#retrofilms

ED ASNER IN CIA TRAINING FILM, 1956!

NEWLY DISCOVERED: Suspects and Witnesses, NARA ID 653047. By Miriam Kleiman, Public Affairs

Mary Tyler Moore's Mary Richards shattered TV gender norms. Unapologetically strong, bright, capable, and funny, she was a role model to me and others.

The heart of the show is her often-challenging relationship with grumpy-but-kindhearted boss Lou Grant, played by Ed Asner who died yesterday (whom she called "Mr. Grant" for all 7 seasons).

Asner is well-remembered as an incredible character actor but lesser known as an Army veteran and activist. Searching through our always-interesting holdings, I found this CIA training film of 27 year-old Ed Asner as a brilliantly hostile witness. Recognize these expressions of anger, disgust, and scorn?

See also:

Ed Asner & President Carter, 2/28/1979, NARA ID 183724.

Asked by a reporter about a standout "brush-with-greatness,” Asner recalled this meeting and his longtime regret:

I carry guilt because I didn’t vote for Jimmy Carter in the 2nd election. I voted for John Anderson. I thought it would be a nice break from supporting a Democrat automatically. But I had met Jimmy Carter. I liked what I saw... What he’s done since leaving the office of the presidency has been ideal. He’s acted like a great man. I thought he was a good president. I don’t know why I decided to vote for John Anderson, other than as a way to break my habit. I realized later that the votes Anderson got might have been enough bring Carter on par with Ronald Reagan. I regretted that. That’s why I never went for another 3rd party candidate after that. Ed Asner, Kansas City Star, 2016.

Ed Asner in PSA for HUD, 1978

Artist's Blog #230 - Universal Soldier (1992)

Universal Soldier Follows the Formula But...

There’s something about late-80s action films starring Jean Claude that seems to always work at least some for me when I need a film and the Tubi list just ain't brining that fire. Universal Soldier lands right in that space. I went into this one thinking I had seen it before, but by the time the credits rolled, I wasn’t entirely convinced that I had. It carries all the familiar DNA—high-octane pacing, larger-than-life characters, and a heavy dose of explosive spectacle—but it never quite separates itself from the pack. Starring Jean-Claude Van Damme and Dolph Lundgren, the film leans into that classic clash of physicality and presence, but it feels more like a repetition of a formula than a reinvention of it. Grab your cyborg parts and infrared monocles and let's talk about this one or listen to me talk about this one rather.

Dolph Lundgren Plays a Good Bad Guy

Van Damme brings what you expect: the kicks, the athleticism, and that signature movement that defined so many action films of the era. But here, it feels dialed back in favor of gunfire, grenades, and broader action set pieces. The choreography is there, but it’s not the centerpiece. Instead, it becomes one ingredient in a louder, more chaotic recipe. Lundgren, on the other hand, steps comfortably into the role of the antagonist. He has a way of playing a villain that feels both controlled and unpredictable, and it works here. There’s a coldness to his performance that gives the film some needed tension, even when the script drifts into familiar territory.

A Road Trip of Snapshots

What stood out most in Universal Soldier wasn’t necessarily the action itself, but the scattered moments of atmosphere. A mobile military command bus cruising through open roads, a lonely gas station sitting miles away from anything with a weathered sign promising nothing but distance ahead, and a neon-lit motel that feels like it belongs in a different, more stylized film altogether. Those moments stick. They feel lived-in, almost like snapshots from a road trip you wish you could take. There’s even a quiet charm in the details—an old car resting off to the side, vintage drink cans, the kind of scenery that feels more authentic than the story unfolding around it.

Typical '80s

Of course, this is an 80s action film, and with that comes a certain suspension of logic. There are sequences that simply don’t hold up under scrutiny, and they’re not really meant to. A runaway bus continuing on just long enough for a dramatic intervention, explosions that somehow spare the characters they shouldn’t, and fight scenes where bystanders make questionable decisions at best. It’s part of the experience, but it also keeps the film from reaching a higher level. You accept it, but you don’t necessarily believe it.

Will This Be What ai Infused Soldiers Are Like?

One element that did catch my attention was the underlying concept. The idea of engineered soldiers, stripped down and rebuilt into something nearly indestructible, feels like a fusion of The Terminator and RoboCop. It’s a concept with weight, something that could have been explored with more depth, but here it mostly serves as a backdrop for the action. Still, there are flashes of something more thoughtful, especially when the film touches on the psychological and historical elements tied to its characters. It briefly hints at the darker realities of war and the kind of decisions that leave lasting marks, and those moments carry a different kind of gravity. Note - this may be what ai infused soldiers are like.

Finally, A Movie Where Van Damme's Accent Makes Sense

There’s also a small detail that I appreciated more than I expected—the Louisiana connection. It gives Van Damme’s character a bit of grounding and even offers a subtle explanation for his accent, something that films often ignore entirely. It’s a minor touch, but it adds just enough context to make it feel intentional. By the time the film reaches its final act, it leans back into spectacle, delivering a conclusion that feels fitting for the tone it’s maintained. It’s not groundbreaking, but it’s effective in its own way. There’s a sense of finality to it, a resolution that matches the film’s overall approach—direct, uncomplicated, and rooted in action.

Universal Soldier is Not a Rewatch For Me

In the end, Universal Soldier isn’t a standout of the decade, and it doesn’t quite reach the heights of the genre’s best offerings. It sits comfortably in the middle ground: a solid, watchable entry that delivers what it promises without going much further. If you’re a fan of 80s action, it’s worth your time at least once. For me, it’s not one I’ll revisit, but I can appreciate what it brings to the table and the era it represents.