The Travel Channel explores the haunting curse of Robert the doll, diving into the mysterious and eerie legend that has surrounded this infamous doll for over a century. This eerie story begins in the late 1800s when a young boy, named Robert Eugene Otto, was given an unusual gift – a doll dressed in a sailor suit. Little did he know that this innocent toy would become the centerpiece of a chilling curse that continues to captivate audiences worldwide. Legend has it that the doll, named Robert, possessed supernatural abilities and a malevolent spirit. As the young boy grew up, strange and unexplainable occurrences would be attributed to Robert. Visitors to the Otto family home claimed to hear giggling and faint footsteps, and some even reported seeing the doll move on its own.
Visitors to the Otto family home claimed to hear giggling and faint footsteps, and some even reported seeing the doll move on its own. On several occasions, Robert was said to have attacked its owners, leaving them injured and terrified. Today, Robert the doll resides in the Fort East Martello Museum in Key West, Florida, where he is stored behind a glass case.
The Travel Channel explores the haunting curse of Robert the doll
Dolls utilized in the supernatural are not new, but have gained a renewed interest due to the story of Annabelle and the TV series “Chucky.” Their background stories vary, some claim to be true, but they always garner a response from viewers. While Annabelle is indeed a real doll that is blamed for some scary instances, the movies take it to a whole other level by creating sequels of completely fictional events and even changing her overall look. Chucky is probably the most famous doll, possessed by a fictional serial killer seeking a human host via voodoo antics.
Throughout several sequels and an upcoming second season on television, he has been included in a much larger mythology and involved other memorable characters including his female counterpart, Tiffany. There are many other examples of supernatural dolls or puppets that can be explored, but one that isn’t as well known is Robert the Doll.
Travel Channel and Discovery+ are delving into this history with their latest entry of “Shock Docs” entitled THE CURSE OF ROBERT THE DOLL. The lore is similar to others like him where supposed accidents or extreme cases of bad luck occurred after interactions with Robert. The documentary succeeds more when discussing the history of the Otto family, residents of Key West who owned the doll after bringing it to Florida from Germany. The doll stayed in the family and we get to indulge in rumors of how the doll came to be possessed.
What falters and takes away any credibility are the reenactment sequences. While these would be effective in a Hollywood production, these supposedly true stories rely on jump scares and outrageous events that only the heavily intoxicated would believe. Some of the people interviewed are referred to as victims of Robert without providing any evidence to support these theories.
This may be a fun, late-night viewing, but only to be enjoyed if not taken seriously.
SHOCK DOCS: THE CURSE OF ROBERT THE DOLL premiered Friday, September 30 at 8 p.m. ET/PT on Travel Channel and is streaming on discovery+.
Follow MeJovy grew up loving all kinds of horror movies which is ironic because his parents hated them. CANDYMAN still scares the shit out of him and it doesn’t help that he lives in the Chicago suburbs. He loves venturing into lesser-known exploitation films of the 70s and being introduced to new movies. Along with movies, Jovy loves horror video-games and books, including comics. Some of his favorite franchises include SILENT HILL, A NIGHTMARE ON ELM STREET, and the RESIDENT EVIL games.
Follow Me Latest posts by Jovy Skol (see all)- [Article] FRIDAY THE 13TH – Revisiting the Franchise’s Hits & Misses - October 13, 2023
- [Article] THE EXORCIST Franchise – How Each One Stacks Up - October 12, 2023
- [Series Review] CREEPSHOW Season 4 - October 6, 2023
This may be a fun, late-night viewing, but only to be enjoyed if not taken seriously.
Visitors are forbidden from taking his photograph without permission, as it is believed to bring about a curse. Thousands of letters addressed to Robert are received each year, with people apologizing for taking pictures without asking. It seems that the legend of Robert the doll has transcended time, captivating believers and skeptics alike. The Travel Channel's exploration of this haunting curse will delve deep into the history and the alleged supernatural encounters associated with Robert the doll. Experts in the paranormal field will share their insights and experiences, shedding light on the possible explanations behind the doll's malevolent presence. By combining interviews, evidence, and dramatic recreations, the Travel Channel aims to uncover the truth behind this haunted doll and give viewers an in-depth understanding of the curse that surrounds Robert the doll. Whether you're a believer in the supernatural or skeptical of such claims, the story of Robert the doll is one that will send chills down your spine. Tune in to the Travel Channel's chilling investigation to learn more about this haunting curse that has fascinated people for generations – but be warned, you may never look at dolls the same way again..
Reviews for "Haunted Possessions: The Intense Investigation of Robert the Haunted Doll"
1. Samantha - 2 stars - I was really disappointed with "The Travel Channel Explores the Haunting Curse of Robert the Doll". The episode lacked depth and felt like a wasted opportunity to truly explore the haunted history surrounding Robert the Doll. The storytelling was weak, and it felt like the show was more focused on creating suspense through jump scares rather than providing any real substance. I was left wanting more information about the curse and the doll's origins, but instead, I got a lot of repetitive footage and unnecessary dramatizations. Overall, it felt like a missed opportunity to delve into a fascinating topic.
2. John - 1 star - As a fan of paranormal documentaries, I had high hopes for "The Travel Channel Explores the Haunting Curse of Robert the Doll," but it was a major letdown. The episode lacked any real investigation or research and instead relied on cheesy reenactments and exaggerated reactions from the investigators. I was hoping to learn more about the alleged paranormal activity surrounding Robert the Doll, but instead, I was left feeling skeptical and unimpressed. This episode felt more like a low-budget horror movie than a credible exploration of the paranormal. I would not recommend it to anyone seeking a genuine investigation into haunted objects.
3. Emily - 2 stars - I found "The Travel Channel Explores the Haunting Curse of Robert the Doll" to be underwhelming and repetitive. The episode seemed to focus more on building suspense through eerie music and jump scares rather than providing any substantial information or evidence. The investigators' reactions felt forced and over-dramatic, which made it hard to take the supposed haunted activity seriously. Additionally, the constant repeating of certain scenes and statements became tiresome and felt like a way to fill up time instead of providing new insights. Overall, I was left wanting more substance and less empty theatrics from this episode.