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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1,426 thoughts on “The Curse Of Robert The Doll”

  1. Im so sorry Robert I didn’t mean to look I came on here to see information online I didn’t know they posted a picture on here I’m so so so sorry please don’t curse me.

    Reply

    • (doing this here cuz idk how in any other way)

      Dear Robert,

      PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE don’t curse me!!! I’m sorry for looking at your pictures online without permission… I ask for it ahead of time, though, since I’m watching a video of you and I really wanna see how it ends. Please understand where I’m coming from…

      Sincerely, Adeline (AKA Aiko)

      Reply

  3. Robert,
    I’m unsure if my other comment came through, but I’m aware of the curse. Please don’t curse my family and if you really want to curse someone, do it to me not them. I love them too much to see them suffer. I’m deeply sorry for looking at you, I saw it on YouTube. I wanted to get more information to see if this was real but now I’m actually getting goosebumps. I’m going to click off the video I’m seeing you on as it’s completely disrespecting you. I never showed you to them but I did warn them we might get cursed..

    Reply

  4. Robert,
    I’m deeply sorry for looking into your eyes and looking this up. Please don’t come for me!! I am just a person who loves creepy things. Not saying that you’re creepy. I found you from a new video uploaded by Sam and Colby on youtube. I won’t take a picture of you for your privacy and wanting.
    -Brooke

    Reply

  9. Dear Robert,

    I am very sorry for looking a pictures and videos of you and sharing them with my step mom without your permission please forgive me

    Joel

    Reply

  10. Dear Robert,
    I’m very sorry for looking at a video of you and pictures while figuring out what to do to lift the curse please forgive me.

    Tiffany

    Reply

  11. Robert,
    I am so sorry for not asking permission before looking at your pictures online and sharing them with my family and friends. I hope you can forgive me.

    Alyssa

    Reply

  12. Dear Robert,

    I am so sorry for not seeking your permission before looking at your picture online. I wasn’t aware of the curse. I am sorry ,I Hope you can forgive me.

    Reply

  13. Dear Robert,

    I deeply apologize for looking at your photos online and sharing them with my family as well. Please forgive me.

    Tyler

    Reply

  15. dear Robert

    I am sincerely sorry for viewing and looking at you and your pictures without consent, please forgive me, I have a lot of respect for you and I never want to make you upset or angry, thank you.

    Jayme.

    Reply

  16. Dear Robert,

    I wanted to apologize for looking at your picture without your permission. I wasn’t aware of the curse and I hope that you can forgive me. Have a great day!

    Sincerely,
    Daryon

    Reply

  18. Dear Robert, I most sincerely apologize for viewing your picture without your permission. I was not aware of the curse that is placed, I again apologize for viewing your photo. I hope you can forgive my carelessness.

    Gabriel

    Reply

  19. Dear Robert,
    I’m sorry Robert, Please forgive me for looking pictures online without your permission, once again I’m sorry Robert.

    Reply

  20. Dear Robert,

    I am sorry for looking at photos of you online. Please forgive me. I promise not to do it again.

    Sincerely,

    Jason

    Reply

  21. Dear Robert ,
    Im so sorry for looking at your photo online without your permission , please spare me and just know that I have an appreciation for you and have always been interested in you .
    Thank you for listening and I hope you forgive me !
    Millie

    Reply

  22. Dear Robert,
    Please forgive me for looking at photos at you online. I’m not sure if that’s part of the curse or if I would have to take the photos myself to get bad luck, but still. I’m very sorry Robert, please remove any bad luck. I was curious. I’m sorry Robert.
    Sincerely and humbly,
    Ezra

    Reply

  24. Dear Robert,

    I hope you are doing well. Please consider placing a curse on the tyrant Vladimir Putin for his crimes against humanity. Long live Ukraine! ?

    Reply

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