Prop Man: From John Wick to Silver Linings Playbook, from Boardwalk Empire to Parks and Recreation

Film props are so integral to the cinematic experience that any minor flaw, whether perceived or actual, can irrevocably sever the audience’s illusory connection and derail the movie. Enter MacDonald, the eponymous prop man, whose skillful work for more than 100 films (The Hateful Eight; John Wick) and television series (Boardwalk Empire; The Plot Against America) is on lavish photographic display here. In an interview with former New York Times art director Heller (who wrote most of the text, including an introduction that examines MacDonald’s life and career), the prop master discloses revelatory tricks of the trade. An essay by MacDonald explores the creation of one of his most intricate props, the Book of Secrets for the movie National Treasure: Book of Secrets. The text is slight, and the real star of the show is the plethora of prop photographs and illustrations divided among sections for books, documents, illustrations, packaging, and periodicals. As with many titles from Princeton Architectural Press, the design is gorgeous and clean.