Curse from the dolls Dolls have long been a source of fascination and intrigue for people of all ages. They can evoke feelings of nostalgia, comfort, and even fear. While most dolls are harmless and beloved toys, there are some instances where dolls have been associated with curses and supernatural occurrences. One notable example is the case of the "Annabelle" doll. This particular doll gained fame through the "Conjuring" horror movie franchise, but it is believed to be based on a true story. According to the paranormal investigators who initially encountered the doll, it was allegedly possessed by a spirit or demon.
SF: Can a case contain a demon?
Spells and other actions are performed on the seat to transfer whatever might be affecting the affected individual from their body into something like a healing ritual. 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.
According to the paranormal investigators who initially encountered the doll, it was allegedly possessed by a spirit or demon. The doll's owner reported strange occurrences, such as the doll moving on its own and leaving written messages. The owners eventually sought the help of renowned demonologists, who concluded that the doll was indeed possessed and needed to be exorcised.
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.
Even after the exorcism, the Annabelle doll is said to be safely locked away in a special case in a museum, as it is still believed to be dangerous. This case, along with numerous others, has led to the belief that dolls can become vessels for malevolent spirits or curses. Some people claim to have experienced misfortunes after coming into possession of cursed dolls. These misfortunes range from seemingly harmless incidents like objects mysteriously moving or disappearing, to more serious events like accidents or illnesses. The dolls are often said to exhibit strange behavior, such as crying tears of blood or changing facial expressions. Whether or not these accounts are true, it is clear that dolls have a fascinating and sometimes eerie allure. They occupy a space in our collective imagination where the lines between reality and superstition blur. People continue to be both drawn to and fascinated by the mystery surrounding cursed dolls, perhaps because they remind us that the world is full of unexplained phenomena. In conclusion, the concept of cursed dolls is a captivating topic that taps into our fascination with the supernatural. While the existence and validity of curses and possessed dolls are debated, the stories and legends surrounding them continue to captivate our imaginations. Whether you believe in curses or not, the allure of the cursed doll is undeniably powerful..
Reviews for "Beyond Child's Play: Cursed Dolls and their Deadly Pranks"
1. Rachel - 2/5
I was really excited to watch "Curse from the dolls" as I am a fan of horror movies, but I was left feeling extremely disappointed. The storyline was weak and predictable, with no real surprises or twists. The acting was also subpar, with most of the actors delivering lines that lacked any emotional depth. The special effects were also poorly done, making it hard to take the movie seriously. Overall, "Curse from the dolls" failed to deliver on its promise of a terrifying and captivating horror film.
2. Mark - 1/5
I cannot express how much I disliked "Curse from the dolls". The movie was incredibly boring and dull, with a slow-paced plot that seemed to drag on forever. The characters were one-dimensional and uninteresting, making it hard to care about their fates. The scares were minimal and cliché, with jump scares being the main technique used to elicit fear. The ending was also unsatisfying, leaving me feeling like I wasted my time. I would not recommend "Curse from the dolls" to anyone looking for a good horror movie experience.
3. Sarah - 2/5
"Curse from the dolls" had potential, but unfortunately, it fell flat. The concept of the cursed dolls and their haunting could have been interesting, but the execution was lacking. The movie relied too heavily on jump scares and cheap horror tropes, failing to create a truly chilling atmosphere. The pacing was also inconsistent, with some moments feeling rushed and others dragging on for too long. The performances of the actors were average, but the weak script didn't give them much to work with. Overall, "Curse from the dolls" was a forgettable and mediocre horror film.