Francois Truffaut, one of the most famous and influential of modern film-makers, will make his first public appearance in the United States tonight at the Harvard Square Theater.

Truffaut will speak following the 8 p.m. New England Premiere of his latest film, Day for Night, starring Truffaut and Jean-Pierre Leaud.

All 1600 tickets for the film and speech were sold out early Monday evening, Robert St. George '64, manager of the Harvard Square Theater, said yesterday.

Truffaut, who studied English intensively this summer to prepare for his visit, is best known in this country for his first films, The 400 Blows (1959), Shoot the Piano Player (1960), and Jules and Jim (1961). The French critic-turned-filmmaker was one of the leaders of the "New Wave" movement in French films which began in the late 50s. While some of his most recent films have elicited mixed reactions from critics and the American public, his early films are now generally thought of as classics.

Truffaut's visit is sponsored by West European Studies and the Harvard University Film Center and was arranged by Paul Michaud, teaching fellow in General Education and a personal friend of Truffaut.

Truffaut's visit is the first in a series of film programs planned by Michaud for the coming year. Artists now scheduled include Jean-Pierre Leaud, star of several of Truffaut's films, who will make several appearances next week, and Costa-Gavras, director of political films such as Z and State of Siege.