In the chilling tale of "The Curse of Robert," we are introduced to an ancient artifact that possesses a malevolent force. The story revolves around a mysterious doll named Robert, which is said to be cursed. This cursed doll is believed to bring misfortune, bad luck, and even death to those who come into contact with it. The legend of Robert begins in the late 19th century in Key West, Florida. It is said that Robert was originally owned by a young boy named Robert Eugene Otto. The young boy became deeply attached to the doll and treated it as if it were alive, creating a strong bond between them.
The young boy became deeply attached to the doll and treated it as if it were alive, creating a strong bond between them. However, it soon became apparent that there was something inherently sinister about the doll. Strange occurrences began happening around the Otto household.
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.
People reported hearing footsteps and laughter from empty rooms, objects moved on their own accord, and eerie voices whispered in the darkness. It was believed that these occurrences were a direct result of the doll's malevolent influence. As time went on, the doll's influence only grew stronger. Visitors to the house claimed to feel a distinct sense of unease and dread whenever they were near Robert. Many of them reported experiencing a string of unfortunate events shortly after encountering the doll. This led to widespread fear and belief in the curse of Robert. The curse of Robert is said to extend beyond the Otto household. Many individuals who encountered the doll claim to have suffered from a series of unexplained misfortunes, including financial ruin, health problems, and even tragic accidents. The curse is believed to be so potent that those who dare to disrespect or mock the doll are particularly vulnerable to its wrath. The presence of Robert can still be felt today. The doll is currently on display at the Fort East Martello Museum in Key West. Visitors can witness the eerie sight of Robert locked in his glass case, his unsettling gaze seemingly following them around the room. The curse of Robert serves as a chilling reminder of the unknown forces that may surround us. It forces us to contemplate the power of belief and the potential consequences of tampering with the supernatural. Whether one believes in the curse or not, the tale of Robert remains a haunting and unsettling mystery, forever etched in the annals of the paranormal..
Reviews for "From Silver Screen to Pop Culture Phenomenon: The Incredible Legacy of The Vurse of Robert"
- Sarah - 2/5 - I was really disappointed with "The Curse of Robert". The plot was so predictable and cliché. I could predict exactly what was going to happen next. The characters were also one-dimensional and lacked any depth. I just couldn't connect with them at all. The acting was quite mediocre and the special effects were really cheesy. Overall, I found the movie to be very boring and unoriginal.
- Michael - 1/5 - "The Curse of Robert" was hands down the worst movie I have ever seen. The storyline made absolutely no sense and it was hard to follow. The acting was painfully bad, with stiff performances and wooden dialogue. The scares were laughable and not scary at all. The whole movie felt rushed and poorly executed. I would not recommend wasting your time on this terrible film.
- Jennifer - 2/5 - I had high hopes for "The Curse of Robert" but unfortunately, it did not live up to my expectations. The plot was intriguing, but the execution was lacking. The pacing was off, and the movie felt painfully slow. The scares were repetitive and not very effective. The characters were forgettable and lacked any depth. Overall, I found this movie to be quite boring and unimpressive.
- Alex - 3/5 - "The Curse of Robert" had potential, but it fell short for me. I appreciated the creepy atmosphere and some of the suspenseful moments, but the movie felt disjointed and lacked coherence. The plot was confusing at times, and it was hard to fully understand what was going on. The acting was decent, but not outstanding. The movie had its moments, but overall, it failed to leave a lasting impression.