The Curse of the Robert Dowll is a haunting and mysterious legend that has captivated the imaginations of people around the world. The story revolves around a Scottish merchant named Robert Dowll, who became cursed after displaying a statue of a demon in his home. According to the legend, anyone who possesses or comes into contact with this cursed statue will face a series of unfortunate events and ultimately meet a tragic end. The curse is said to extend beyond just the statue itself. It is believed to be a malevolent force that follows anyone who has encountered the statue, causing misfortune and despair in their lives. The curse is said to manifest itself in various ways, ranging from financial ruin to deteriorating health, and even unexplained accidents or deaths.
Eugene Otto and one of his paintings. Image: Robertthedoll.org
Throughout the doll s existence in the Otto house, he was said to have vanished multiple times; and for prolonged periods when the house changed hands. Schoolchildren who became aware of this legend, said the doll would appear and disappear by the window, causing many local youngsters to give the house a wide berth.
The curse is said to manifest itself in various ways, ranging from financial ruin to deteriorating health, and even unexplained accidents or deaths. Many who have encountered the curse claim to have experienced strange occurrences and inexplicable incidents in their lives. Some report hearing eerie whispers or seeing shadowy figures around them, while others claim to have nightmares or vivid visions of their impending doom.
I Visited a Notoriously Haunted Doll, and Bad Luck Followed Me Everywhere
I'm a relatively superstitious person. I would never walk on someone's grave in a cemetery, I believe in ghosts, and I'm careful to not walk under any ladders. So while I was on my honeymoon in Key West recently and heard about a ghost tour that involved Robert the Doll — a famously haunted doll that brings bad luck to those who visit him — I was pretty intrigued.
For an inanimate object, Robert is pretty well-known. He's been featured on several TV shows and is even toted around to various conventions that center on the occult. Eager to see what all the fuss was about, my husband, Chris, and I booked a tour with a company called Ghosts & Gravestones, which included a stop at the Fort East Martello Museum where Robert resides. While the tour was awesome, our brief encounter with Robert was . . . less than ideal. Why? Well, because he "haunted" me for about 36 hours afterwards.
Related:In order to understand the full extent of this, it's important to know Robert's sordid past. Originally given as a gift to Eugene Otto, an author and painter, by his grandfather in 1904, the two were instantly inseparable. It's said that Robert the Doll's outfit was even modeled after one Eugene wore. As a boy, Eugene would often blame the doll for accidents and misgivings, claiming, "Robert told me to do it." Seems like somewhat normal little kid behavior, right?
According to our tour guide, the real trouble started when a woman who worked for the Otto family was fired abruptly without cause. But rather than packing her bags and leaving, she reportedly used voodoo to put a curse on the doll as a form of revenge. And while it may seem pretty far-fetched to some, others believe it actually worked.
"Once he was put on exhibit, cameras and electronic devices malfunctioned in his presence, and soon letters began arriving addressed to the doll offering apologies for disrespectful behavior or asking forgiveness."
As an adult, Eugene became an artist. Considered by many to be "eccentric," Eugene returned to his family home in Key West with his wife, Annette Parker, after they got married in 1930. And despite being an adult, Eugene's love of Robert never wavered (legend has it that Robert sat right next to Eugene while he painted). Annette obviously wasn't a huge fan of her husband's best friend, and vice versa, so once Eugene died in 1974, Annette left Key West. She left Robert behind in the attic of the home, where he was found years later by the home's new owners. While strange things had often happened in Robert's presence before — people hearing voices, noises, and other unexplained sounds — it wasn't until he was donated to the Fort East Martello Museum in 1994 that his less-than-kind attitude went full-scale.
Before walking into the museum to get a peek at Robert, the tour guide gave us some strict rules to follow: you must greet and introduce yourself to Robert; if you want to take a photo of him, you must ask first; and you can't leave the museum without saying goodbye. While a bit weird, that all sounded doable to Chris and me, so we did as we were told. After snapping a few photos, we learned about what happens to people who don't follow the rules or poke fun at Robert. A nearby TV showed thousands of letters from people from around the world who experienced terrible luck after rubbing the doll the wrong way.
According to some of the letters, visitors have been met with all kinds of misfortune, from getting burned by hot water to missing their flights to — yep — even getting divorced. "Once he was put on exhibit, cameras and electronic devices malfunctioned in his presence, and soon letters began arriving addressed to the doll offering apologies for disrespectful behavior or asking forgiveness," says the website. "Letters continue to arrive daily."
As a respectful visitor, I thought I was off the hook. I followed the rules and was genuinely interested in learning about him. But boy, was I wrong. I made ONE comment about a grown man carrying around a doll, and my fate was sealed. As soon as I woke up the next day, the bad luck began. First, our flight home was delayed. Then, we were forced to rebook our flight because the plane was too heavy, resulting in us having a five-hour layover and getting transferred to another connecting flight. While both of these things were annoying, I also knew they happen sometimes. It couldn't have been because of a doll, right?
I realized that Robert might actually have had it out for us when we finally landed back home around midnight. The problem? Our luggage never showed up. We were told to go home and that the suitcase was probably on the next flight in. Fast forward to the next morning — still no sign of the bag. And no one on either airline that we used could locate where the suitcase was. It was simply missing without a trace. Frustrated and near tears, we decided to give into our superstitions and write letters to Robert in the hopes of reversing whatever bad luck he gave us and finding our lost bag.
These terrifying experiences serve as a constant reminder of the curse's presence and fuel the fear and paranoia that surrounds it. The Curse of the Robert Dowll has become the subject of many legends and cautionary tales, warning people to stay away from the mysterious statue and its dark powers. Some believe that the curse is a product of black magic or supernatural forces, while others attribute it to psychological manipulation or mere coincidence. Regardless of its origin, the curse continues to capture the imagination of those who hear the story, leaving them intrigued and wary of the unknown. Over the years, many have attempted to break the curse or unravel its mysteries, but none have been successful. It is said that the only way to rid oneself of the curse is to return the statue to its original resting place and perform a series of complex rituals and prayers. However, the exact details of this process remain shrouded in secrecy, adding to the allure and mystique of the curse. Whether one believes in the curse or not, the story of the Robert Dowll curse serves as a cautionary tale about the dangers of dabbling in the supernatural and the potentially grave consequences that can arise from our actions. It reminds us to be mindful of the choices we make and the objects we bring into our lives, as they may carry unseen and unpredictable dangers..
Reviews for "The Unexplained Powers of the Robert Dowll Curse: A Paranormal Investigation"
1. John - 1 star - "Curse of the Robert Dowll was an absolute disappointment. The story felt disjointed and lacked any coherence. The acting was subpar, and I found it difficult to connect with any of the characters. The scares were predictable and cliché, and I found myself bored throughout most of the film. Overall, I would not recommend wasting your time or money on this lackluster horror film."
2. Sarah - 2 stars - "I had high hopes for Curse of the Robert Dowll based on the intriguing premise, but unfortunately, it fell flat. The pacing was incredibly slow, and the plot was convoluted. The characters were one-dimensional and lacked depth, making it hard to care about their fates. The scares were cheap jump scares that offered no true suspense or terror. The film had potential, but it failed to deliver on its promises."
3. Mark - 2 stars - "Curse of the Robert Dowll had an interesting concept, but the execution was lacking. The story felt rushed and underdeveloped, leaving me confused and disengaged. The special effects were poorly done, and the acting was unconvincing. It was clear that the filmmakers were trying to cash in on the popularity of supernatural horror, but they missed the mark entirely. I left the theater feeling disappointed and unsatisfied."
4. Jessica - 1.5 stars - "I cannot express enough how disappointed I was with Curse of the Robert Dowll. The plot was predictable, and the characters were beyond cliché. The scares were cheap and overused, relying heavily on jump scares that lost their effectiveness after the first few. The whole film felt like a carbon copy of better horror films, lacking any originality or creativity. I regretted every minute I spent watching this forgettable and uninspired flick."
5. Michael - 1 star - "Curse of the Robert Dowll was one of the worst horror films I've seen in a long time. The writing was atrocious, with clunky dialogue and an incredibly thin plot. The performances were wooden and unconvincing, making it hard to take any of the scares seriously. The filmmakers relied on tired horror tropes and failed to bring anything new or interesting to the genre. Save yourself the misery and skip this film altogether."