Inventory of the Monchi Aguinaldo/Sunset "Kit" Carson Collection SPC.2024.005
Karen Clemons
California State University Dominguez Hills, Gerth Archives and Special Collections
2024-02
University Library South -5039 (Fifth Floor)
1000 E. Victoria St.
Carson, CA 90747
Business Number: 310-243-3895
archives@csudh.edu
Contributing Institution:
California State University Dominguez Hills, Gerth Archives and Special Collections
Title: Monchi Aguinaldo/Sunset "Kit" Carson Collection
source:
Aguinaldo, Monchi
source:
Aguinaldo, James C.
Identifier/Call Number: SPC.2024.005
Physical Description:
1 box
Physical Description:
.84 Linear Feet
Date (inclusive): August 1943-June 1960; circa 1950s-1960s; 1984; undated
Language of Material:
English
, Tagalog
, Chinese
.
Conditions Governing Access
There are no access restrictions on this collection.
Conditions Governing Use
All requests for permission to publish or quote from manuscripts must be submitted in writing to the Director of Archives
and Special Collections. Permission for publication is given on behalf of Special Collections as the owner of the physical
materials and not intended to include or imply permission of the copyright holder, which must also be obtained.
Preferred Citation
Scope and Contents
The Monchi Aguinaldo/Sunset "Kit" Carson Collection (August 1943-June 1960; circa 1950s-1960s; 1984; undated) contains one
box and .84 linear feet of photographs, event flyers, headshots, letters, articles, tv listings, and other material presumably
belonging to Monchi Aguinaldo, a former movie producer from the Philippines. A majority of the material in this collection
relates to Sunset "Kit" Carson's- a former American Western movie star, appearances and tour in Asia in 1959 including stops
in Okinawa Japan, and the Philippines. Also included in this collection are materials related to the Aguinaldo family including
letters from J.C. Aguinaldo, George Brown, and Sally Revilla to Monchi Aguinaldo; and articles and photographs of Monchi
and presumably friends and family of the Aguinaldo family. Lastly, this collection contains newspaper articles and clippings
regarding social events and society in the Philippines; movie and theater news, listings, and showtimes; a screenplay entitled
"A Suitcase for Every Year"; and a Chinese language movie poster for a Western movie.
Biographical / Historical
Monserrat "Monchi" Revilla Aguinaldo was born December 1915 in San Jose Antique Philippines. She became a United States citizen
in March 1958. She was married to Tristam Brown until he passed away in March 1947. They had one son, George Anthony Brown
born January 25, 1944. In January 1949, Monchi married James C. Aguinaldo, a naval architect. Monchi was a movie producer
in the Philippines and produced Sunset "Kit" Carson's show when he appeared at the Kadena Officers Club in Okinawa Japan in
August 1959. Sunset Carson (November 12, 1920-May 1, 1990), born Winifried Maurice Harrison, or Michael Harrison was an American
Western movie actor in the 1940s.
Sources: Ancestry.com; Wikipedia.com; Monchi Aguinaldo/Sunset "Kit" Carson Collection
Subjects and Indexing Terms
Actors
Western films
Okinawa-shi (Japan)
Philippines
Carson, Sunset
Aguinaldo, Monchi
Aguinaldo, James C.
box 1, folder 1
"Have Rifle Will Travel" posters, cards, envelope; Carson headshots
circa 1950s
box 1, folder 2
Okinawa shows-memorabilia; photographs
August 1959; circa 1959
Scope and Contents
Contains: "Have Rife Will Travel" Sponsored by USARYIS NCO Clubs, Okinawa Club Fan Club cards; 313th Skyblazer Air Division
newspaper Vol. 2, No. 6 August 28, 1959 featuring article "Sunset Carson Featured at Kadena Airmens Club"; Kadena Officers'
Club 'Schedule of Events' August-September 1959; Sunset 'Kit' Carson and his horse Cactus appearing in person at Kadena Airmen's
Club [flyer]; photographs of Carson at Koza Hospital Okinawa, with Mercy Tigers little league team, and with Col. Glenn T.
Eagleston base commander Kadena Air Base; honorary member staff noncommissioned officers' club 3rd marine divison FMF [card];
Kadena Officers' Open Mess empty envelope; and Hotel Ryukyu empty envelope.
box 1, folder 3
Philippines- appearances; photographs
August 1959; circa 1959
Scope and Contents
Contains: flyers for in-person appearances; dinner ticket honoring "the most worshipful grand master and officers Grand Lodge
of the Philippines F & A.M. at Castle Terrace"; empty envelope addressed to Carson at the Hotel Filipins; Araneta Films Incorporated
[empty envelope, unaddressed]; photographs of Carson, Aguinaldo and Philippine Constabulary at 58th PC Anniversary.
box 1, folder 4
Material related to travel and other performances
October 1959; undated
Scope and Contents
Contains: Hotel Capitol Kowloon bill; promotional photograph of Carson autographed to George Brown; letter of appreciation
from Lewis B. Meng to Carson regarding Washington Heights Theater benefit performance; Tachikawa Air Base [blank letterhead];
Daibutsu [postcard]; Yamaoka Fur Company business card; Dai-ichi Hotel, Tokyo [postcard]; "You're Invited Annual Family Picnic"
featuring "Kit" Carson [flyer]
box 1, folder 5
Sunset "Kit" Carson- photographs from appearances
1954; circa 1950s
Scope and Contents
Includes photograph taken at the Coconut Grove, Ambassador Hotel during "Outstanding Motion Picture Achievements of 1954"
presentation photograph of Carson, Aguinaldo, and others; photograph of Carson and Chinese movie star, Mona Fong; photographs
presumably for some fundraiser to help the people of Nagoya; and other photographs taken at events and appearances. Some photographs
are stamped courtesy of "Pacific Stars and Stripes".
box 1, folder 6
Sunset "Kit" Carson- articles and clippings from
Japan Times,
Morning Star Okinawa, and
Manila Times most related to appearances in Okinawa and Philippines
May, August, September 1959
box 1, folder 7
Clippings- TV listings mostly regarding showings of Carson movies, and Westerns
October 1959-June 1960
box 1, folder 8
Monchi Aguinaldo- bank statements, marriage, death, and birth certificates
August 1943, January 1944, March 1945, March 1947, June 1953
Language of Material: English, Tagalog.
Scope and Contents
birth certificate for Monchi Aguinaldo and Tristan Brown's child (presumably George Anthony Brown); death certificate for
Tristam Brown; baptism notice for George Anthony Brown; Tristam B. Brown certificate of cremation; marriage contract between
Tristam Burgess Brown and Monserrat (Monchi) Revilla; mostly blank alien registration card (only contains registration number)
box 1, folder 9
Letters- J.C. Aguinaldo to Monchi Aguinaldo
March-June, August 1953
Physical Description: 16 items
Scope and Contents
These letters were sent while J.C. (James) was in Los Angeles and Monchi was in the Philippines. In the letters J.C. provides
updates on George in school including how he made altar boy, how he was getting too big for his bicycle; and he wonders where
Monchi's letters are and why she isn't writing. He also provides updates on acquaintances such as Jimmy from "Jimmy's Market";
an upcoming trip to the Philippines; acquaintances sending money to the Philippines; sending and receiving packages; George's
report card; the weather; gatherings with friends; expresses concern that she has not written him back yet; visiting George
during parents day; visiting George when he was ill; and wondering how she is doing in Manila.
box 1, folder 10
Letters- George Brown to Monchi Aguinaldo
March-April 1953
Physical Description: 5 items
Scope and Contents
Letters were sent from Brown to his mother Aguinaldo in the Philippines while he was at St. John Bosco School for Boys in
Bellflower, CA. In the letters, Brown thanks her for gifts, wonders when he will get to go to the Philippines, asks where
her letters are, and writes her a poem.
box 1, folder 11
Letters- Sally Revilla to Monchi Aguinaldo
March, May 1953
Physical Description: 2 items
Scope and Contents
In these letters Sally updates Monchi on what she has been doing; asks her to send a dress; and provides a listing of the
items that Monchi asked Sally to get for her including bags, dresses, and trinkets.
box 1, folder 12
Letters- general file
December 1952, April-August 1953, October 1954, February 1984
Physical Description: 14 items
Scope and Contents
Letter from Janet Burahain to Monchi regarding her mother's illness and passing; American Consul letter regarding James Aguinaldo's
position as a naval architect and annual salary; letter from "James" to Monchi regarding her visit to Manila and how he is
looking forward to seeing her; letter from Marian Keeny to Carmelita Cerbo updating her on recent events; Willie Mathews to
Monchi regarding 3-D systems; Joe Illarmo to Monchi regarding affidavits he needs; as well as letters regarding obtaining
a tax clearance, picking up a visa, real estate taxes, condo payments, and others.
box 1, folder 13
Photographs
1936, 1949, 1955; undated
Scope and Contents
Includes photographs of Monchi and Sunset Carson presumably at a dinner party; school class photograph taken in Oshkosh Wisconsin
(March 1936); Bambino Revilla and Rev. Fr. Ramon Perez (Principal); arrival of historic bell from the National Shrine of the
Philippine Islands (March 31, 1949); group photograph taken during a banquet given by the Solomon Lodge; passport sized photograph
of "Ling Ling"; photograph "taken at Benloy's cousin's married daughter '55 Xmas"; other photographs of Monchi and presumably
her friends and family.
box 1, folder 14
Aguinaldo Family- articles
January 28, 1959; August 15, 1967; undated
Scope and Contents
Includes
Philippine News photograph "Search for Modern Maria Clara Launched in L.A." featuring group photograph with Monchi;
Kisplap Graphic photograph of Monci Aguinaldo with Richard 'Buddy' Rodgers and J. Amado Araneta for article entitled "Prospects of P.I. Cinema"
by George N Fenin; "C.J. Aguinaldo U.S.N. Naval Architect and Marine Engineer" clipping
box 1, folder 15
Movie poster for Western film
circa 1940s-1950s
Language of Material: Chinese.
box 1, folder 16
"A Suitcase for Every Year" screenplay
undated
box 1, folder 17
Clippings regarding theater, movie news, movie listings
circa 1950s-1960s
box 1, folder 18
Clippings-
Manila Times,
Philippines Free Press,
Philippine News,
Kisplap Graphic
January, May 1959; circa 1950s-1960s
Scope and Contents
Includes articles mostly related to various social events and gatherings in the Philippine movie industry. Also includes article
"Lieut. Gen. Manuel F. Cabal, The New Command" by Eulogio M. Dua.
box 1, folder 19
Clippings in tagalong
circa 1950s-1960s
Language of Material: Tagalog.
