Gene Gene the Dancing Machine was the better known name of Gene Patton. Patton was a
stage hand for
The Gong Show. Between real acts,
Chuck Barris would have fake acts (e.g.,
the Unknown Comic)
schlep for some laughs. Many times his behind-the-scenes crew were pressed into service (a gimmick
David Letterman borrowed effectively years later).
Patton, as the hulky Gene Gene the Dancing Machine, would do a funny
funky fresh dance to an endless loop of
Count Basie's "Jumpin' at the Woodside". Sometimes he'd wear a
Greek fisherman's cap. As the dance went on over long, the Gong panelists would then pelt Gene Gene with various objects.
And Barris tries to argue he wasn't the death of American culture. Pfffah!
Patton, at age 69, appeared briefly in the movie adaptation of
Confessions of a Dangerous Mind. Shockingly, he appeared on screen with his famous dancing legs done gone missing! Rest assured they were not chopped off by
Jamie Farr hepped up on
Faygo Redpop. Complications due to
diabetes claimed both of Patton's legs. The former stage hand retains a humorous attitude towards his "deficiencies in the leg division" (as
Peter Cook and
Dudley Moore might say).
"Surgeons tell me I'll be dancing again soon," quipped
Patton.