Alexander Black’s "Miss Jerry" (1894). A journalist in the prehistory of cinema

This article explores Miss Jerry (1894) by Alexander Black as a foundational narrative work situated at the intersection of journalism, early visual storytelling, and female representation in proto-cinema. Through a media-historical lens, the authors analyse Miss Jerry not only as a “picture play” precursor to the cinematic form, but also as a cultural artefact foregrounding a woman journalist protagonist. By contextualising the work within 19th-century journalistic practices and gender ideologies, the study underscores the narrative’s role in challenging dominant male-centric depictions of professionalism and authorship. Furthermore, the article delves into the technological and narrative innovations introduced by Black, situating his contributions within the broader evolution of visual communication. The discussion also engages with the reception and touring success of the work, highlighting its cultural resonance during a time of significant media transition. In doing so, the article contributes to the growing body of research on media archaeology and the genealogy of women in journalism as represented in visual media. Miss Jerry emerges as a significant, though often overlooked, landmark in both cinema history and feminist media studies.