I don't know much about this kid's show from the early 1950's. Although it is interesting to note that it predates the Vigilance Pictures produced series by several years. I was always under the impression that there was no Hoverboy on TV until the HUAC-financed Hoverboy hit the airwaves in 1956.

Like many puppet based shows of the time, Gay Cavalcade seems to have been very minimalist in it's production, shot live on a small set, much like the popular KUKLA, FRAN AND OLLIE.

BTW, if you think the name of this show seems unfortunate now, I've found reference to another kid's show that was called HAPPY BONNERS!

Enjoy the images below!

Promotional shot of series host Orval Allan with Hoverboy
and Chief, apparently ready to duke it out over something.

 

Hoverboy puppet of GAY CAVALCADE. May have contained some asbestos.

 

TV TIME cover from 1954, which finally gave me the name of the show and it's host.
IMDB makes no reference to Allen, so his career in TV must have been a short one.

 

Here's a great one! A Christmas LP with the cast from the GAY CAVALCADE!

Hoverboy, Orval Allan and Chief croon out holiday standards like "White Christmas" and "Jingle Bells", along with a couple I've never heard of. I have to say, the singing is mediocre at best and the audio quality is atrocious. Also quite amusing is Orval's expression at Hoverboy's appearance behind the tree. Is it surprise? Fear? And then of course, there's Chief...

I'll have to get some audio clips in the near future!