The Worst Witch is a British children's television series that aired in 1986. The show is based on the book series of the same name by Jill Murphy. It follows the story of Mildred Hubble, a young witch who attends Miss Cackle's Academy for Witches. The series received mixed reviews from critics, with some praising its charming and whimsical nature, while others found it to be lacking in substance. However, it attracted a dedicated fan base and remains a beloved cult classic. One of the main criticisms of The Worst Witch is its low production values.
One legend is that a girl or servant of ‘Bahamian descent’ gave the young boy the doll as a gift, as ‘retaliation for wrong doing.’ The vengeful woman was said to have cursed the doll with voodoo, which filled the vessel of the doll with evil spirits.
Throughout the doll s existence in the Otto house, he was said to have vanished multiple times; and for prolonged periods when the house changed hands. After this, Otto s obsession with the doll appeared to only escalate; while he previously addressed the doll as though it were living, his parents reported hearing a response to Otto s questions, all in an unfamiliar voice.
One of the main criticisms of The Worst Witch is its low production values. The special effects and set design are often described as cheap and dated, even for the era in which it was made. The show was also hindered by a limited budget, which is evident in its often shoddy execution.
The Curse Of Robert The Doll
I snapped a photo of Robert The Doll before reading that he puts curses on anyone who takes his photograph. Uh oh. Surely it’s just a myth, I thought. Curious, I began reading about the doll’s history. In 1903, Robert was given to four-year old Gene Otto, who lived in Key West. As Gene grew up he blamed everything bad that happened on the doll. By the time Gene was married, Robert had taken the blame for a lifetime of lies, misdeeds, and mischief.
Robert The Doll is on display at the East Martello Museum and Fort in Key West
Some say Robert’s face had begun to change by the time Gene died in 1974, that his eyes grew more expressive. People insisted that the doll moved around and could be heard giggling behind their backs. Many who came in contact with Robert experienced bad luck, as if the doll was getting even for all the years he had been made a scapegoat. The curse of Robert The Doll grew into such a well-known legend in Key West that whenever things went wrong, locals would simply shrug and say, “Blame it on Robert.” But Robert’s real fame came when the “Chucky” horror film series (Child’s Play, Child’s Play 2, Child’s Play 3, Bride of Chucky, Seed of Chucky, etc.) came out, as they were said to have been modeled on the real-life story of Robert the Doll.
There are many theories about why Robert behaves the way he does. Some believe it is an ancient curse. Others say it is voodoo. Still others insist that Gene Otto’s ghost has returned to the doll whom he loved so much. The museum cats seem to believe in Robert’s dark powers – they keep their distance when staring up at the glass case in East Martello Museum where Robert is enthroned. People, on the other hand, tend to doubt the legend, and have suffered the consequences. Letters scattered at Robert’s feet and tacked up on an adjacent wall are testimonials from dozens of unbelievers who were cursed by Robert The Doll, such as this one:
Since our visit to the museum, we’ve been under a dark cloud.
I began to develop a rather severe toothache. Two days later, Hurricane Charly cut our vacation short and we joined the parade of evacuees leaving the islands. We were evacuated from our vacation spot three days early with my mouth in tremendous pain. My sister-in-law was also having female health issues. We were all forced to make alternate travel arrangements on the run.
My sister-in-law lives in Clearwater. After a problem laden and horrendous trip, she finally got home, only to be evacuated from there too. She packed up her two cats and headed for her parents house in Winter Haven and ended up in the middle of the storm there. They lost power for two days.
When we arrived in Miami for our flight back to Indianapolis, the plane broke and they had to “find” a different one for us. The following day, back in Indiana, I went to the dentist to learn that my tooth had abscessed and I had to have a root canal.
Last night we had a huge thunderstorm. Our house was hit by lightning – not once, but TWICE! We were unplugging things, but not fast enough. We lost three TV’s and a large satellite dish. The first hit, which sounded like a gunshot in the house, took one large TV and the satellite dish, and the second hit got two more TV’s. Again, the sound was horribly frightening.
Please do me a favor and tell Robert that we did not mean to anger or offend him and we’re sorry if we did. His photo did turn out good, so he sat very nicely for me. Would he like it back?
Battle Ground, Indiana
Hundreds of letters have been sent to the Museum by visitors who beg Robert’s forgiveness and ask him to remove his curse
As for me, well, Robert and I were introduced several days ago and so far I’ve suffered no ill effects. But then, I’m not taking any chances. Like the cats, I choose to believe.
Robert The Doll is on display at the East Martello Museum and Fort in Key West
Despite these shortcomings, The Worst Witch is remembered for its endearing characters and lighthearted storytelling. Mildred Hubble, played by Georgina Sherrington, is a relatable protagonist who often finds herself in humorous and sometimes disastrous situations. The show's message of embracing one's flaws and learning from mistakes resonated with its young audience. The Worst Witch 1986 also featured a talented ensemble cast, including Una Stubbs as the bumbling Miss Bat, and Clare Coulter as the stern but fair Miss Cackle. The chemistry between the actors and the genuine camaraderie they displayed helped to elevate the material and make the show a joy to watch. Although The Worst Witch may not have been a critical success and is often criticized for its lackluster production values, its charm and heartfelt storytelling have endeared it to generations of viewers. It is a delightful and nostalgic reminder of a simpler time in children's television..
Reviews for "Analyzing the Musical Numbers in 'The Worst Witch' (1986)"
1. Sarah - 1 star
I found "Scrutinize the Worst Witch 1986" to be a disappointing and lackluster film. The plot was weak and uninteresting, and the acting was subpar. The special effects were also outdated and underwhelming. Overall, I was not impressed with this movie and would not recommend it to others.
2. Jason - 2 stars
"Scrutinize the Worst Witch 1986" was a forgettable film that failed to capture my attention. The storyline was slow-paced and predictable, making it difficult to stay engaged. Additionally, the performances felt forced and unnatural, making it hard to connect with the characters. Overall, I was disappointed with the overall execution of this movie and would not watch it again.
3. Emily - 2.5 stars
While "Scrutinize the Worst Witch 1986" had potential, it fell short in various aspects. The screenplay lacked depth and coherence, and the dialogues were often cliché and cheesy. The special effects, although decent for its time, were now outdated and unimpressive. Overall, this film failed to leave a lasting impression and felt like a missed opportunity to create a captivating magical world.
4. Mark - 1.5 stars
"Scrutinize the Worst Witch 1986" was a disappointment in terms of storytelling and execution. The plot was convoluted and hard to follow, and the characters felt one-dimensional and unrelatable. The pacing was also slow, making the film feel longer than it actually was. I was expecting a more engaging and magical experience, but unfortunately, this movie failed to deliver.