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Updated origins and history of Robert the Doll. Updated citations listed supporting origin, history, and cultural relevance.
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Restored revision 1218665652 by LuckyLouie (talk): Panicd.com, phantom press, youtube, robertthedoll.org, not WP:FRIND sources for WP:EXTRAORDINARY claims, or even WP:RS for fact.
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[[File:Robert The Doll (5999680656).jpg|thumb|upright=0.9|alt=Doll in sailor suit seated on small chair; walls behind covered in pinned-up letters|Robert the doll pictured in 2011]]
[[File:Robert The Doll (5999680656).jpg|thumb|upright=0.9|alt=Doll in sailor suit seated on small chair; walls behind covered in pinned-up letters|Robert the doll pictured in 2011]]
{{Paranormal}}
{{Paranormal}}
'''Robert the Doll'''<ref name="website">{{cite web|url=http://www.robertthedoll.org/|title=ROBERT THE DOLL|website=www.robertthedoll.org}}</ref> is a reputedly [[haunted doll]]<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |last=Miles |first=Mandy |date=2020-09-24 |title=KEY WEST’S HAUNTED DOLL |url=https://keysweekly.com/42/key-wests-haunted-doll/ |access-date=2024-05-14 |website=Florida Keys Weekly Newspapers |language=en-US}}</ref> exhibited at the [[East Martello Museum]] in [[Key West]], [[Florida]]. Robert was once owned by painter, author, and Key West resident Robert Eugene Otto. In paranormal circles he is believed to be the world's most terrifying haunted doll.<ref name=":1">{{Cite web |last=Wright |first=Andy |date=2021-10-25 |title=The Story Behind the World's Most Terrifying Haunted Doll |url=http://www.atlasobscura.com/articles/story-behind-robert-the-doll |access-date=2024-05-14 |website=Atlas Obscura |language=en}}</ref> Robert's popularity has grown immensely due to his reputation for cursing anyone who disrespects him.<ref name=":0" />
'''Robert the Doll'''<ref name="website">{{cite web|url=http://www.robertthedoll.org/|title=ROBERT THE DOLL|website=www.robertthedoll.org}}</ref> is an allegedly [[haunted doll]]<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.slate.com/blogs/atlas_obscura/2013/11/18/robert_the_haunted_doll_creeping_out_floridians_since_1904.html|title=Robert the Haunted Doll: Creeping Out Floridians Since 1904|author=Ella Morton|publisher=Slate.com|date=2013-11-18}}</ref> exhibited at the [[East Martello Museum]] in [[Key West]], [[Florida]]. Robert was once owned by painter, author, and Key West resident Robert Eugene Otto.


== History ==
== History ==
The doll originally belonged to Robert Eugene Otto, an artist described as "eccentric", who belonged to a prominent Key West family. The doll was reportedly manufactured by the [[Steiff Company]] of [[Germany]], purchased by Otto's grandfather while on a trip to Germany in 1904, and given to young Otto as a birthday gift. The doll's sailor suit was likely an outfit that Otto wore as a child.<ref name="website" /><ref name="atlas">{{cite web|url=https://www.atlasobscura.com/articles/the-story-behind-the-worlds-most-haunted-doll|title=The Story Behind the World's Most Terrifying Haunted Doll|date=26 October 2015|website=atlasobscura.com}}</ref>
The doll was originally manufactured by the [[Steiff Company]] of [[Germany]].<ref name=":2">{{Cite web |last=michael |date=2017-10-20 |title=Haunted History: Robert the Doll returns to the Florida Keys History & Discovery Center |url=https://www.kwahs.org/8579-2 |access-date=2024-05-14 |website=Key West Art and Historical Society |language=en-US}}</ref> He's believed to have been brought to Key West in 1904 by Minnie Otto and given to her four-year-old son as a birthday gift. The boy became infatuated with the doll and gave it his own name - Robert. For the rest of his life the boy went by his middle name, Eugene. Eugene blamed terrible things that happened on Robert the Doll<ref>{{Cite web |title=Oct 31, 1989, page 185 - The Palm Beach Post at Newspapers.com |url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/132713534 |access-date=2024-05-14 |website=Newspapers.com |language=en}}</ref>. People living in Key West at the time believed the doll had supernatural abilities<ref>{{Cite book |last=Myers |first=Arthur |title=A Ghosthunter's Guide: To haunted landmarks, parks, churches, and other public places. |date=January 1, 1993 |publisher=Contemporary Books |year=1993 |isbn=9780809242887 |publication-date=January 1, 1993}}</ref>. Eugene's parents often heard two voices coming from his bedroom but when they entered the room they would find Eugene alone with the doll.<ref name=":3">{{Cite book |last=Sloan |first=David L. |title=Robert the Doll: The True Biography of Key West's Haunted Doll |date=November 25, 2014 |publisher=Phantom Press |isbn=0978992180 |pages=68-70}}</ref>


The doll remained stored in the Otto family home at 534 Eaton Street in Key West while Otto studied art in [[New York (state)|New York]] and [[Paris]]. Otto married Annette Parker in Paris on May{{nbs}}3, 1930. The couple returned to the Otto family home in Key West to live there until Otto died in 1974. His wife died two years later.<ref name="AH">{{cite web|title=Artist House - History|url=http://www.artisthousekeywest.com/about/key-west-hotel-history/|website=Artist House|publisher=Artist House, Key West|access-date=1 December 2017|date=2011-03-03}}</ref><ref name=artisthouse>{{cite web|url=http://www.artisthousekeywest.com/about/robert-the-doll/|title=Robert The Doll – Artist House Key West – Key West Guesthouse|website=www.artisthousekeywest.com|date=2011-03-03}}</ref> After their deaths, the Eaton Street home containing the doll was sold to Myrtle Reuter, who owned it for 20 years<ref name="atlas" /> until the property was sold to the current owners, who operate it as a [[guest house]].<ref name="AH" />
When Eugene turned 18-years-old in 1922, he traveled the world and briefly studied architecture before pursuing a career in art in [[Paris]]<ref name=":4">{{Cite web |title=Dec 31, 1953, page 3 - The Key West Citizen at Newspapers.com |url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/842169345/ |access-date=2024-05-14 |website=Newspapers.com |language=en}}</ref>. Otto met concert pianist Annette Parker during his time in France. They married in paris on May 3, 1930<ref name=":4" />. The couple spent several years in Europe and nearly a decade in New York<ref name=":4" />. They returned to the Otto family home in Key West in 1945 when Eugene's mother became ill and made Eugene's childhood house their home when she passed away<ref>{{Cite web |date=2024-04-29 |title=Sep 18, 1945 page 2 - The Miami Herald at Newspapers.com - Newspapers.com |url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/617125205/?match=1&terms=minnie%20otto |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240429174429/https://www.newspapers.com/image/842169345/?match=1&terms=Gene%20Ottos%20Combine%20Backgrounds%2A |archive-date=2024-04-29 |access-date=2024-05-14}}</ref>. Eugene rekindled his relationship with Robert the Doll and would prop him up in the window of his home's turret room while he painted. Robert resided in this room for the remainder of Eugene's life. Annette Otto hated the doll. In his later years, Gene became abusive towards his wife, and when confronted with the abuse, was known to blame it on Robert the Doll <ref name=":5">{{Cite web |title=Discover the Story of Robert The Doll at our Key West Inn |url=https://www.artisthousekeywest.com/robert-the-doll |access-date=2024-05-14 |website=Artist House Key West |language=en-US}}</ref>. The doll remained locked in a cedar chest in the attic of the Otto family home at 534 Eaton Street in Key West throughout the remainder of Annette's life. Following Eugene and Annette's death, Key West residents reported seeing late Anne in the staircase and Robert peering through the window in the Turret room, despite the physial doll residing elsewhere<ref name=":5" /><ref>{{Cite web |title=The Artist House Paranormal {{!}} Key West Paranormal {{!}} PANICd |url=http://www.panicd.com/the-artist-house.html |access-date=2024-05-14 |website=PANICd Location #1959}}</ref>.


In 1994, the doll was donated to the [[East Martello Museum]] in Key West, Florida, where it became a popular [[tourist attraction]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.kwahs.org/museums/fort-east-martello/history|title=History of Fort East Martello – Key West Art and Historical Society|website=kwahs.org|access-date=2017-11-29|archive-date=2019-01-14|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190114062214/http://www.kwahs.org/museums/fort-east-martello/history|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.tripadvisor.com/Attraction_Review-g34345-d130356-Reviews-Fort_East_Martello_Museum-Key_West_Florida_Keys_Florida.html|title=Fort East Martello Museum (Key West, FL): Top Tips Before You Go (with Photos) – TripAdvisor|website=www.tripadvisor.com}}</ref> It is annually rotated to the [[Old Post Office and Customshouse (Key West, Florida)|Old Post Office and Customhouse]] in October.
Gene Otto died in 1974 from complications related to Parkinson's Disease. He spent his last years in the turret room of his home with Robert the Doll. His wife died five years later in 1979<ref>{{Cite web |title=FamilySearch.org |url=https://ancestors.familysearch.org/en/LH8K-CX3/robert-eugene-%22gene%22-otto-1900-1974 |access-date=2024-05-14 |website=ancestors.familysearch.org}}</ref>. After their deaths, the Eaton Street home containing the doll was sold to Bill and Myrtle Reuter<ref name=":1" />. Myrtle developed a bizarre attachment to the doll and the family encountered several tragedies including a death and a divorce<ref name=":1" /><ref name=":22">{{Cite book |last=Sloan |first=David L. |title=Robert the Doll: The True Biography of Key West's Haunted Doll |date=November 25, 2014 |publisher=Phantom Press |isbn=0978992180 |pages=110-136}}</ref>. When the Reuters divorced in 1980, the Otto home was sold. Myrtle Reuter took the doll with her to a new residence at 1722-A Von Phister Street in Key West<ref name=":22" /><ref name=":6">{{Cite web |date=2017-06-22 |title=Robert the Doll wants respect, or else - Key West Florida Weekly |url=https://keywest.floridaweekly.com/articles/robert-the-doll-wants-respect-or-else/ |access-date=2024-05-14 |website=Key West Florida Weekly -}}</ref>. The Otto property was eventually turned into a guest house named The Artist House. It has maintained this name through several owners and is known as a haunted [[guest house]]<ref name=":5" /><ref name=":7">{{Cite web |title=Discover an Historic Key West Inn in the heart of Old Town |url=https://www.artisthousekeywest.com/key-west-inn |access-date=2024-05-14 |website=Artist House Key West |language=en-US}}</ref>.

In 1994, Myrtle Reuter donated the doll to the [[East Martello Museum]] in Key West, Florida. She told the curator that the doll was haunted and had locked her her room the previous night, holding the door handle so she could not escape<ref name=":3" /><ref name=":7" />. The doll was not placed on display until 1996 when Key West ghost tour operator David L. Sloan started encouraging tour guests to call the museum and ask to see the doll. In the following years Robert became a popular [[tourist attraction]]<ref name=":0" />. Robert the Doll have received thousands of letters from around the world with many of them describing misfortune and bad luck that occurred after disrespecting him and begging him to remove his curse<ref>{{Cite web |last=Froelich |first=Paula |date=2020-05-16 |title=People are apologizing to a 'cursed' doll named Robert to ward off bad luck |url=https://nypost.com/2020/05/16/people-are-apologizing-to-a-cursed-doll-named-robert-to-ward-off-bad-luck/ |url-status=live |access-date=2024-05-14 |website=New York Post |language=en-US}}</ref><ref name=":2" />.


==Legend==
==Legend==
According to legend, the doll has [[supernatural]] abilities that allow it to move, change its facial expressions, and make giggling sounds<ref name=":2" />. Some versions of the legend claim that a young girl of "[[The Bahamas|Bahamian]] descent" gave Otto the doll as a gift or as "retaliation for a wrongdoing"<ref name=":6" />. Other stories claim that the doll moved [[Voodoo doll|voodoo figurines]] around the room, and was "aware of what went on around him". Other legends claim that the doll "vanished" after Otto's house changed ownership a number of times after his death, or that young Otto triggered the doll's supernatural powers by blaming his childhood mishaps on the doll. According to local folklore, the doll has caused "car accidents, broken bones, job loss, divorce and a cornucopia of other misfortunes", and museum visitors supposedly experience "post-visit misfortunes" for "failing to respect Robert"<ref name=":1" /><ref name=":6" />.
According to legend, the doll has [[supernatural]] abilities that allow it to move, change its facial expressions, and make giggling sounds. Some versions of the legend claim that a young girl of "[[The Bahamas|Bahamian]] descent" gave Otto the doll as a gift or as "retaliation for a wrongdoing". Other stories claim that the doll moved [[Voodoo doll|voodoo figurine]]s around the room, and was "aware of what went on around him". Other legends claim that the doll "vanished" after Otto's house changed ownership a number of times after his death,<ref name=artisthouse /><ref>{{cite web|url=http://floridakeystreasures.com/2017/11/04/halloween-story-the-legend-of-robert-the-doll/|title=Halloween Story The Legend of Robert the Doll|date=4 November 2017|website=floridakeystreasures.com}}</ref> or that young Otto triggered the doll's supernatural powers by blaming his childhood mishaps on the doll. According to local folklore, the doll has caused "car accidents, broken bones, job loss, divorce and a cornucopia of other misfortunes", and museum visitors supposedly experience "post-visit misfortunes" for "failing to respect Robert".<ref name="atlas" />


== In popular culture ==
== In popular culture ==
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*The doll was exhibited at TapsCON, a convention hosted by [[The Atlantic Paranormal Society]] held in [[Clearwater, Florida]], in May 2008, marking the first time that it had left Key West, Florida, in its then-104 years of existence.<ref>{{cite web |last=Weikle |first=Harlan |title=TAPS hunts for things that go bump in the night |url=http://www.tbnweekly.com/belleair_bee/taps-hunts-for-things-that-go-bump-in-the-night/article_d190fda7-7450-571e-8ff0-c1c3ccce1c39.html |work=TBNweekly |publisher=BLOX Content Management System |access-date=1 December 2017 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20181225110031/https://www.tbnweekly.com/belleair_bee/taps-hunts-for-things-that-go-bump-in-the-night/article_d190fda7-7450-571e-8ff0-c1c3ccce1c39.html |archive-date=25 December 2018 |date=22 July 2018}}</ref>

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*In October 2015, the doll was taken to [[Las Vegas]] for a [[Travel Channel]] television program in [[Zak Bagans]]' "''Haunted Museum''."<ref>{{cite web |last=Shaughnessy |first=Carol |title=Robert the Doll Goes to Vegas |url=https://www.fla-keys.com/keysvoices/robert-the-doll-goes-to-vegas/ |work=Key Voices. The Florida Keys & Key West |publisher=The Monroe County Tourist Development Council |access-date=1 December 2017 |date=29 October 2015 |archive-date=25 December 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181225175743/https://fla-keys.com/keysvoices/robert-the-doll-goes-to-vegas/ |url-status=dead }}</ref> The episode originally aired on April{{nbs}}2, 2016, as the first episode of ''[[Deadly Possessions]]'',<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.tvguide.com/tvshows/deadly-possessions/episodes/912129|title=Deadly Possessions {{!}} TV Guide|website=TVGuide.com|language=en|access-date=2020-01-18}}</ref> and re-aired on August{{nbs}}12, 2017 as the first episode of the series ''Ghost Adventures: Artifacts''.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.tvguide.com/tvshows/ghost-adventures-artifacts/episodes/1091432|title=Ghost Adventures: Artifacts {{!}} TV Guide|website=TVGuide.com|language=en|access-date=2020-01-18}}</ref>
* Paranormal YouTube stars [[Sam and Colby]] visited Robert the Doll aiming to share his story in their video [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TE1EW3ek17c Our Demonic Encounter with the World's Most Haunted Doll]<ref>{{Cite AV media |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TE1EW3ek17c |title=Our Demonic Encounter with World's Most Haunted Doll |language=en |access-date=2024-05-14 |via=www.youtube.com}}</ref>. Shortly after their investigation, Colby was diagnosed with cancer<ref>{{Cite web |date=2023-04-25 |title=Colby Brock, Diagnosed w/ TC Urges Others to Check Their Balls — TCAF |url=https://www.testicularcancerawarenessfoundation.org/in-the-news/colby-brock-social-media-influencer-recently-diagnosed-with-testicular-cancer |access-date=2024-05-14 |website=Testicular Cancer Awareness Foundation |language=en-US}}</ref>. Fans believed there's a connection between Colby's cancer diagnosis and his disrespectful visit to Robert.
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*A [[horror film]] franchise loosely based on the legend began with the film ''[[Robert (film)|Robert]]'', released in 2015. To date, four sequels have followed: ''The Curse of Robert the Doll'' in 2016,<ref>{{cite web |title=The Curse of Robert the Doll (2016) |url=https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/the_curse_of_robert_the_doll/ |work=[[Rotten Tomatoes]] |publisher=[[Fandango (company)|Fandango]] |access-date=1 December 2017}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=THE CURSE OF ROBERT THE DOLL |url=http://www.bbfc.co.uk/releases/curse-robert-doll-video |work=[[British Board of Film Classification]] |access-date=1 December 2017}}</ref> ''The Toymaker'' in 2017, ''The Revenge of Robert the Doll'' in 2018,<ref>{{cite web |last=Phalin |first=Mike |title=Filmmaker Andrew Jones Talks Killer Dolls, Jurassic Terrors, and Nazi Werewolves |url=https://www.fanbolt.com/91363/filmmaker-andrew-jones-talks-killer-dolls-jurassic-terrors-nazi-werewolves/ |work=Fanbolt |access-date=5 April 2018 |date=22 March 2018}}</ref> and ''Robert Reborn'' in 2019.<ref>{{cite web |author=HorrorO |title="Robert Reborn" Unleashes First Trailer |url=http://promotehorror.com/2019/04/05/robert-reborn-unleashes-first-trailer/ |work=PromoteHorror.com |access-date=3 July 2019 |date=5 April 2019}}</ref>
* Ozzy Osbourne and Jack Osbourne visited Robert the Doll in Key West during the first episode in the second season of [[Ozzy & Jack's World Detour]]. They blamed Robert for everything that went wrong on their trip and Ozzy later blew up an effigy of Robert the Doll. He has since suffered a string of misfortunes which he blames on Robert the Doll.<ref name=":02">{{Cite web |last=Griffin |first=Louise |date=2020-10-19 |title=Ozzy Osbourne blames year of bad luck on 'haunted' doll he tried to blow up |url=https://metro.co.uk/2020/10/19/ozzy-osbourne-blames-year-of-bad-luck-on-creepy-haunted-doll-he-tried-to-blow-up-not-him-again-13446170/ |access-date=2024-04-12 |website=Metro |language=en}}</ref>
*The doll and a replica doll sold at the gift shop at the Martello museum appeared in the second season of ''[[Ozzy & Jack's World Detour]]''.<ref>{{cite web |title=S2 E1, Like Father, Like Sun |url=http://www.aetv.com/shows/ozzy-and-jacks-world-detour/season-2/episode-1 |work=AETV.com |publisher=[[A&E Television Networks]] |access-date=26 February 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180710195016/https://www.aetv.com/shows/ozzy-and-jacks-world-detour/season-2/episode-1 |archive-date=10 July 2018}}</ref>
* A plush Robert the Doll toy appears as an easter egg in [[Creepshow (TV series)|Creepshow]] S2 E4 Pipescreams / Within the Walls of Madness.<ref>{{Citation |last=Harrison |first=John |title=Pipe Screams/Within the Walls of Madness |date=2021-04-22 |url=https://www.imdb.com/title/tt14363740/?ref_=tttrv_ov |access-date=2024-04-12 |series=Creepshow |others=Eric Edelstein, Barbara Crampton, Selena Anduze |last2=Lynch |first2=Joe}}</ref>
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*The doll was featured in an episode of the podcast and TV series ''[[Lore (TV series)|Lore]]''.<ref>{{cite journal |last=Rubin |first=Rebecca |title=Remote Controlled: Stars of Amazon's 'Lore' Discuss Horror Stories, What Scares Them |url=https://variety.com/2017/tv/news/remote-controlled-amazon-lore-robert-patrick-kristi-bauer-van-straten-1202587849/ |journal=[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]] |publisher=[[Penske Business Media, LLC.]] |access-date=26 February 2018 |date=13 October 2017}}</ref>
* William Shatner tempted fate in 2012 by mocking Robert the Doll in S3 E4 of [[William Shatner's Weird or What?|William Shatner's Weird or What]]<ref>{{Cite AV media |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zowdAtavwzw |title=Weird or What? Chad Lewis Discusses Robert the Doll |language=en |access-date=2024-05-14 |via=www.youtube.com}}</ref>.
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* The doll was exhibited at TapsCON, a convention hosted by [[The Atlantic Paranormal Society]] held in [[Clearwater, Florida]], in May 2008, marking the first time that it had left Key West, Florida, in its then-104 years of existence.<ref>{{cite web |last=Weikle |first=Harlan |date=22 July 2018 |title=TAPS hunts for things that go bump in the night |url=http://www.tbnweekly.com/belleair_bee/taps-hunts-for-things-that-go-bump-in-the-night/article_d190fda7-7450-571e-8ff0-c1c3ccce1c39.html |archive-url=https://archive.today/20181225110031/https://www.tbnweekly.com/belleair_bee/taps-hunts-for-things-that-go-bump-in-the-night/article_d190fda7-7450-571e-8ff0-c1c3ccce1c39.html |archive-date=25 December 2018 |access-date=1 December 2017 |work=TBNweekly |publisher=BLOX Content Management System}}</ref>
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* In October 2015, the doll was taken to [[Las Vegas]] for a [[Travel Channel]] television program in [[Zak Bagans]]' "''Haunted Museum''."<ref>{{cite web |last=Shaughnessy |first=Carol |date=29 October 2015 |title=Robert the Doll Goes to Vegas |url=https://www.fla-keys.com/keysvoices/robert-the-doll-goes-to-vegas/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181225175743/https://fla-keys.com/keysvoices/robert-the-doll-goes-to-vegas/ |archive-date=25 December 2018 |access-date=1 December 2017 |work=Key Voices. The Florida Keys & Key West |publisher=The Monroe County Tourist Development Council}}</ref> The episode originally aired on April{{nbs}}2, 2016, as the first episode of ''[[Deadly Possessions]]''<ref>{{Cite web |title=Robert the Doll and The Dibbuk Box |url=https://www.travelchannel.com/shows/deadly-possessions/episodes/deadly-possessions |access-date=2024-05-14 |website=Travel Channel |language=en}}</ref>, and re-aired on August{{nbs}}12, 2017 as the first episode of the series ''Ghost Adventures: Artifacts''<ref>{{Cite web |title=Robert the Doll and The Dibbuk Box |url=https://www.travelchannel.com/shows/ghost-adventures-artifacts/episodes/robert-the-doll-and-the-dibbuk-box |access-date=2024-05-14 |website=Travel Channel |language=en}}</ref>. In the episode, Zak's butler Theodore disrespects Robert and experiences physical ailments.
* In 2022 the doll was featured in the [[Discovery+|Discovery +]] [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sc8yLhUU1ro Shock Docs: The Curse of Robert the Doll.]
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* A fan-fiction [[horror film]] series by [[Andrew Jones (filmmaker)|Andrew Jones]] loosely based on Robert the Doll began with the film ''[[Robert (film)|Robert]]'', released in 2015. Four sequels have followed: ''The Curse of Robert the Doll'' in 2016,<ref>{{cite web |title=The Curse of Robert the Doll (2016) |url=https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/the_curse_of_robert_the_doll/ |access-date=1 December 2017 |work=[[Rotten Tomatoes]] |publisher=[[Fandango (company)|Fandango]]}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=THE CURSE OF ROBERT THE DOLL |url=http://www.bbfc.co.uk/releases/curse-robert-doll-video |access-date=1 December 2017 |work=[[British Board of Film Classification]]}}</ref> ''The Toymaker'' in 2017, ''The Revenge of Robert the Doll'' in 2018<ref>{{Cite web |title=The Revenge of Robert the Doll - Production & Contact Info {{!}} IMDbPro |url=https://pro.imdb.com/title/tt6450628/ |access-date=2024-05-14 |website=pro.imdb.com}}</ref>, and ''Robert Reborn'' in 2019<ref>{{Cite web |title=Robert Reborn Unleashes First Trailer |url=https://www.imdb.com/news/ni62495679/ |access-date=2024-05-14 |website=IMDb |language=en-US}}</ref>. The low budget tributes to Robert the Doll were created without permission from [https://www.kwahs.org/ Key West Art & Historical Society] who hold the [[trademark]] on Robert the Doll's name and likeness. Some people believe the filmmakers untimely 2023 death from [[Cushing's syndrome|Cushing's Syndrome]] at 39 years old is tied to Robert the Doll's curse<ref>{{Cite web |title=Director/Producer Andrew Jones Passes At Age 39 |url=https://fundrazr.com/AndrewJ-Healing-Journey |access-date=2024-05-14 |website=FundRazr |language=en}}</ref>.
* Key West author and paranormal pioneer David L. Sloan started researching Robert the Doll in 1996. He uncovered the true origins of the doll and was able to tie the most popular legends surrounding Robert to actual events with the Otto family<ref name=":3" />.
* Celebrities who have visited Robert the Doll include [[Vince Neil]] of [[Mötley Crüe]], [[Butch Patrick]] who played [[Eddie Munster]], [[Bridget Marquardt]] of Ghost Magnet and [[The Girls Next Door]], [[Metal Blade Records]] founder [[Brian Slagel]], [[Aaron Sagers]] of Paranormal Caught on Camera, [[Ozzy Osbourne]], [[Jack Osbourne]], [[Amy Bruni]], Cindy Kaza and [[Zak Bagans]]<ref>{{Cite web |title=Learn More About Our Company in Florida |url=https://ghostkeywest.com/about/ |access-date=2024-05-14 |website=Ghost Key West |language=en-US}}</ref>.
* In 2023 [[Key West First Legal Rum]] released Robert the Doll's Voodoo Spiced Red Rum as a tribute to the doll.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Robert the Doll Booze brings his spirit right to your home |url=http://www.uncoveringflorida.com/1/post/2022/12/floridas-most-haunted-doll-gets-his-very-own-line-of-booze.html |access-date=2024-04-13 |website=UNCOVERING FLORIDA {{!}} Florida News & Travel |language=en}}</ref>
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* Robert the Doll was featured in an episode of the podcast and TV series ''[[Lore (TV series)|Lore]]''.<ref>{{cite journal |last=Rubin |first=Rebecca |date=13 October 2017 |title=Remote Controlled: Stars of Amazon's 'Lore' Discuss Horror Stories, What Scares Them |url=https://variety.com/2017/tv/news/remote-controlled-amazon-lore-robert-patrick-kristi-bauer-van-straten-1202587849/ |journal=[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]] |publisher=[[Penske Business Media, LLC.]] |access-date=26 February 2018}}</ref>
* TikTok star Kalani Smith and YouTube star Exploring with Josh were cursed by Robert the Doll after performing a bloodletting ceremony during a paranormal investigation with the doll<ref>{{Cite web |last=Swartz |first=Tracy |date=2023-10-15 |title=Ghost hunter 'cursed' after visiting world's 'most haunted doll in the world' |url=https://nypost.com/2023/10/15/ghost-hunter-cursed-after-visiting-worlds-most-haunted-doll/ |url-status=live |access-date=2024-05-14 |website=New York Post |language=en-US}}</ref>.


== References ==
== References ==

Revision as of 17:43, 14 May 2024

Doll in sailor suit seated on small chair; walls behind covered in pinned-up letters
Robert the doll pictured in 2011
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Robert the Doll[1] is an allegedly haunted doll[2] exhibited at the East Martello Museum in Key West, Florida. Robert was once owned by painter, author, and Key West resident Robert Eugene Otto.

History

The doll originally belonged to Robert Eugene Otto, an artist described as "eccentric", who belonged to a prominent Key West family. The doll was reportedly manufactured by the Steiff Company of Germany, purchased by Otto's grandfather while on a trip to Germany in 1904, and given to young Otto as a birthday gift. The doll's sailor suit was likely an outfit that Otto wore as a child.[1][3]

The doll remained stored in the Otto family home at 534 Eaton Street in Key West while Otto studied art in New York and Paris. Otto married Annette Parker in Paris on May 3, 1930. The couple returned to the Otto family home in Key West to live there until Otto died in 1974. His wife died two years later.[4][5] After their deaths, the Eaton Street home containing the doll was sold to Myrtle Reuter, who owned it for 20 years[3] until the property was sold to the current owners, who operate it as a guest house.[4]

In 1994, the doll was donated to the East Martello Museum in Key West, Florida, where it became a popular tourist attraction.[6][7] It is annually rotated to the Old Post Office and Customhouse in October.

Legend

According to legend, the doll has supernatural abilities that allow it to move, change its facial expressions, and make giggling sounds. Some versions of the legend claim that a young girl of "Bahamian descent" gave Otto the doll as a gift or as "retaliation for a wrongdoing". Other stories claim that the doll moved voodoo figurines around the room, and was "aware of what went on around him". Other legends claim that the doll "vanished" after Otto's house changed ownership a number of times after his death,[5][8] or that young Otto triggered the doll's supernatural powers by blaming his childhood mishaps on the doll. According to local folklore, the doll has caused "car accidents, broken bones, job loss, divorce and a cornucopia of other misfortunes", and museum visitors supposedly experience "post-visit misfortunes" for "failing to respect Robert".[3]

In popular culture

  • The doll was exhibited at TapsCON, a convention hosted by The Atlantic Paranormal Society held in Clearwater, Florida, in May 2008, marking the first time that it had left Key West, Florida, in its then-104 years of existence.[9]
  • In October 2015, the doll was taken to Las Vegas for a Travel Channel television program in Zak Bagans' "Haunted Museum."[10] The episode originally aired on April 2, 2016, as the first episode of Deadly Possessions,[11] and re-aired on August 12, 2017 as the first episode of the series Ghost Adventures: Artifacts.[12]
  • A horror film franchise loosely based on the legend began with the film Robert, released in 2015. To date, four sequels have followed: The Curse of Robert the Doll in 2016,[13][14] The Toymaker in 2017, The Revenge of Robert the Doll in 2018,[15] and Robert Reborn in 2019.[16]
  • The doll and a replica doll sold at the gift shop at the Martello museum appeared in the second season of Ozzy & Jack's World Detour.[17]
  • The doll was featured in an episode of the podcast and TV series Lore.[18]

References

  1. ^ a b "ROBERT THE DOLL". www.robertthedoll.org.
  2. ^ Ella Morton (2013-11-18). "Robert the Haunted Doll: Creeping Out Floridians Since 1904". Slate.com.
  3. ^ a b c "The Story Behind the World's Most Terrifying Haunted Doll". atlasobscura.com. 26 October 2015.
  4. ^ a b "Artist House - History". Artist House. Artist House, Key West. 2011-03-03. Retrieved 1 December 2017.
  5. ^ a b "Robert The Doll – Artist House Key West – Key West Guesthouse". www.artisthousekeywest.com. 2011-03-03.
  6. ^ "History of Fort East Martello – Key West Art and Historical Society". kwahs.org. Archived from the original on 2019-01-14. Retrieved 2017-11-29.
  7. ^ "Fort East Martello Museum (Key West, FL): Top Tips Before You Go (with Photos) – TripAdvisor". www.tripadvisor.com.
  8. ^ "Halloween Story The Legend of Robert the Doll". floridakeystreasures.com. 4 November 2017.
  9. ^ Weikle, Harlan (22 July 2018). "TAPS hunts for things that go bump in the night". TBNweekly. BLOX Content Management System. Archived from the original on 25 December 2018. Retrieved 1 December 2017.
  10. ^ Shaughnessy, Carol (29 October 2015). "Robert the Doll Goes to Vegas". Key Voices. The Florida Keys & Key West. The Monroe County Tourist Development Council. Archived from the original on 25 December 2018. Retrieved 1 December 2017.
  11. ^ "Deadly Possessions | TV Guide". TVGuide.com. Retrieved 2020-01-18.
  12. ^ "Ghost Adventures: Artifacts | TV Guide". TVGuide.com. Retrieved 2020-01-18.
  13. ^ "The Curse of Robert the Doll (2016)". Rotten Tomatoes. Fandango. Retrieved 1 December 2017.
  14. ^ "THE CURSE OF ROBERT THE DOLL". British Board of Film Classification. Retrieved 1 December 2017.
  15. ^ Phalin, Mike (22 March 2018). "Filmmaker Andrew Jones Talks Killer Dolls, Jurassic Terrors, and Nazi Werewolves". Fanbolt. Retrieved 5 April 2018.
  16. ^ HorrorO (5 April 2019). ""Robert Reborn" Unleashes First Trailer". PromoteHorror.com. Retrieved 3 July 2019.
  17. ^ "S2 E1, Like Father, Like Sun". AETV.com. A&E Television Networks. Archived from the original on 10 July 2018. Retrieved 26 February 2018.
  18. ^ Rubin, Rebecca (13 October 2017). "Remote Controlled: Stars of Amazon's 'Lore' Discuss Horror Stories, What Scares Them". Variety. Penske Business Media, LLC. Retrieved 26 February 2018.

External links

24°33′09″N 81°45′18″W / 24.552389°N 81.754869°W / 24.552389; -81.754869

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