What a great site.  Although I have my own specific question, it’s easy to get caught up in some of these movie memories.

Anyway, I recall seeing a classic movie (B/W) on the Turner Classic Movies channel in the mid to late-2000s.

I’m certain the opening scene was of the star & narrator laying face down (dead) in a pool as he begins to describe how he came to be found in that state. In fact he may have used similar words to describe his condition.

I think he describes his life coming to town.  I think he may have been a journalist or writer.  I recall he was a bit of a playboy.  I cannot remember much of the movie, but at the end, things seemed to be coming to a head.  He met a woman in an apartment at the top of some stairs.  I think this may have been his true love?  I remember a breathless/desperate discussion involving plans to get away, but he had to delay for some reason, probably the “other woman”.

There’s this vague memory of an older woman being involved, but I just can’t place her.  Perhaps she was his meal ticket?  Maybe she’s the one that killed him?  I think she was very wealthy.

I remember this movie as being full of intrigue and suspense.  I’d love to see it again, if I could only remember the title.

I appreciate your assistance in helping me to rediscover this classic movie.

I saw this movie in 2014 (I think) on a cable channel – I have no idea how old it is, but it seemed old.  It may have been foreign, but I don’t recall subtitles.

It was a dark and tragic film.  I remember a little girl (perhaps 12 or 13) had a very sad life until she placed some sort of plant under a bed (hers, her parents, I can’t remember) then things were better.  The plant involved blood of some sort, and had to remain there, lest her situation revert to the dismal existence.  This “idea” was given to her by some sort of spirit or fairy that she befriended in the woods who gave her hope/vision of a beautiful fantasy land where she belonged (as queen???)

I think the plant was discovered and destroyed (by the mother??) and, of course, things turned bad for the little girl/family.

Somewhere near the end, I recall the little girl running away for her life, but she was caught, by a male (her [step]father??) and I believe was fatally wounded with a knife.

At the end, she laid dying on a stone fence or table when her fairy friend appeared and (I think) took her to the enchanted after-life she had dreamed of.  Something like that.

It was a bittersweet film that I caught midway through.  I’d love to see it again, but cannot remember the name.  Help please.