Tactic was an NBC public service effort to alert the public about cancer. It consisted of six separate half-hour films, each devoted to an important aspect of cancer awareness as explained by medical experts. The format then presented people from the creative arts who provided a theatrical piece about that particular dimension of the health problem. The topics included: the reluctance of people to get a checkup (with Alfred Hitchcock; William Shatner and Diana Van der Vlis in a short play; Sandra Lee and Don Greslic in a dance number choreographed by Hanya Holm)--the warning signs of cancer (Steven Besosto of UPA and Jim Backus with a Mr. Magoo storyboard explaining the signs; Hy Zaret and Lou Singer performing songs they each composed)--cervical cancer (Celeste Holm, Ford Raines, and Andrew Duggan in a short play; Ilka Chase; dance team of Mata and Hari)--breast cancer (Ben Grauer hosted a panel of prominent editors of women's magazines)--men's attitudes toward cancer (Wally Cox in a spoof of manliness; cartoonist Mort Kelly and Esquire publisher Arnold Gingrich)--and the philosophy of modern cancer research (Steve Allen discussed the topic with a panel of doctors followed then by a humorous skit from members of the Steve Allen Show cast: Tom Poston, Louis Nye, Pat Harrington Jr., Don Knotts, and Gabe Dell).
