Taking Names

Just B-cause

Zsa Zsa Gabor and Sonny Chiba joined the cream of the low-budget crop yesterday: They were inducted into the B-Movie Hall of Fame.

Mr. Chiba, the Japanese martial arts icon, and the Hungarian-born Miss Gabor were among 10 artists and 10 films honored by B-Movie Theater, a Web site (http:/www.b-movie.com) that celebrates low-budget flicks.

Reuters News Agency reports that Debbie Rochon, whose films include “Black Easter” (1994) and “Hellblock 13” (1999), won the most votes for an individual artist.

British writer-director Clive Barker, who created the long-running “Hellraiser” and “Candyman” series, received the second highest total, while Wes Craven’s “The Last House on the Left” (1972) won the most votes for a movie.

Smuggler’s blues

Congolese world music star Papa Wemba admitted in a French court yesterday he had taken part in a scam to smuggle hundreds of Africans into France using his band as a cover.

According to Reuters, the “King of Rhumba Rock” argued he played only a small, nonparticipatory role in the smuggling ring that secured visas for Africans claiming to be part of his band, Viva La Musica.

“Lots of people profited from my name. They did everything under my name,” he told the court in Bobigny, a Paris suburb.

Facing charges in France and Belgium, Papa Wemba, 55, could serve up to 10 years in prison if found guilty on charges of aiding illegal immigration.

DeLonghorn

Novelist Don DeLillo will be a permanent big-man-on-campus at the University of Texas, which has acquired his archive.

The papers of Mr. DeLillo, author of 13 novels and three plays, include some 120 boxes filled with notes, drafts and typescripts for his work, articles, correspondence and unpublished material dating from 1959 to 2003, said officials from the Harry Ransom Humanities Research Center last week.

Mr. DeLillo’s first novel, “Americana,” was published in 1971. He also wrote the critically acclaimed “White Noise,” “Libra” and “Underworld.”

His awards include a National Book Award and a PEN/Faulkner Award. The archive is available to researchers and the public, Associated Press reports.

Let the healing begin

After causing a stink with Chicago authorities by dumping up to 800 pounds of liquid human waste into the Chicago River this summer, the normally eco-friendly Dave Matthews Band is hoping to make amends by making a $100,000 donation to two conservation groups to clean up the waterway.

In a statement posted on the group’s Web site, DMB did not admit to any wrongdoing, saying the band was still not certain whether its tour bus was the source of the mishap.

But by donating $50,000 to the nonprofit group Friends of the Chicago River and $50,000 to the Chicago Park District, Mr. Matthews and mates said they hoped to “begin the healing process,” E! Online reports.

“We know that we cannot erase what happened that day, but we hope by reaching out and helping now this will help demonstrate our commitment to step up if we are found to be the responsible party,” the band said.

Planet Paris

Sin City regular Paris Hilton has finally found a place she can call home.

Miss Hilton is opening Club Paris and is also designing her own personal suite. Both will be located at the Aladdin hotel-casino on the Las Vegas Strip.

The Aladdin property was recently purchased by an investment group led by Robert Earl, Planet Hollywood’s founder and chairman, according to AP.

“Las Vegas is hot; Planet Hollywood is hot; and I wanted to be part of the newest, hottest resort in Las Vegas,” Miss Hilton, 23, said Saturday night at the Aladdin when the project was announced.

The Aladdin intends to rent out her suite when Miss Hilton isn’t using it, CNN reports.

Compiled by Scott Galupo from Web and wire reports.