I found this a charming and engaging little movie. I mostly remember Jane Withers from her Josephine the Plumber commercials so it was nice seeing one of her movies as a further reminder of what a talented child actress she was. I like the ethnicity of the movie and found Jane's Irish accent believable and her demeanor and positive outlook refreshing. Is it likely that a poor Irish girl manages to smuggle her beloved dog across the Atlantic, sneaks out of Ellis Island and upon learning that her dear mother has died then becomes befriended and hidden from the immigration authorities by the household servants? Further that the befuddled young man who owns the mansion where her mother worked becomes her friend and then falls in love with the little girl's shipboard friend and then is adopted by them? Not likely. Sure this movie is sentimental and doesn't reflect the way the world really is (or was) and Jane Withers as Paddy O'Day is cute and sweet and just so very optimistic and all the people around her try to help her - it makes one wonder where such a fantasy world is. But it is a nice place to visit and this is a wonderful family film that both children and adults can enjoy.
Review of Paddy O'Day
