Remember the Night [1940]

1. While everyone is opening their presents, his mom sits there smiling, gathering the ribbons and paper from the opened packages so they can be reused.
2. Perfect transition: John has just told Lee that she can stay with him and his family over Christmas and she cries, “Gee!” collapses into his arms; dissolve to the painting of John’s cross-eyed grandfather. The dissolve to the wacky painting immediately dilutes the potential for heavy-handed sentimentality. Comedy as tool; and, more interesting, comedy as sobriety.
3. Ice-encrusted Niagra Falls. Do they sleep together that night? Preston Sturges hints at it with his dialog.