Secret agent John Culbertson is sent by the British government to gain the allegiance of the African kingdom of M'Tela. Also seeking M'Tela's resources, a rival foreign power sends a ruthless female spy known only as "The Leopard Woman" to assassinate him. When Culbertson saves her life, she falls in love with the handsome Englishman instead. With her superiors awaiting the British agent's death, the Leopard Woman must choose between her duty to her country and the man she loves.
The Leopard Woman was the first release of short lived independent production company Associated Producers, Inc., who would have their biggest success with the Wallace Beery version of The Last of the Mohicans later in 1920. Director Wesley Ruggles made close to 100 films during his 30-year career, but never came close to the renown of his older brother, character actor Charlie Ruggles. Star Louise Glaum began as a comedic actress, but quickly became known for her "vamp" roles in films such as The Wolf Woman (1916) and Sex (1920). A year after the release of The Leopard Woman, she retired from the screen for a lengthy stage career. Dubbed "The Star of a Thousand Emotions" by movie magazines of the era, male lead House Peters specialized in portraying romantic heroes in such films as in The Bishop's Carriage (1913) and The Girl of the Golden West (1915). His son, House Peters, Jr., is well-remembered for playing the villain in countless "B" westerns. African-American actor Noble Johnson would later achieve immortality with his memorable roles in classics such as King Kong (1933), The Ghost Breakers (1940) and She Wore a Yellow Ribbon (1949).