Abstract: A magnetic tape cassette apparatus has a holder into which a cassette can be pushed against an ejection slide, to a pushed-in position. A lifting device moves the holder from a position for receiving or ejecting a cassette, to an operating position. As the ejection slide is moved to the pushed-in position, a pivoting catch engages the slide to lock it and hold it during movement of the lifting device to the operating position. Upon reverse movement of the lifting device to a position for ejecting the cassette, a tilting lever engages a lug mounted to the apparatus frame, and pivots so as to pivot said catch and unlock the ejection slide. Ejection slides to each side of the holder may be interconnected by a rack and pinion arrangement having a brake for slowing rotation of the pinion shaft during ejection.