Taking Names

Ailing Craig soldiers on

James Bond is looking shaken and stirred.

Actor Daniel Craig was taken to the hospital after slicing the tip of his finger Wednesday in the latest of several injuries to plague the set of “Quantum of Solace,” the newest installment of the spy movie franchise, the New York Daily News reports. However, the 40-year-old star showed the toughness of his on-screen alter ego by returning to the set for work later in the day.

It’s just the latest injury in a production that has been called “jinxed” by insiders: A week ago, a gash to Mr. Craig’s face required eight stitches. The actor reportedly also bruised his ribs earlier in the shoot.

In April, two stuntmen were hurt in separate accidents while filming a car chase on location in Northern Italy. The more serious of the two incidents left Greek stuntman Aris Comninos in a coma with head trauma after he crashed the Alfa Romeo into a wall.

“Quantum of Solace” is the 22nd installment of the James Bond franchise. Mr. Craig’s debut as 007 in 2006’s “Casino Royale” grossed $594 million worldwide.

Soul for sale

Fans of the late James Brown will have a chance to own some of the legendary soul singer’s funky stuff when Christie’s puts hundreds of items up for sale July 17.

The auction house said Tuesday it will sell some of his instruments, handwritten lyrics, awards and grooming artifacts among 320 lots to be offered from the James Brown Collection, expected to take in about $1 million, Reuters news agency reports.

A leather belt with a red-and-silver rhinestone buckle reading “Sex Machine” reportedly could fetch $2,000 to $3,000. Other highlights include Mr. Brown’s Kennedy Center Honor from 2003 ($10,000 to $15,000) and his 1986 Grammy Award for “Living in America” ($15,000 to $20,000). His jumpsuits, many priced around $5,000, are grouped by color with other clothing in the sale catalog. Mr. Brown’s Yamaha baby grand piano and his Hammond B-3 electric organ with Leslie speakers are expected to fetch $15,000 to $20,000 each.

Those figures are just estimates. The personal effects of the late “Godfather of Soul” have commanded prices two, three and even 10 times higher.

Fans with more modest budgets shouldn’t despair. They can consider some photos, handwritten notes and letters estimated at just a few hundred dollars, while other lots, such as an engraved silver plate or sets of cuff links and studs, are similarly priced. Mr. Brown also collected presidential paraphernalia, and the sale will include photos and letters from Presidents Reagan and Bush, as well as a Republican Presidential Task Force card priced at $200 to $300, Reuters said.

Official says ‘my bad’

Cincinnati City Council member Chris Monzel has publicly apologized to Emmy-winning actor Rip Torn (“Defending Your Life,” “The Larry Sanders Show”) for using his mug shot in a campaign ad on crime.

According to Associated Press, Mr. Monzel, who won re-election in November, said a black bar covered Mr. Torn’s eyes in the TV ad. The photo, available on Internet sites, came from Mr. Torn’s 2006 drunken-driving arrest in North Salem, N.Y. Mr. Monzel said the ad was meant to depict a generic criminal and discuss his efforts to “get sexual predators off the streets.” He said the ad wasn’t meant to have anything to do with the 77-year-old actor.

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