I learned that Clive Cussler met Margaret Hamilton, who played the wicked witch of the west in the Wizard of OZ, while reading Dirk Pitt Revealed. I had noticed various references to the movie in various books and it clicked.

Some oberservations on the OZ theme:

*Major Tom Cleary and team use the code names "Wizard", "Tin Man", "Lion" and "Scarecrow" in Atlantis Found (40, 42).

*My favorite is is Dirk Pitt's line at the end of chapter 59 in Inca Gold. He grabs a small shipjack tuna and says "Look Toto, we're back in Kansas!"

In Flood Tide (15), Giordino says "This is the first I heard the kingdom of OZ owns a ship." t:

When Al Giordino meets up with Melika for the last time in Sahara and shoots her between the eyes, his comment was, `Ding dong` he muttered, `the witch is dead`.

I agree with Tommy. "ding dong the witch is dead" is one of my favorite oz quotes in clive's books.

Tommy Posted on Jun 19 2004, 04:35 PM

th: I really liked that one!

'In another setting Dirk would have found her quite attractive, but here, she seemed as nasty as the Wicked Witch if the West.' Trojan Odyssey (45)

Giordino says "Ain't it the truth, ain't it the truth." in Inca Gold (9)

The Wizard of Oz (1939) - movie

Cowardly Lion: Read what my medal says: "Courage". Ain't it the truth? Ain't it the truth?

OZ -

Emerald Dolphin description - ' ...and might have been taken from the Emerald City of OZ.' 'Valhalla Rising (1)

OZ -

Austin knelt by the body. "Looks like something out of The Wizard of Oz." Fire Ice (5)

OZ -

Sally- "I didn't know you can read the future"
Pitt - "The Great Dirk Pitt sees all, knows all..." Valhalla Rising (58)

"Code-named The Great Karnak." Sandecker said loftily. "Knows all, sees all." Dragon (15)

The Great and Powerful Wizard of Oz. The Wizard of Oz (1939) - movie

OZ...

Pitt - "Just follow the yellow brick road, and mind your head." Night Probe! (80) snor:

OZ...

While Giordino uses axe on Mc Goon and Mc Gurk, he says "I feel like Dorothy trashing the Tin Man from OZ." Dragon (53)

w:

Professor Chi to Gamay Morgan-Trout :

"Well, Dorothy, shall we follow the yellow brick road?" Serpent (20)

Austin to Nina Kirov - "Aha, my pretty," he said like the witch in The Wizard of OZ. Serpent (49)

"Unfortunately they were very real, and that wasn't the Emerald City of Oz we barely escaped from."

Blue Gold (Epilogue)

"The Spanish conquistadors were the first to hear of a gilded man who ruled an incredibly wealthy kingdom somewhere in the mountainous jungles east of the Andes. Rumors described him as living in a secluded city built of gold and streets paved in emeralds and guarded by a fierce army of Amazons. Made Oz sound like a slum...." Cyclops (10)

Hudson was caught off base. "I swear to God, Jersey Colony is a reality."
"Yes, it sits midway between Oz and Shangri-la." Cyclops (34)

"My name is Dirk Pitt, and my burly little munchkin friend is Al." Atlantis Found(30)

Giordino -

"Ain't it the truth."

"If he so much as waggles his wings I'll divide, demolish, and disperse him."

Sahara (18)

SAHARA (Chapter 48) ...

"Dirk's thrown us a conundrum, a common riddle that Kazim is unlikely to solve. Judy the singer is Judy Garland ... "

This is not a direct comment about OZ, but is a mention of Judy Garland who, of course, starred in the movie.

Thank you, OkieMan! th:

You are *very* welcome! My little contribution to your great work!! .....

SAHARA (Ch. 58):

"Verenne clutched the back of Massarde's chair, hovering like one of the flying monkeys over the Wicked Witch of the West."

Great catch, OkieMan! th: :)

"The instant Dirk played the cowardly lion and timidly submitted to Monroe's demand that you go to a safe house, I knew damned well you were going to jump ship. I am only bowing to the inevitable." Flood Tide (28)

Austin gazed at the shimmering streets and buildings.
"What is this place, the land of Oz?" he said.

Polar Shift (31)

"Once we found your submersible," Pitt continued, "Al and I couldn't very well transport you from your vessel to our vehicle or you'd have been crushed into munchkins by the water pressure."

Dragon (8)

This is one of my favorites! th:

I liked that one too!

Austin gazed at the shimmering streets and buildings.
"What is this place, the land of Oz?" he said.
Polar Shift (31)