The Curse of Robert the Doll documentary explores the mysterious story surrounding Robert, a supposedly haunted doll that has intrigued both believers and skeptics for many years. The film captures the eerie aura surrounding the doll, delving into its origins, alleged supernatural powers, and chilling encounters reported by those who have come into contact with it. The documentary begins by delving into the history of Robert the Doll, which dates back to the early 20th century in Key West, Florida. The doll, originally owned by a young boy named Robert Eugene Otto, is said to have possessed a sinister presence. Many claim that the doll was cursed by a servant who had a grudge against the Otto family, infusing it with supernatural abilities. Throughout the documentary, experts in paranormal phenomena and doll collectors share their experiences and opinions on Robert the Doll.
“Birthplace of National Guard,” said another street sign. Reading about it I discovered that the first American regiments were formed from the militia of the Massachusetts Bay Colony in 1636 which ultimately led to the founding of the National Guard.
The first expansion designed by Moshe Safdie in 2003 seamlessly incorporates the antiquated beauty of the East India Marine Hall with glass, brick and cement of modern times. And so it turned out that though I did not visit spooky Salem in the month of Halloween October, this charming town still succeeded to enthrall and made for a very memorable visit.
Throughout the documentary, experts in paranormal phenomena and doll collectors share their experiences and opinions on Robert the Doll. These discussions provide insight into the fascination and fear associated with haunted dolls. Some believe that the doll can influence the thoughts and behavior of those around it, while others attribute these claims to superstition and suggest that people's perception of the doll's effect on them may be influenced by psychological factors.
Witches take to the water in Venice's unique Epiphany celebration
Some of the witches at the La Befana festival in Venice even sported mustaches. Talk about ugly hags! But local officials said that none were burned this year, or melted by falling into the water. (Kent Harris / S&S)
In some tales, witches aren't fond of water. But there were dozens of them paddling around the Grand Canal in Venice on Thursday during the La Befana festival. The event, entering its third decade in the city, features costumed witches on watercraft, a race and some goodies for the kids. (Kent Harris / S&S)
Witches normally aren’t considered part of the Christmas season, but they played a central role when Venice, Italy, wrapped up the holiday last week.
On Jan. 6, millions of Italian children celebrate Epiphany — the date marking the visit of the three wise men to the baby Jesus and traditionally the end of Christmas holiday — by finding candy in their stockings.
Those children who haven’t been good, in theory, find coal.
The candy and coal are distributed by la befana, “the witch” in Italian. And to mark the occasion in Venice, as they have for the past 20 years, about a dozen local men and women dressed as witches and took over the city’s main thoroughfare. They paddled along the Grand Canal, some tossing candy to the hundreds of onlookers — although many tourists in Venice that day had little idea of what was going on.
In fact, just about everyone was unsure of why men dress up as witches. Italians who were asked shrugged and said it was simply tradition. What the tradition was, no one seemed to know.
Following tradition, the participants paddled from San Toma until they reached the giant stocking of the Epiphany that hung from the Rialto Bridge.
In addition to the witches’ cruise, a race was held involving teams bedecked in colorful sweat clothes in hues from across the rainbow.
Other places in Italy also have special celebrations on Jan. 6. Many involve witches — or their parental helpers — hanging up stockings the night before and kids waking up to see if they’ve been good or bad.
Why witches? And just who is la befana? Like Santa Claus, her origins are a bit mysterious and probably date to customs before Christianity took firm hold in Europe.
There are several versions of how she came to deliver goodies to good children every year. One of them says the wise men stopped at her house while they were trying to find Jesus. They asked her to accompany them, but she declined.
Later, she regretted the decision and tried to find baby Jesus. She gave out candy to all the children she found in case one of them turned out to be him.
Another version has her finding Jesus, giving him gifts and being rewarded with a day each year during which she passes out goodies to all children.
In rural areas, witches were once reportedly burned to death on the day. Onlookers could tell whether the year would be a good one by which way the smoke blew. The staff at the tourism office assured visitors this year that no one was burned on Epiphany.
But modern ingenuity has added another layer of confusion. At least one shop in Venice sold candy that looked like lumps of coal, leaving the children who received it with a tough question of whether they had been good or bad.
Kent HarrisKent has filled numerous roles at Stars and Stripes including: copy editor, news editor, desk editor, reporter/photographer, web editor and overseas sports editor. Based at Aviano Air Base, Italy, he’s been TDY to countries such as Afghanistan Iraq, Kosovo and Bosnia. Born in California, he’s a 1988 graduate of Humboldt State University and has been a journalist for 40 years.
The film also features interviews with individuals who claim to have had unsettling encounters with Robert the Doll. These encounters range from inexplicable phenomena, such as objects moving on their own, to more disturbing experiences, including sudden illness and misfortune. The filmmakers use these testimonies to build a case for the doll's alleged curse and its power to bring misfortune to those who disrespect it. In addition to personal accounts, the documentary incorporates footage from paranormal investigations conducted with Robert the Doll. These investigations involve scientific techniques, such as electromagnetic field readings and infrared cameras, aimed at capturing any potential evidence of paranormal activity. While some of the findings may be interpreted as inconclusive, they serve to maintain the mystique surrounding the doll and its supposed curse. Throughout the documentary, the filmmakers maintain a balanced approach, allowing for both sides of the debate to be heard. This approach offers viewers the opportunity to form their own opinions about the existence of the curse and the doll's sinister capabilities. Overall, The Curse of Robert the Doll documentary offers an intriguing look into the legendary haunted doll and the supernatural claims associated with it. Its combination of historical context, personal testimonials, and paranormal investigations creates a chilling narrative that will captivate both believers and skeptics alike. Whether one believes in the doll's curse or not, this film provides an intriguing glimpse into the world of haunted objects and the enduring fascination they hold for many..
Reviews for "A Toy That Terrifies: "The Curse of Robert the Doll" Documentary Revealed"
- John - 2 stars - I was really excited to watch "The Curse of Robert the Doll" as I am a big fan of horror documentaries. However, I was ultimately disappointed with this film. The pacing was terribly slow, and there were many scenes that felt unnecessary and dragged on for too long. Additionally, the reenactments were poorly executed and took away from the overall authenticity of the documentary. Overall, I found it hard to stay engaged and would not recommend this film to others.
- Sarah - 1 star - I have always been fascinated by haunted objects and was looking forward to learning about the legend of Robert the Doll. Unfortunately, "The Curse of Robert the Doll" failed to deliver. The documentary lacked depth and failed to provide any substantial evidence or interviews with reliable sources. It felt more like a cheap horror film than an informative documentary. I was left feeling unsatisfied and would not recommend wasting your time on this film.
- Mark - 2 stars - As someone who enjoys watching documentaries about the paranormal, I was disappointed with "The Curse of Robert the Doll." The film relied heavily on over-dramatic reenactments and jump scares, which I found unnecessary and distracting. The interviews with supposed experts lacked credibility, and the evidence presented was questionable at best. It felt more like a fictional horror movie than an informative documentary. I would advise skipping this one and looking for a more reputable source on the subject.