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Hi all- I finally saw a tape replay device I'd thought I'd never see. Charlie Douglas' Laff Machine was presented on Antiques Roadshow from San Diego on PBS tonight. This thing has the dubious distinction of "flavoring" nearly all of the classic TV comedies with the laught track (audience or not). It was also famous for not being seen until now. The new owner obtained it when the renter of a storage locker defaulted on the rent, and the locker was auctioned off. A mechanical box, about 1 1/2 foot square, it had about 10 tapes in it, about 1/2 inch wide (I guess), and 2 rows of large round keys, red & black, and an audio cable coming out the left side. Remeniscent of a old typewriter, the keys stuck out of one side. The tapes were visible from the top. It took just a tap of the key to play it, and the sound played until done. There was enough memorabilia and documentation with it to establish it is the real thing. They gave it an value of around $10,000. But, it is so unique I think it is worth much more. -Bruce D. M400 #1221 |