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Generally, the stars of the 50s put today's stars to shame in the area of affability. Keep in mind I relate these things through the eyes of an extra.
I can only recall one incident in the 50s were a big star was less than cordial, that guy being Russ Tamblyn... maybe he was not so big yet..
During the filming of Hit The Deck at MGM, I was called in for an interview to double Russ. I was selected since I looked most like him except for hair color which was easy to fix. That same day I was introduced to him and was told to stick with him all day to learn his mannerisms (on the payroll naturally). He was instantly disgruntled and disrespectful with having me follow him for the day. It was a very uneasy task for me. Oh and you ask the scene? It's were the three of them (Tony Martin, Vic Damone and Russ Tamblyn) jump into the
orchestra pit after being chased by I think the SPs. It was a simple stunt. The pit had been lined with double layers of matresses. There was no chance for injury but of course MGM would not risk their big boxoffice stars.
On the other hand, all the other stars I worked with were incredibly kind and friendly with us extras realizing how much the success of their picture depended on us. Martin and Lewis ( I worked in each of their pictures in the mid 50s) would always delay a shot if we were close to overtime to make sure that Paramount did not make us work to the minute before OT to wrap us without those extra bucks.
Whenever I worked with Tony Curtis, he always played football catch with us outside the stage during breaks.
One day I was booked on the remake of a Star Is Born with Judy Garland.
Judy was unable to attend having had another rough night. It was a rule that if no camera had been turned on and no rehearsal had been called, that the studio could wrap us with only a half day's pay. The word came down from Judy that every member of the production company including us extras, was to get their regular days pay and if necessary she would pay for it.
As I mentioned before, I played chess with Humphrey Bogart on the Sabrina set. In fact I played chess with lots of lesser stars while I stood in for various shows on the 4 Star Productions lot (formerly Republic Studios).
Student Prince was one of my first bookings. I can vividely recall Louis Calhern sitting outside the stage when I was getting a little fresh air. He started a conversation with me and for the next 30 minutes advised me in detail of what I should do to become an actor. Of course I did not follow his advice....
Robert Mitchum on the set of Two For The See Saw, we shared a joint during a break. This guy was really down to earh. So was Frank Sinatra and on and on. On the set of Friendly Persuasion, Gary Cooper was such a relaxed friendly influence, I can't think of when I felt more comfotable during a shoot.
Whenever I worked Bonanza, I and the other (the real) cowboys always played pitch with Hoss.
And for the couple of years I stood in for Robert Taylor on The Detectives, this guy was larger than life even in real life. He was always the first principal to arrive on the set in the morning. He knew not only his lines but every one elses. He almost always brought his lunch in a paper bag and did not leave the set or his dressing room until the wrap. When a day player was nervous, he took him aside and soothed him. Tige Andrews one of the other detectives became a good friend. When he played the lead in the Three Penny Opera in a Hollywood theatre, he invited me to his performance and introduced me to the cast after the perfrmance taking me along to eat with them later.
When I occasionally stood in for David Janssen on Richard Diamond Private Detective, he always took me to the commissary and treated me to lunch.
You know what, with rare exceptions I have little to say about the stars of today, they are spoiled, egotistical, unfriendly... Before you jump all over me, Johnny Depp, the guys from Wings and a few others are reminiscent of the gentlemen and women of the 50s.
As you can see I could go on and on. I think this is enough to give you the flavor as I saw it.
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I dunno, but I'd rather look like John Wayne than 
