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Most film historians agree that D. W. Griffith was sole director at Biograph Studios during the fall and winter of 1908. No evidence exists that Biograph's The Valet's Wife was directed by Griffith, though chances are he at least supervised the film. Unable to live on the allowance provided by his clergyman uncle, a prodigal young man claims to have gotten married so that uncle will increase his weekly check. Naturally, uncle wants to pay a visit to the nonexistent bride, so our hero tries to pass off his valet's wife as his own. Things get even stickier when the prevaricating young man is also forced to produce a "baby son" -- and the only infant he can readily get his hands on is a black child (a standard comedy device in 1908). Fortunately, uncle has a sense of humor, and all is forgiven.