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.
Stevie Nicks and Lindsey Buckingham during the Fleetwood Mac reunion concert in 1997
It is based on the novel of the same name by US author Taylor Jenkins Reid, who has said she was partly inspired to write the book after watching performances of Fleetwood Mac on TV. Even now, we don t talk much, so when those songs come around and are directly involved with our relationship it s very therapeutic to work that stuff out.
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.
How Fleetwood Mac’s Silver Springs inspired Daisy Jones and the Six
Footage of the 1997 Fleetwood Mac reunion concert The Dance is doing the rounds on social media, as fans delve into the fictional band drama that plays out in Amazon Prime Video’s Daisy Jones & the Six.
The new series, starring Sam Claflin and Riley Keough, has received mixed reviews from critics due to the quality of the original songs, and the overly slick look of the show and its characters.
It is based on the novel of the same name by US author Taylor Jenkins Reid, who has said she was partly inspired to write the book after watching performances of Fleetwood Mac on TV.
The cast have also spoken about how they watched clips of the band themselves, with Claflin citing one moment in particular as a major influence.
The performance in question took place at Fleetwood Mac’s reunion concert at Warner Bros Studios in Burbank, California in May 1997, and showed the band playing “Silver Springs”, the B-Side to their Rumours single “Go Your Own Way”.
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Stevie Nicks wrote “Silver Springs” about the end of her romantic relationship with bandmate Lindsey Buckingham. She originally intended it to appear on Rumours but the track was removed by Mick Fleetwood in favour of her other song, “I Don’t Want to Know”.
Nicks has said she was devastated by the decision, telling the BBC in 1991: “I started to scream bloody murder and probably said every horrible mean thing that you could possibly say to another human being, and walked back in the studio completely flipped out. I said, ‘Well, I’m not gonna sing “I Don’t Want to Know”. I am one-fifth of this band.’
“And they said. ‘Well, if vou don’t like it, you can either (a) take a hike or (b) you better go out there and sing “I Don’t Want to Know” or you’re only gonna have two songs on the record.’ And so, basically, with a gun to my head, I went out and sang ‘I Don’t Want to Know’. And they put ‘Silver Springs’ on the back of ‘Go Your Own Way’.”
In an MTV interview the year of the reunion, she explained she wanted the song to let Buckingham know: “I’m so angry with you. You will listen to me on the radio for the rest of your life, and it will bug you. I hope it bugs you.”
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Stevie Nicks wrote ‘Silver Springs’ to ‘bug’ Lindsey Buckingham about their breakup
(Copyright 2022 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.)“I wrote Silver Springs uh, about Lindsey. And we were in Maryland somewhere driving under a freeway sign that said Silver Spring, Maryland,” she recalled to Classic Albums a year later. “And I loved the name. Silver Springs sounded like a pretty fabulous place to me. And uh, ‘You could be my silver springs. ’ that’s just a whole symbolic thing of what you could have been to me.”
She later revealed that the visible emotion and tension in the performance only appeared that night, and hadn’t been present during rehearsals.
“In six weeks of rehearsal, it [performing ‘Silver Springs’ for the MTV special] was never like that…” she told Arizona Republic. “Only on Friday night did we let it go into something deeper. When we went on Friday, I knew we’d bring it out in case it was the last thing we’d ever do. I wanted people to stand back and really watch and understand what [the relationship with Lindsey] was.”
In an interview with the Miami Herald that same year, she also explained that performing the song live offered a form of closure for her and Buckingham: “Well, since that performance I have to sing ‘Silver Springs’ to him almost every day, so Lindsey and I get to do and say things that we wouldn’t get to say to each other in real life.
“It’s like a release,” she explained. “Even now, we don’t talk much, so when those songs come around and are directly involved with our relationship it’s very therapeutic to work that stuff out. This way we get to have closure.”
Performing “Silver Springs” was a particularly special moment, she told MTV, due to it being “kicked off” Rumours 20 years ago.
“I was so genuinely devastated. because I loved the song and it was one of the Rumours songs,” she said. “So I never thought that ‘Silver Springs’ would ever be performed on stage, would ever be heard of again so it, like, and my beautiful song just disappeared. So for it to come back around like this has really been, really special to me.”
(Getty Images For The Rock and Ro)Jenkins Reid told The Guardian in 2019 that the “Silver Springs” performance was a major inspiration for the book and inspired one of the original songs, “Regret Me”.
“That concept of a woman’s right to be angry is absolutely based on Stevie Nicks singing ‘Silver Springs’ at Lindsey Buckingham during their reunion [album and] show, The Dance [in 1997],” she said.
“I have always been very moved by Stevie Nicks singing that song the way she did then.”
Claflin, who plays band frontman Billy Dunne in the series, told Elle magazine that a friend also sent him the performance ahead of his audition for the role: “He was like, ‘Just channel this mate.’”
After being successfully cast, Claflin then sent the clip to his co-star, Keough, who plays Daisy Jones.
“She’s like, ‘Whoa, this is Billy and Daisy,’” he says. “So I think we kind of, in a sense, wanted to channel that through the process.”
“It’s so electric, the chemistry between Lindsey Buckinham and Stevie Nicks, knowing what Fleetwood Mac had been through in that moment and knowing the history behind it and the history behind them as a couple, their relationship, it just carries so much more weight,” he said in a separate interview with MTV.
Riley Keough and Sam Claflin in ‘Daisy Jones & The Six’
(Lacey Terrell/Prime Video)The duo attempted to challenge the palpable chemistry between Nicks and Buckinham during the show when their characters perform “Regret Me”.
“They’re on stage and she basically just turns away from the audience and just stares at him and just sings. And he’s like, ‘Oh God.’ And he’s sort of reluctantly staring back at her,” Claflin said.
“And I think that that was the energy that we wanted to basically bring to that song every time they perform it. I think there’s a reluctance that [Billy’s] having to sing it.”
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 "Terrifying Testimonials: The Impact of "The Curse of Robert the Doll" Documentary"
- 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.