The Eyes of Tammy Faye (2000)

Synopsis: In this quirky documentary, codirectors Fenton Bailey and Randy Barbato catch up with the infamous Tammy Faye Messner (formerly Tammy Faye Bakker) 12 years after the Jim Bakker embezzlement scandal... In this quirky documentary, codirectors Fenton Bailey and Randy Barbato catch up with the infamous Tammy Faye Messner (formerly Tammy Faye Bakker) 12 years after the Jim Bakker embezzlement scandal and the collapse of the PTL (Praise the Lord) network. The Bakkers launched PTL back in 1974 and within a short time found themselves at the head of a vast televangelist empire raking in millions of dollars in member contributions. When Jim's affair with Jessica Hahn came to light, the couple was ousted from the network by Jerry Falwell. Jim ended up going to prison for fraud, and Tammy found herself alone, grappling with cancer, the aftereffects of her addiction to prescription drugs, and estrangement from her family. Abruptly removed from the public eye and virtually forgotten, Tammy Faye has since attempted several as yet unfruitful media comebacks, which are documented here. Of course, there's also the more frivolous side to Tammy's story, such as some hilarious early TV appearances involving singing hand puppets and revealing background information on her obsession with mascara. The film (narrated by drag icon RuPaul Charles) is a campy yet ultimately loving portrait of Tammy Faye, who comes across as surprisingly sympathetic, a cheerful and irrepressible survivor of many calamities. [More]

Starring: Tammy Faye Bakker, Jerry Falwell, Jim Bakker

Starring: Tammy Faye Bakker, Jerry Falwell, Jim Bakker

Director: Fenton Bailey, Randy Barbato

Director: Fenton Bailey, Randy Barbato
Producer: Fenton Bailey, Randy Barbato

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