"Follow the Girls," Dave Wolper's new musical comedy at the Shubert Theatre, has all the trimmings of a good show; yet viewed a an entity it hardly approaches the rare standard of entertainment perfection. A slap-happy public will probably clasp "Follow the Girls" to its collective breast and acclaim it as "grand entertainment."

It is not "grand entertainment" despite the public and the Boston critics. It is more nearly what Woolcott Gibbs labelled another recent music 1--"a beautiful bore." And to be bored in style you're asked to hand out the better part of a fivespot.

The extravaganza is Mr. Wolper's first venture in the producing field and it should teach him not to listen to the Broadway theorists who claim that all you need for a hit these days is a couple of name stars, lavish, sets and costumes, and unusual lighting effects.

The main talent, is good except for Frank Parker, who should be replaced if anyone seated beyond the first two rows is expected to hear the show's main ballad. Gertrude Niesen as "Bubbles LaMarr," a curvesome stripper, is fine. To her are allotted much of the good comedy material and the only good songs --"I Wanna Get Married" and "Follow the Girls," and she makes the most of her opportunities.

Her rendition of "I Wanna Get Married," delivered with just the right combination of coyness, and punch, may take its place with Mary Martin's "My Heart Belongs "To Daddy" in the archives of musical comedy novelty songs.

Jackie Gleason is a very funny man as evidenced by his successful appearances before tough night-club audiences in Boston and New York. In "Follow the Girls," however, he is given such pathetic material that he is reduced to absurd gesturing a la Milton Berle. The same applies to Buster West and Tim Herbert, with the former faring a little better because of a superior stage presence that serves him well when the proceedings become absolutely moronic.

Irina Baranova is an accomplished ballerina, although on opening night she was nervous and a trifle uncertain in her movements. To throw a few orchids, the chorus numbers are capably danced and fast-paced and Howard Bay's sets are ingenious and attractive.

The story of "Follow the Girls" is something about a stage-door, canteen and three Navy huddles and their attempt to get one of their number married to a girl who is engaged to an unpopular chief petty officer. There is also somewhat of a sub-plot concerning spies at the Navy Yard, a pure young girl and an ensign.