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 so sorry for looking at you in the eyes without your permission. I did not know the rules before I looked at you and I do not mean any harm or disrespect in any way. You are a handsome boy and I hope you are doing well wherever you are. Much love Robert.
Dearest Robert,
I am truly sorry for any disrespect I have shown you. I know not whether it was ok for me to look at you, regardless of eye contact. I do not wish to test fate today. Robert, you are a handsome boy, and I hope you will find it in your heart to allow me, friends, and family to be curse-free. Thank you.
Dear Robert,
Sincerely apologize for disrespectingly looking at or staring into your photo I do not accept any cursed energy thank y oh for listing to my side of the story
Dear Roberts,
I’m so sorry for staring into your picture please I don’t want to die or get sick or cursed.Please don’t let me,my family or friends get cursed
Dear Robert,
I am so sorry for looking at you without permission on the internet, I didn’t know the rules when I originally did. I’m very sorry that I looked without asking, please forgive me. Thank you for reading.
dear robert,
i sincerely apologize for looking at you without permission, i wanted to learn more about you and didn’t know there was a picture of you, and i also saw you in a youtube video, i did not mean to disrespect you. i’m very sorry again.
truly,
evie
I am sorry for looking into your eyes without permission. A photograph of you is toward the top of this blog page and I was not aware of it. I sincerely hope you may find me worthy of forgiveness for having seen the photo of you without your permission and know that I have respect for you.
Robert – if your reading this, you know we all seen you today… looked at your picture and your eyes…is this page a set up? Why the photo at the top, as soon as you open it? I hope you understand, I mean no harm.. only wanted to hear your story ?? I hope wherever you are, whatever your doing… you are happy ? much love and my apologies for looking at your photo/into your eyes without permission
Dear Robert,
I am so very sorry for the accidental glance I made without permission! I did not realize there was a picture of you at the beginning of the article. I was learning more about you! You deserve the respect! Please forgive me.
Dear Robert,
I am so sorry for the accidental glance I made without permission! I truely did not realise there was a picture of you on this article, I was just trying to learn and education myself about you! Please forgive any disrespect I have shown towards you!
Dear Robert,
I am so very sorry for the accidental glance I made without permission! I did not realize there was a picture of you at the beginning of the article. I was learning more about you! You deserve the upmost respect! Please forgive me.
I’m sorry for looking into your eyes Robert without your permission. I wasn’t cautious about the video I saw about you and I hope you can forgive me. Again, I’m so sorry
Dear Robert,
I am sorry for looking into your eyes without permission. A photograph of you is toward the top of this blog page and I was not aware of it. I sincerely hope you may find me worthy of forgiveness for having seen the photo of you without your permission and know that I have the utmost respect for you.
Dear Robert
I am sorry for looking at you without permission, i didnt know but now i do, i will never do anything like this again, please forgive me and my family, i am only 12, i hope you have a great day or night
I am sorry Robert for looking at your picture without asking for permission first
Dear Robert,
I am sorry for looking at you without your permission in the Sam & Colby video. I respect you very much. Please forgive me.
Dear Robert I’m so sorry for looking at you in the Sam and Colby video I am only 11 and I don’t me or any of my loved ones to have something bad happen to us plz forgive me I shouldn’t have watched the video
Dear Robert the doll,
Recently, I watched a video made by Sam and Colby. When they showed you I didn’t know about the curse and was disrespectful when looking at
You. I sincerely apologize for my actions and would plead that you don’t curse me or my amazing family. I hope you consider forgiving me and have a good day or night.
Sincerely,
Madelynn
Dear Robert the doll,
I sincerely apologize for watching you on a video by Sam and Colby. I did not mean any disrespect and how you accept my sincere apologies. I hope you live a long and fulfilling after life. Please don’t curse me or my family. Have a good night or day.
Sincerely,
The winters
Dear Robert
I am sorry that I took a glimpse of you without asking your permission. I will never do this again. I am very young, please forgive me
I’m sorry for looking at ur picture without permission have a good day and u expire me.
Dear Robert the Doll,
I’m deeply sorry for looking at your dick. It turns me so on that i cant stop looking at this 30 cm monster.
(I’m deeply sorry for looking into your eyes. May God protect us!)
Dear Robert,
i aint sorry for looking into your eyes without permission.
Mike Coxlong
Sorry for looking at your picture Robert without asking for permission first. I ask for your forgiveness. I hope this comment finds you well.
Dear Robert, I’m so sorry for searching up your photo online!!! Please forgive me. I’m only 10 years old and I already have enough problems!! I’m also sorry I showed your photo to my friends and called you creepy. You actually look pretty cool!! Please, please forgive me, I’ll never do it again…
I’m sorry for looking at you Robert I didn’t know you took offense to it. Please forgive me I am visiting you soon.
Sincerely
Mandy
Im so sorry for catching a glimpse of you again Robert I please hope you can forgive me sincerely. Have a good day
I’m sorry Robert my friend I hope you have a good day I’m sorry for seeing you without your permission
Robert I loved all the pictures I have looked at of you I don’t want any illness or death coming to me I will never look at a picture of you again without asking you
dear Robert, im so sorry for looking at your photo in the the Sam and Cosby please forgive me i don’t wanna die or get sick. I shouldn’t of even looked you up and watched the video
I am so sorry for catching a glimpse at you without your permission,Robert,please forgive me.
Robert I am very sorry for what has been done to you and im also sorry for catching a glimpse of you in a video, we love you so much and want to ask you may we have forgiveness from you and not let anything bad happen I beg for forgiveness, I will never take a photo of you ever, we are sorry about what happend.
Robert I am very sorry for what has been done to you and im also sorry for catching a glimpse of you in a video, we love you so much and want to ask you may we have forgiveness from you and not let anything bad happen I beg for forgiveness, I will never take a photo of you ever, we are sorry about what happened, please I beg do not let me or my friends or family or loved ones get cursed and hurt.
Sincerely, haley.
I’m ever so sorry Robert.
I took a picture. I’m so sorry I’m just 13. I don’t wanna die or get sick. Nothing even happened yet and I’m scared. I’ll delete it right away!!
Im so sorry For getting a glimpse of you Robert on YouTube i am only 12 and i dont wanna die and Be sick im very sorry pls forgive me