Abstract: A cassette tape recorder particularly featured by the improved apparatus for insertion, holding and removal of a tape cassette. The apparatus comprises a movable chassis rotatably supported on a stationary chassis and an elongate metal strip extending along one side of the movable chassis and slidably supported by the stationary chassis. A tension spring is fastened to the movable chassis at one end, while its other end is secured to the slidable metal strip. A rotatable L-shaped lever has one end engaged with the slidable metal strip. The other end of the L-shaped lever is engaged with a latching member adapted to maintain the one end of the L-shaped lever in restrictive engagement with the slidable metal strip to prevent the strip from movement under the action of the tension spring, so that the tension spring acts to pull the movable chassis toward the metal strip to rotate the movable chassis into its lowered position during insertion of a tape cassette.