Nelly's Folly is a 1961 Warner Bros. Merrie Melodies cartoon short written and directed by Chuck Jones released on December 30, 1961.^[1][2]

Set in Afria, a giraffe named Nelly captivates viewers with her melodious singing, showcasing her talent to her jungle companions. Unexpectedly, a hunter emerges and is astounded by Nelly's performance, swiftly offering her a contract promising fame and wealth.

Leaving behind her jungle home, Nelly ventures to New York City, eager to explore the allure of show business. Initially thrust into the world of advertising and live performances, she eventually becomes a successful singer and fashion icon, epitomizing the glamorous facade of fame. However, as her career flourishes, Nelly grapples with feelings of loneliness and disillusionment, longing for genuine companionship.

Her quest for love leads her to the zoo, where she falls for a male giraffe, only to discover he is already married. Scandal ensues, tarnishing Nelly's reputation and prompting her agent to warn of career repercussions. Despite attempts to salvage her stardom, Nelly finds herself relegated to obscurity, relegated to foreign film roles and performing in deserted venues.

Disheartened by the superficiality of fame, Nelly forsakes her celebrity status and returns to her roots in Africa. There, amidst the tranquil beauty of her homeland, she finds solace in singing a heartfelt love song. Mirroring her emotional journey, a male giraffe joins her in song, symbolizing the renewal of hope and the triumph of true love over adversity.

• Animation: Richard Thompson, Ben Washam, Tom Ray, Ken Harris
• Layouts: Maurice Noble
• Backgrounds: Philip DeGuard
• Film Editor: Treg Brown
• Voice Characterizations: Gloria Wood, Mel Blanc, Ed Prentiss
• Music: Milt Franklyn
• Produced by David H. DePatie
• Co-Directors: Maurice Noble, Abe Levitow
• Story: Dave Detiege, Chuck Jones
• Directed by Chuck Jones

• "Auld Lang Syne"
• "The Flower of Gower Gulch" (originally featured in Drip-Along Daffy); written by Michael Maltese
• "Voices of Spring"; Johann Strauss II
• "Aloha Oe"; Queen Liliuokalani
• "Columbia, Gem of the Ocean" (aka "The Red, White and Blue")
• "Then You'll Remember Me", from the opera The Bohemian Girl

Nelly's Folly was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Animated Short Film in 1962.^[3][4][5]

DVD:

• Warner Bros. Home Entertainment Academy Awards Animation Collection
• Looney Tunes Platinum Collection: Volume 3
• Sex and the Single Woman