kessler came back to california and became a film and television director. he directed many television films and series. one of his earliest efforts was a short film he directed on the scarab race car for his friend lance reventlow called "the sound of speed". as a film and television director, some his credits include "angels from hell", "the monkees", "the flying nun", "", "it takes a thief", "marcus welby, m.d.", "the rockford files", "mccloud", "chips", "the greatest american hero", "the a-team", "mickey spillane's mike hammer", "hunter" and "renegade", his last directing credit.