Haunted Doll

A haunted doll is a handmade or manufactured doll or stuffed animal that is claimed to be cursed or possessed in some way.

History

According to Linda Rodriguez McRobbie, the concept of malevolent dolls gained attention in the 20th century when film and entertainment technology was able to realistically portray "safely inanimate" dolls as "dangerously animate". McRobbie cites examples such as the 1936 film ''The Devil-Doll'' by Tod Browning, the Living Doll episode of the TV series '' Twilight Zone'', the clown doll from the film ''Poltergeist'', the Chucky doll featured in the '' Child's Play'' film franchise, as well as "B-movie variations on the homicidal doll theme" such as ''Dolly Dearest'', ''Demonic Toys'', and ''Blood Dolls''. More recently, a character based on the doll named Annabelle owned by Ed and Lorraine Warren has been featured in ''The Conjuring'' series of films.

The popularity of films and entertainment about haunted dolls has resulted in the sale of dolls claimed to be haunted on eBay, Amazon, Etsy and many other sites. According to Katherine Carlson of ''The New Yorker'', sales listings are often accompanied by claims of paranormal phenomena associated with the doll. Carlson wrote that such dolls bring with them a certain fascination that a regular doll does not, since "a haunted doll requires proof — or at least enough of a backstory that a prospective buyer can embrace the possibility of the supernatural".

According to folklore professor Libby Tucker, "Ghost tours, ads for haunted hotels, and other monetary transactions build on preexisting beliefs and narratives. The fact that people buy and sell ghostly materials takes nothing away from these materials’ value for folklore researchers, which is considerable".

Notable haunted dolls

A number of supposedly haunted dolls have appeared in popular culture in recent years.

Robert

Robert is a doll claimed to be possessed by spirits that is on display at the East Martello Museum in Key West, Florida, that was once owned by Key West painter and author Robert Eugene Otto.

Annabelle

Annabelle is a Raggedy Ann doll alleged by Ed and Lorraine Warren to be haunted and displayed in The Warren's Occult Museum in Monroe, Connecticut, the United States. The doll served as the inspiration for the films ''The Conjuring'' and '' Annabelle''.

Letta the Doll

Kerry Walton, of Brisbane, Queensland, Australia has appeared on a number of television programs with a doll he claims to have found while visiting an abandoned building in 1972 in
Wagga Wagga, Australia. According to Walton, he named the doll "Letta Me Out" because of its supposedly supernatural characteristics. Walton claims that people have seen the doll move in front of them, and that the doll has left visible scuff marks around the house.

Okiku

According to modern Japanese folklore, in 1918, a teenager named Eikichi Suzuki purchased a large doll from Hokkaido for his younger sister, Okiku, who gave the doll her name. When Okiku died, her family came to believe that Okiku's spirit was inhabiting the doll and the hair on the doll was growing. The doll resides in Mannenji Temple in Hokkaido, where it is claimed that a priest regularly trims Okiku's still-growing hair.

Mandy

Made in England or Germany between 1910 and 1920, Mandy is a porcelain baby doll donated to the Quesnel Museum in British Columbia in 1991 that is claimed to have supernatural powers: Mandy's eyes supposedly follow museum visitors. The doll has been featured on the Montel Williams Show.

Pulau Ubin Barbie

According to Singapore legend, Pulau Ubin Barbie is a Barbie doll displayed in a memorial temple said to have supernatural powers.

See also

* Killer toy
*Voodoo doll

References

External links

An Examination of Ancient Greek and Roman Witches throughout Literature

{{Urban legends

Curses
Dolls
Urban legends