What 1964 French comedy was the Mustang's first movie appearance?

The 1964 French comedy The Troops of St. Tropez was the Mustang’s first movie appearance. Its original French title is Le Gendarme de Saint-Tropez, and it stars Louis de Funès as a police officer in the seaside resort.

A red 1964.5 Mustang convertible appears as part of the plot involving Nicole Cruchot and her friends. The car was still a new and unusual sight in Europe, making it an effective symbol of American style and youthful freedom. The film’s release came before the Mustang’s better-known appearance in the James Bond film Goldfinger.

Goldfinger is the common mix-up: it was the Mustang’s second feature-film appearance in 1964, not its first. The Troops of St. Tropez also launched the popular Gendarme film series, which eventually produced five sequels and became one of France’s notable comedy franchises.