A charming film about a rebellious adolescent girl who is sent to boarding school (but nonetheless manages to solve some of her big sister's romantic problems from there), Papa's Little Rascal was well received by critics at the time of its release. One of them wrote: “Full of noise and freshness... Matarazzo's direction, smooth and amiable, makes a special attempt to make a by-now remote repertory appreciated by our rather cynical generation.... the film has brought to light a blooming young girl, Chiaretta Gelli, who, while not extremely beautiful, is truly intelligent and capable. He who recalls Deanna Durbin when looking at her performance, has not wandered far from the truth.”