Homepage Television Heaven Logo
The Gay Cavalier

The Gay Cavalier

1957 - United Kingdom

1950's swashbuckling adventure (in the days when 'gay' only meant carefree, flambouyant and waggish) that took a true-life historical rogue and turned him into a romantic figure, who fought for the Stuart cause against the supposedly tyrannical dictatorship of Oliver Cromwell, in an England torn apart by civil war. 

In reality the Gay Cavalier (Captain Claude Duval) was a highwayman with a reputation for being something of a ladies-man. However, he was a staunch supporter of Charles ll, who was forced to live in exile in France following defeat at Worcester by Cromwell's army in 1651. Charles would eventually return triumphantly to England after Cromwell's death and his period of reign would be known as the Restoration period. 

The TV series was in similar vein to other popular adventure series of the day such as The Adventures of... 'Robin Hood,' 'William Tell' and 'Sir Lancelot', and it's star, Christian Marquand, was joined by Christopher Lee (episode 4), John Le Mesurier (episode 7), Conrad Phillips (episode 7), Nigel Stock (episode 8) and Sam Kydd (episode 8 and 9 -portraying different characters!). Made by Associated Rediffusion and shot on film this series is unique for one made on such a format in as much as not one single episode (shown from May to August 1957) of the 13 made has survived. 

Each self contained story followed Duval's exploits as he tried to retrieve a piece of treasure, save a maiden in distress or thwart a Roundhead plot, and for each of these quests he was to be seen in the company of a beautiful woman. Had the series survived the legend of the Gay Cavalier may well have fared better than it has done, especially in light of his epitaph, which can be found above his tomb in London's Covent Garden church: 'Here lies Duval: Reader- if male thou art look to thy purse; if female, to thy heart.' Stirring stuff!

Published on December 17th, 2018. Written by Laurence Marcus for Television Heaven.

Read Next...

Errol Flynn Theatre

British-produced anthology series along similar lines to Douglas Fairbanks Presents; both were made to cash in on the growing US and British television markets.

Also starring Christopher Lee

Colditz

War drama about the infamous German POW camp and the prisoner's attempts to escape it.

Also starring Nigel Stock

The Yellow Pill

Who is the strange man brought by the police to Dr. Frame? Is he a murderer? How did he gain his uncanny knowledge of Frame's private life? Is it possible that he really comes from another time?

Also starring Nigel Stock

Happy Holidays

Comedy serial written by Peter Ling (co-creator of Compact and Crossroads) made by the BBC Children's Television department and broadcast throughout the school holidays of 1954.

Also starring John Le Mesurier

Sally

A 'lost' ITV play from 1964 which gave Vanessa Redgrave her Independent Television debut is a tale of a disabled artist who is commissioned to paint a portrait of a woman, whose married son she is having an affair with

Also starring Nigel Stock

Shout Aloud Salvation

This BBC Sunday Night Theatre presentation, broadcast on 15 April 1951, tells the story of two young women dispatched towards the latter part of the 19th century to introduce the Salvation Army into a bleak northern town.

Also starring Sam Kydd

The Musketeers TV series

Swashbuckling series based on Alexander Dumas' adventurous 17th century characters. When d'Artagnan and his father are attacked on the way to Paris resulting in the father's death, the young swordsman seeks revenge on the murderer. A musketeer called Athos.

Also tagged Swashbuckling Adventure

The Odyssey 1997 miniseries

Stylish adaptation of Homer's classic tale of the adventures of Odysseus

Also starring Christopher Lee

A Class By Himself

When his stately home runs into financial trouble, Lord Bleasham needs to find a way to raise funds...without his daughter finding out.

Also starring John Le Mesurier