The Thief of the Desert's primary photo
  • The Thief of the Desert (1916)
  • Short | Short, Drama
Primary photo for The Thief of the Desert
The Thief of the Desert (1916)
Short | Short, Drama
Ali Ben was on his annual pilgrimage to Mecca, accompanied by his daughter Zoradi, whom he expects to sell to a Turkish merchant at Mecca. Zoradi doesn't welcome this arrangement, as she has met him before and found him to be a fat, coarse...See moreAli Ben was on his annual pilgrimage to Mecca, accompanied by his daughter Zoradi, whom he expects to sell to a Turkish merchant at Mecca. Zoradi doesn't welcome this arrangement, as she has met him before and found him to be a fat, coarse, old man. She remonstrates with her father for selling her; he replies that the wealthy merchant can furnish her with the silks and fine clothes fitting to her beauty. Ali Ben and Zoradi camp near a water hole in the desert. In another part of the sandy waste two camel thieves are dividing their loot. One of them takes the larger share, and the two quarrel. Said Shrad thinks he has been tricked in the transaction and warns his partner, Enver Khan, that their next meeting will be a "fight to the death." Enver rides away disdainfully. Later that evening, as the girl goes to the water hole, she sees Enver riding by and is much taken with his manly bearing. She watches him in admiration and does not notice Said sneaking upon him. He tries to kill Enver, without success. Enver, in turn, disarms him and throws him into the water hole. As he turns around to leave, Enver discovers the girl watching him with admiration, but she hastily sets out for the camp. He pursues her, but as he reaches camp the girl's father comes out threatening to shoot and drives him away. That night, Zoradi dreams of her gallant cavalier, and offers up a prayer that she will be rescued from the marriage with the fat merchant. She wanders out on the nearby desert. Enver, meanwhile, has slipped to the tent and discovers the girl is gone. Her father is peacefully snoring, and he decides to steal the camel. The girl sees him prowling around, and stealthily creeping up behind him, places the dagger against his face and tells him to let the camel alone. She then asks him why he would stoop to steal a camel when it was just as easy to steal herself. He takes her at her word and. placing her on his horse, makes haste to leave the vicinity. Ali Ben wakes at sunrise and discovers his daughter gone, and thinks that what happened is the will of Allah. Enver Kahn and Zoradi ride into the brightening day, happy in each other's love. Written by Moving Picture World synopsis See less
Read more: Plot summary
Director
Lynn Reynolds (as Lynn F. Reynolds)
Writer
Lynn Reynolds (scenario) (as Lynn F. Reynolds)
Producer
Carl Laemmle
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Status
Edit Released
Updated May 5, 1916
Release date
May 5, 1916 (United States)

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Cast

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5 cast members
Name Known for
Val Paul's primary photo
Val Paul
Ali Ben Ali Ben   See fewer
Suspense (1913)
Myrtle Gonzalez's primary photo
Myrtle Gonzalez
Zoradi - Ali's Daughter Zoradi - Ali's Daughter   See fewer
The Level (1914)
Walter Belasco's primary photo
Walter Belasco
Hassan Bey Hassan Bey   See fewer
Lord John in New York (1915)
Fred Church's primary photo
Fred Church
Enver Kahn Enver Kahn   See fewer
The Flirt (I) (1916)
William A. Crinley's primary photo
William A. Crinley
Said Shrad Said Shrad   See fewer
The Radio Detective (1926)
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