The Curse of Robert The Curse of Robert, also known as Robert the Doll, is a spooky legend that originates from Key West, Florida. The story revolves around a haunted doll named Robert, said to be cursed. The doll belonged to a boy named Robert Eugene Otto, who went by the nickname Gene. According to the tale, Gene's parents fired a Bahamian servant for practicing voodoo black magic after the woman gave him the doll. The doll, which had button eyes and straw stuffing, became Gene's constant companion and he named it Robert after himself. Strange occurrences started happening in the Otto household shortly after Gene received the doll.
To the degree that West Virginia is, “southern,” a whole lot of that cultural relation comes from the secluded mountain-dwellers. Some of these mountaineers have been in those dark hills since the very beginning. As someone who grew up in Tennessee, I’m intimately aware of the folklore that still comes from those Appalachian peaks. This is the land of moonshine and outhouses, completely secluded communities out of reach of the law or government. The early settlers in what became West Virginia were a rugged people. They farmed what they could around the mountains (the state is actually entirely mountainous). They fended for themselves outside of the emergent American government. And this spirit led to a state motto that perfectly captures the essence of the people it canonizes. It reads, “Montani Semper Liberi” (Mountaineers are always free).
Perhaps this is due to the fact that one of the key differences between New England and early Virginian witchcraft is that while 1692 s Salemites viewed witchcraft as inextricably linked with Christianity the actual offense latent in witchcraft to the Puritans wasn t the practice of magic, it was being in league with the devil , Virginians viewed it as much more rooted in folklore and therefor essentially outside the realm of organizaed religion. The witch is an icon of both power and persecution, so it s something to look at and say, We ve come this far, but there s still a lot more to go, said Kristen Sollee.
Strange occurrences started happening in the Otto household shortly after Gene received the doll. Gene's parents claimed to hear giggling and talking coming from Gene's room, even when no one else was in there. Guests also reported seeing the doll move on its own, change expressions, and laugh menacingly.
Witchcraft in West Virginia
One of the most intriguing aspects of the occult in America is that it truly has enjoyed a regional expression. New England witchcraft, for example, looks very different from West Coast witchcraft which looks very different from Midwest witchcraft. This trend also applies inter-regionally as well. Tennessean witchcraft looks different than Georgian witchcraft which looks different from West Virginia witchcraft and on and on it goes.
But a personal favorite of mine is Appalachian witchcraft. Perhaps that’s due to the fact that I’m from the mid-south originally or maybe it’s because this particular strain of the esoteric still lingers somewhat in obscurity, even to me.
So today I’d like to explore one of the more emblematic and representative states of Appalachian folk magic: West Virginia. First, some background.
As Gene grew older, the behavior of Robert became more bizarre. Visitors in the Otto home claimed to see the doll's expression change from playful to sinister. Some even claimed that the doll's expression was alive and that it was filled with evil. The haunting incidents continued even after Gene grew up and left the Key West house. Residents and employees in the house, who were skeptical of the legend of Robert, changed their minds after experiencing the doll's strange powers. They reported seeing the doll move from room to room, hearing footsteps coming from empty hallways, and witnessing objects being thrown by an unseen force. Today, Robert the Doll resides in the East Martello Museum in Key West, securely locked in a glass case. Many visitors come to the museum to catch a glimpse of the infamous doll. It is believed that if you take a photo of Robert without asking for permission first, you will be cursed. There are numerous letters and photographs on display at the museum, sent by previous visitors who experienced misfortunes after disrespecting the doll. Whether you believe in curses or not, the story of Robert the Doll has captured the imaginations of many and has become an iconic part of Key West's spooky folklore..
Reviews for "Supernatural Occurrences: The Curse of Robert"
1. John - Rating: 1/5
"The Curse of Robert was a complete disaster. The plot was confusing and poorly executed, leaving me with more questions than answers. The acting was mediocre at best, with wooden performances throughout. Additionally, the film relied too heavily on jump scares, which became repetitive and predictable after a while. Save your time and money and skip this one."
2. Emily - Rating: 2/5
I was really disappointed with The Curse of Robert. The story had potential, but it felt rushed and underdeveloped. The characters lacked depth, making it hard to form any emotional connection with them. The scares were cheap and relied on clichéd horror tropes. Overall, it didn't live up to my expectations and I wouldn't recommend it to fans of the genre.
3. Sarah - Rating: 3/5
While The Curse of Robert had some interesting moments, it ultimately fell flat for me. The pacing was uneven, with moments of intense action followed by prolonged periods of boredom. The script lacked originality and failed to bring anything new to the horror genre. The ending was particularly disappointing, leaving loose ends and unresolved plot points. It had potential, but it just didn't deliver.