Paddy O'Day is a 1936 American comedy drama film directed by Lewis Seiler and released by 20th Century Fox.
Hiding from the immigration officers who want to deport her, she charms everyone she meets, including the service staff and reclusive young master of the house.
Eight-year-old Paddy O'Day, a friendly and spirited Irish girl, travels to America to join her mother, a cook for a wealthy family.
Aboard ship she befriends the Petrovitch family of Russian dancers and performs a dance with them while trying to hide the fact that she has brought her dog, Tim, along.
Upon arrival at Ellis Island, the immigration officials are informed that Paddy's mother has died and prepare to send her back to Ireland.
Paddy finally collars Tim and hides in the room where Roy, the young reclusive master of the house, is examining his taxidermy collection of birds.
By the time the aunts return from their trip, Roy has changed from an eccentric recluse to a mustached, guitar-playing songster who wears a colorful Russian costume and has a liking for vodka.
Alerted by the aunts' private detective, Officer McGuire arrives to arrest and deport Paddy, but Roy announces that he and Tamara were secretly married the day before and that they will adopt her.
[4] The Des Moines Register described Paddy O'Day as "one of the grandest laughfests of a year", combining comedy, romance, "some clever situations and good lines".
[11] The Pittsburgh Sun-Telegraph called the film "unpretentious, yet constantly laughable … Not a strong story, not even an original idea, yet 'Paddy O'Day' has what it takes to keep an audience in high humor practically all of the way".
… The story, as directed by the underrated Lewis Seiler, moves fluidly along and features some clever comic build-ups and gags".
[14]The Turner Classic Movies review added to this: "Withers comes off as a relatable, realistically drawn, enthusiastic, average kid, and that is surely what cemented her appeal in Depression-era America".