I am adding a modal view using the following code:

[self presentModalViewController:phrasesEditor animated:YES];

How can I make the modal view semi-transparent so that the superview "shines" through?

My complete method/function looks like this:

-(IBAction)showEditPhrases:(id)sender{
    PhrasesViewController *phrasesEditor = [[PhrasesViewController alloc] initWithNibName:@"PhrasesViewController" bundle:nil];
    phrasesEditor.modalTransitionStyle = UIModalTransitionStyleCrossDissolve;
    [phrasesEditor.view setAlpha: 0.5];
    [phrasesEditor.view setBackgroundColor: [UIColor clearColor]];
    [self presentModalViewController:phrasesEditor animated:YES];
    [phrasesEditor release];
}