26 Aug 1926 – Lincoln Cab Mechanic Claims to be Brother of Rudolph Valentino

Did Rudolph Valentino have brother in Lincoln?  Frank Fisher, 38 years 1145 L Street says he is the famous movie star’s next to oldest brother. He had been estranged from Rudolph, he said. Fisher has lived in Lincoln for five years, he said Tuesday afternoon, and he is employed now as a mechanic at the Yellow Cab Company. Fisher was located on the second floor of the cab company garage by a Journal Reporter late Tuesday afternoon. The man, whose resemblance to photos of the former celebrity is striking, was at work on a cab. He was clad in grease stained coveralls.  “I don’t want to say anything about it”, he declared with a strong Italian accent, when asked about his mooted relationship to Valentino. “He was my younger brother. I packed my things Monday to go to New York when word came he was dead then a telegram came from mother at Hollywood telling me to stay here, that Rudolph’s body would be sent back to Hollywood.  “I don’t want to make any fuss about it”. Fisher continued when drawn on by questions, much against his will. “Rudolph and I have been practically strangers since I saw him last in 1915 when he worked in a golf ball factory in Chicago. Three years ago, he wanted me to come to Chicago and he said would apologize to me. Then this divorce business came up and spoiled it all for I was thinking some of meeting him”. Fisher did not say what caused the contention between himself and the alleged brother, but left it to be gathered that it was personal and entirely within the family. He intimated that treatment accorded the mother by Rudolph turned him against the famous one.  “I don’t want to say anything about it”, Fisher repeated. “Mother said she would wire me very soon and if she thinks it’s all right I will not object to some publicity. But it’s all up to her. She’s the only woman in the world I would trust”. Further information about the relationship between the Lincoln mechanic and the idol of the movies whose death has shaken the movie world, was drawn from Fisher by close questioning and is largely contained in the following: There were three boys and two girls in the family by the name of Gugliemo. The Americanized form is Glacier. Fisher’s alleged name is Francisco Fisheer Gugliemo, but he contracted it to Frank Fisher Glacier. Rudolph middle name was Valentino and his last name Glacier, it was alleged.  Fisher was born in New York,  he said, and after that his parents went back to Italy where Rudolph was born. The latter was quite young when he immigrated to this country. The father died about ten years ago, Fisher said, and the mother had lived in Omaha for several years, but recently went to Hollywood.  R.D.S. Bennett, manager of the Yellow Cab Company in Lincoln declared Tuesday evening that he believed Fisher is telling the truth when he said he is Valentino’s older brother. “Frank has worked for me two years, and he has confided more or less in me. However, I wouldn’t break his confidence by snitching. He doesn’t like to talk about Valentino.”  Bill Tierman, proprietor of another garage where Fisher worked from last January until last Sunday night, going back to the Yellow Cab Company doubts the two are brothers. “I heard alittle about it here in the garage and I think Fisher maybe a relative in some degree, but not a brother.” Fisher was divorced from his wife a short time ago. Attorney Maggi served him. It appears that they reunited for when sought by a reporter at his boarding place, neighbors said that Fisher had gone out walking with his ex-wife. “They knew nothing of his claim to brotherhood with the famous Rudolph”. Fisher was found Tuesday after more than an hour’s tracing of a rumor.  Walter Eaton, policeman remarked that Valentino had a brother in Lincoln. Given the “horse laugh” Eaton was anxious to vindicate his statement and he called the friend who had told him. Next came the friends sister, sister’s friend, and friends friend. Finally, the reporter inquired at the taxi company and gained audience with Fisher who declared simply that he was Rudolph’s brother. Biographical sketches of Valentino mentioned a brother and sister in Italy, but none in America.  Leased wire dispatches Tuesday indicate that Valentino’s mother died several years ago and is buried in France.