He returned to the US and from the early 1930s to the 1950s, Lyon was exclusively an editor, except for one uncredited acting role in 1932.

He moved on to directing, and co-founded United Pictures Corporation in 1966.

He was credited on more than 20 additional films before retiring from the entertainment industry in 1970.

In 1993, Lyon published a memoir entitled Twists of Fate: An Oscar Winner's International Career.

[4][5] Lyon received director credit on 42 episodes of 17 different US television series in the period from 1952 to 1964, plus being credited as the director of the first year's production (25 episodes) of the Walt Disney production The Adventures of Spin and Marty.