Arriving in Arabia, elegant Elsie Ferguson (as Katherine "Kitty" Wyverne) wants romance, but noble husband Lumsden Hare (as Claude) is more interested in hunting "Barbary Sheep". While he is out pursuing wild game, Ms. Ferguson meets charming Arab chieftain Pedro de Cordoba (as Benchaalal). With his dark skin and jeweled turban, Mr. de Cordoba casts a seductive spell on Ferguson. She imagines the exciting life she would lead if succumbing to his advances. But, de Cordoba is secretly an unsavory sort, who admires Ferguson's diamonds over her beauty; he plans to abduct and kill her
Meanwhile, Mr. Hare meets mad Alex Shannon (as Marabout), and learns about de Cordoba's sordid history. Realizing Ferguson is in mortal danger, Hare rushes to save her. You'll have to trust that the story ends happily, and Ferguson reaffirms her marriage, because the "survival status" of this film is unknown. This is better than "lost," so hopefully a print will surface. With director Maurice Tourneur and his "Artcraft" team of John Van den Broeck and Ben Carré participating, the production must be splendid in appearance. And, film stills show the cast well-costumed, in dreamlike scenes.
Most importantly, "Barbary Sheep" brought Ferguson, an established stage star, to the silent screen. Initially reluctant to make the jump, Ferguson was signed at a $5,000 per week salary (enviable even today), as well as given a top producer (Adolph Zukor) and director (Tourneur). Ferguson and the film achieved critical and commercial success. Typically, "The Motion Picture World" thought Ferguson possessed, "a skill that has seldom been approached by actresses used to the picture camera and its exorbitant demands." And, "Motion Picture" put "Barbary Sheep" at #4 in its annual year's best photoplays.
******* Barbary Sheep (9/10/17) Maurice Tourneur ~ Elsie Ferguson, Pedro de Cordoba, Lumsden Hare, Macey Harlam
