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”

  2. Hey Robert, sorry for looking you up and seeing your picture without your permission, I saw you on weird or what and was very curious about you. I respect you and your feelings. Thank you for your time.
    -Mallory

    Reply

  3. not sure why these people are apologizing for just looking up pics and reading about this doll; you’re only cursed if you take a pic of him without permission..im paranoid about this kind of stuff and all the same comments are questionable so im going to apologize as well, im sorry robert for looking you up and looking at your pictures. curiosity got the best of me and i like a good spook. may peace be with you.

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  7. Dear Robert,

    Out of sheer curiosity, I decided to read the story about you again. But Google being the useful search engine that it is today, decided to also show me pictures of you which I quickly closed because I was afraid to be “cursed” (because I did not ask for permission upon viewing your photo).

    I write this comment with the sincerest of my apologies because I’m not taking any chances. Best of luck to you with your journey hence and adios.

    Reply

  13. Sorry Robert for viewing your pictures, videos and reading up about you, I was genuinely intrigued about you, please do not cast any bad luck on me. Yours Truly, Alex

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  14. Robert I’m sorry for looking you up, I was just curious, I hope you are not upset with me for my curiosity. I hope you are in peace with god. Love

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    • I am also sorry Robert for looking at your photos and videos. I was curious about you and was intrigued to learn more. I respect you and wish you the best of luck. P.S your sailor suit is awesome!

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    • I am very sorry for looking up your pictures Robert. My boyfriend, Frank and I were just so curious about you but we should have known to ask for your permission. Please forgive us Robert. We respect you and we meant no offense whatsoever. My boyfriends sister is also very sorry.

      -Chelsea

      Reply

  15. Sorry robert for looking at your photo and having my mother mock you please remove your curse and that is one amazing sailor suit

    Reply

  16. sorry Robert for making fun of you and looking at your photo without permission, please find it in your heart to forgive me, my cousin puneet feels the same way, this is Manraj by the way.
    my bad Robert

    Reply

  17. hahahah.. Robert i do ont give a carb about you. i look at your photo without your permission. who need permision to look at your facy ugly crab.

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  18. I’m very sorry for looking up your information, your pictures, and some of your videos. I was only just curious. I think you are very cool. I mean no offense to you whatsoever. Please forgive me, Robert.

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  20. I’m so sorry Robert. I didn’t read this until just now. I wasn’t aware of any of this. I am so very sorry Robert. Please forgive me for reading the history on you without your permission. I am very truly sorry Robert.

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  21. I’m sorry for looking and reading your documentary without your concent Robert, please forgive me, next time I will ask you if I can see and read your photos and story ;( I’m sorry…

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  23. Luid and i are very sorry robert for looking at your pictures without ur permision or reading ur history n seeing ur documentary on youtube

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  24. Dear Robert,
    I’m truly sorry for looking at your picture, some videos, and your story. I only wanted to learn more of you. I didn’t mean any harm. Please forgive me Robert.
    Yuliza

    Reply

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