no harm. And please forgive me.
Dear Robert,
I’m sorry for viewing your picture without your permission. Please forgive me and I hope you can forgive me as I meant no disrespect.
Sincerely,
Theresa
Dear Robert,
I’m so sorry for looking your photo online without permission I’m just curious who you are please forgive me.
Sincerely,
Jay
Dear Robert,
I’m sorry for looking you up online and looking you without permission. please forgive me. I’m just curious about you. please forgive me
Sincerely yours,
H
Robert, I’m sorry for looking at your photo. I mean no disrespect.
Sincerly, E
Dear Robert,
I’m sorry for looking you up online and looking you without permission. please forgive me. I’m just curious about you. please forgive me
Sincerely yours,
a curious one
Dear Robert,
Im sorry for looking you online i was just curious in who really are you
sorry robert for looking at your picture i just got curious please forgive me
Dear Robert,
I am very sorry for not introducing myself and taking a photo without your permission or thanking you. I did not mean any harm. I was purely stupid and didn’t know what I was supposed to do. This was in march several years ago. please remove the curse on me and fix my health which is horrible due to the curse. I am so sorry.
Thank you,
Jennifer C.
Robert I am so sorry for looking at your pictures online. I ask your forgiveness
Dear Robert, I’m so sorry I went online and looked at your photos without your permission, I was curious. Sorry again and I hope you will forgive me. Thank you – Sharnie
hello Robert I am not sure if you want a home to come to but there one here if you want to or if you want dance like ballroom the foxtoil swing dance tango I am not sure curse ojbents like get out their graves and dance it out with each other but it try
Yes let’s host a party for Robert
Dear Robert . I’m so sorry for looking at you without my permission . I was just curious about something like this and I didnt mean in any way to disrespect you . Please forgive me and I hope you will have an amazing rest of the day .
Me and Kristy are soo sorry We been viewing your photos online without your permission we didn’t means too . Please accept our Apologise and please forgive us
Sincerely
Cameron and Kristy
Dear Robert,
Please forgive me for looking at your picture online.
I didn’t mean to offend you.
Thank you,
Your friend
DJ Lars
Dear Robert, I am so sorry for looking at your online photos I was just curious. I am really sorry if I have offended you I didn’t mean to please forgive me Robert.
Sincerely Ellie.
Robert, please accept my apology for taking your picture while visiting you. I did ask permission but, was not sincere in my request. Please forgive me and remove your curse.
Thank you,
Paul
I’m sorry Robert for viewing your picture without your permission. Please forgive me I was just curious and meant you no disrespect. Please remove any ill will or curses.
Thank you
Curious traveler
Sorry for looking at your pictures without asking, Robert.
Well, I am apologizing to you as well Robert,… although I was not given any warning, that by my veiwing of your PHOTOGRAPH, without asking your permission, could lead to my misfortunes. Please except my apologies.. Sincerely, P. W.
Hi, Robert my name too is Robert and I wanted to apologize for all the times I viewed photos of you or if I watched videos of you. I was interested and I mean no harm or to be disrespectful. Please remove any curses upon me and from now on, if I see any videos or photos, it’ll be by accident. Thank you
I’m sorry Robert for viewing this picture and all the pictures without your permission.
Sorry robert I was curious and did not know to ask for permission please forgive me
Sincerely,
Angelica